Eight (of Many) Types of Black Men I Want My Son to Know

Black men are essential. Black men are worth fighting for. In a world that is determined to prove otherwise, it is important to remember these simple truths. As a single mother of a Black boy I am constantly worried and concerned for my son’s life. Although I am trying to make decisions that give him a chance to succeed in life, I also recognize that education, talents and vocabulary may not save him. I could do all the things that are considered “right” by society and it may still be too little to save him from those who intend him harm. The only thing that really has a fighting chance of saving him, in this world, are other Black men. My son needs to see Black men who are not only fighting for him to win but creating space for all Black people to win and a world where seeing Black people win, looks normal. While there are many types of Black men in this world that make a difference, here are eight types of black men that I want my son to know.

Christopher Bruce – The Lookout 

If you think of the lookout as the person who keeps watch during the commission of a crime, you almost have Chris figured out. Through his work as the Political Director with the American Civil Liberties Union (”ACLU”), Chris launched an unprecedented legal observer program that has trained over 1,000 lawyers, paralegals and citizens to document police aggression against protestors during protests, marches and peaceful demonstrations. Chris may look like just an onlooker in the crowd, but he is at the forefront protecting your rights. 

 If you ask Chris to describe himself, he will start off humbly saying that he is just a local black man trying to make a difference, but if you ask anyone who knows him, their descriptions of Chris are far more profound. As a matter of fact, someone once described Chris as one of the best men in Atlanta. Get to know him and you will understand why. Chris is the type of man that you don’t realize you need to know until you meet him.  He is educated, intelligent and easy to talk to. While those attributes are wonderful, they are not all that makes him great. Chris has a history of working with organizations that are dedicated to bringing about change for Black people and that’s because Chris intentionally aligned his passion for helping his people with a career that allows him to do just that. Presently Chris works with communities in response to the Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor killings, amongst many others, by helping with policing and criminal justice reform.  

Chris doesn’t take a stand just because of his work with the ACLU. He takes a stand because he knows it’s the right thing to do, the only thing to do. Chris believes every black man has a responsibility to speak up and show up because they are the catalyst for change and children are watching. Chris recognizes that black men are disproportionately impacted by police, disproportionately denied critical healthcare and health coverage and disproportionately impacted by changes to the economy. He feels it is the responsibility of every black man to take a stand for the disenfranchised because that’s the only way our children will see a better reality. According to Chris, the voice that should be the loudest is that of the black man. It’s no surprise that a comment like that would come from someone who also must be the loudest in any given situation, the lookout. 

If you ask Chris who he is, he will say, “there’s nothing special about me,” even though his firm, the Bruce Firm, LLC, represents protestors who have been arrested on a pro bono basis and Chris has used his own funds to bail protestors out of jail; even though he’s been actively involved in politics for over a decade and brings that experience to the ACLU to enact policy, raise funds and make a difference for the disenfranchised; even though he created and teaches a Civil Rights and Civil Liberties senior seminar at Georgia State University where he is committed to teaching students about the promise of tomorrow. If you sit down and talk to Christ for five minutes, you will quickly realize, he’s wrong. Everything about him is special. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Rennie Curran – The Champ 

There’s a picture on social media of a young black boy holding a sign that says, “when do i go from cute to scary?” Rennie can tell you the exact moment that happened with him. When he was playing at a white friend’s house at eight years old, the friend went inside to get the group water to drink and Rennie overheard her mother refuse. She told her daughter to tell her friends go home to get their own water. It was another two years before Rennie was able to process the impact of that situation and realize that the innocence other people saw when they looked at him, was gone. 

As the son of Liberian immigrants, Rennie had lots of adversity to manage growing up. Instead of letting the anger of discrimination and bias boil over, Rennie, the underestimated linebacker, laid it all on the line at every practice and every game. This eventually led to a scholarship to the University of Georgia, a career in the NFL and later, the CFL. Although Rennie proved he could be a champion on the field, he realized the first time he was cut from a professional football team, that his real success would come from being a champion off the field, and he found a natural niche. Rennie was always open about his background and his journey to football. Because of this, he was sought out by young Black boys who were interested in football. Before he knew it, Rennie was a champion for the success of Black children who weren’t accustomed to seeing Black men in positions of leadership. He became a public speaker, where he could tell his story and reach more people, which inadvertently made him a champion for equality. Rennie found himself in rooms where he garnered the attention of non-Black men and women who had never heard of the microaggressions that Rennie experienced throughout his life. Rennie realized that he had the power to change the perceptions of people who didn’t look like him. In those same rooms were Black men and women who were motivated by seeing a Black man command power. Rennie realized that the greatest impact he can have is being his best self in every situation. This isn’t just Rennie’s public mantra, it’s the code he lives by in his private life as well. As the father of a young daughter, Rennie knows that he has to be a role model at home, as well as on the stages he stands on. His daughter looks to him for answers and direction. Rennie knows he can’t be a public success and a private failure, and his daughter holds him accountable.  

Rennie never set out to be a champion, but leadership sometimes chooses you. Rennie knew he couldn’t run from his role as a mentor because of the powerful leaders he had growing up. The adage, it takes a village, couldn’t be more aptly applied than to Rennie’s life. From little league coaches to trainers to community leaders, Rennie benefitted from black men who poured into him to ensure he knew how valuable his life was. Rennie is able to champion for others because so many championed for him. Rennie believes that if you know what it feels like to be discriminated against, you have a responsibility to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else, but at the same time, he knows that if you know how if feels to be celebrated, you also have a duty to celebrate others. Rennie uses his platform to speak out about social injustice because he’s felt the impact firsthand. He could choose to say nothing, but he believes that any Black person that has a platform that requires him to stand before any other Black person and teach, coach, motivate or lead, must stand up when it comes to injustice, otherwise it challenges your credibility. 

Rennie continues to champion for others, setting off on a journey in 2020 to champion for small and minority businesses. Although the current pandemic has thrown most of us for a loop, Rennie hasn’t let it stop him. He continues to lead through the storm, like a true champion. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Kevin Andre Gooch – The Plug

Kevin is one of those men who have a ton of impressive credentials. He is a partner at a highly ranked global law firm, he is a former adjunct professor at the Emory University School of Law, where he designed and taught a Commercial Lending course. He is the youngest Chairman of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., a member of the Board of Counselors of Oxford College of Emory University, formerly the youngest member on the Board of Visitors of the University of Georgia School of Law and he recently joined the Board of Directors of the University of Georgia Alumni Association. Kevin is pretty impressive on paper, but what is more impressive is Kevin’s passion and commitment that you will rarely see written down anywhere. Kevin is able to realize this passion through the relationships he has created and nurtured all his life. If you were to say that Kevin knows everyone, you may be right. Kevin has made an intentional decision to build genuine relationships with people he has encountered throughout his life. This isn’t just because he thought these people would help him in his career at some point. On the contrary, it is usually Kevin that is looking for ways to help others. Kevin values relationship building because it is a value instilled in him by his grandmother. 

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Kevin moved to Covington, Georgia at an early age to live with his grandmother. She was loving and caring and all those things you expect a grandmother to be, but she was also tough, hardworking and strict. She expected great things from Kevin and never accepted anything less than his best. She made sure he was actively involved in school and the church and instilled in him the confidence to be a leader in these environments. Kevin saw his grandmother work multiple jobs to ensure his success, without complaint or protest and he knew he had to work just as hard in school as she did at work. Kevin’s grandmother was nurturing and kind and seeing her battle breast cancer gave him a greater respect for her and women. She showed him how much women can endure, and he vowed to be a resource and not a burden. 

Kevin’s fierce dedication to all people and specifically Black people has led him to cultivate relationships with people all over the world that he feels he can help in some way. Kevin has not only mentored countless young men but has created platforms for them to develop their talents. He has opened doors for Black boys to walk through that may not have been available to them. No matter what organization sits atop his resume as his employer, Kevin uses his platform to voice his support of Black people, no matter the fight, but because of the success he has attained, he is able to be the Plug for the people that need him most. Follow him on LinkedIn.

Bylynn Hatcher – The Collaborator

You may remember Bylynn from a viral Gainesville Police Department post in 2017 on the heels of Hurricane Irma. Bylynn’s good looks took the internet by storm and although that's the first thing most people noticed about him, if you take the time to talk to Bylynn, you will be enamored by so much more. Hailing from Alliance, Ohio, Bylynn credits growing up in low-income neighborhoods and attending struggling schools with who he is today. It is this background that laid the foundation for his career in law enforcement. Like many young black boys, Bylynn is no stranger to police bias. He recalls being racially profiled and stopped multiple times for no reason, forced to get out of his vehicle and having knees in his back, growing up. He also acknowledges that while “bad” cops were the norm in his neighborhood, he was fortunate to have experiences with good cops. It’s the experiences with the good cops that resonated with him and he knew he had to be the good cop for other kids like him. 

After ending his semi-pro basketball career, Bylynn knew it was time to be the difference he sought growing up. The good cop/bad cop dynamic that plagued his childhood motivated him to pursue his career as a police officer. He wanted to be a positive example for the youth that grew up in neighborhoods like his, looked like him and had the same struggles he did growing up. Recently a Chicago teen told a news reporter that if you bring police officers into a community, they need to be from that community, so that they understand the people in that community and can relate to the people in that community. Bylynn understands this sentiment and he believes that his background gives him the insight he needs to relate to people from the many different communities that make up Gainesville. Because Bylynn primarily works in a low-income area, his focus is uplifting the children in the communities he works in and showing them that there are good cops and good men who make a difference. Because he is aware that perception is reality, Bylynn knows that he can change the perception from the inside. If all young kids see is negativity, they will think that’s okay and that’s how their life will turn out. If all young kids see are bad cops, they will think that all cops are bad and won’t trust police officers. With Bylynn, they see someone that lets them know it's okay to follow their dreams. Because he understands where people are coming from, it’s easier for him to relate and do his job. Police officers have a lot of hats to fill in the community – doctor, counselor, teacher, and sometimes even dad, uncle, and brother. When Bylynn is in the community working with young kids, quite often police officer is the last role he’s thinking about.  

Coming from the inner city, Bylynn knows deference towards police officers is a hard ask and he acknowledges that he has a responsibility as a black man and a police officer to use his platform to reach, teach and motivate Black people. He knows that Black police officers are role models for Black children, but police officers have an added burden of holding the weight of other people’s perceptions. This means police officers must be headstrong and have thick skin to take verbal abuse and the danger that comes their way, while also trying to relate to the people they serve. It’s a burden Bylynn bears willingly and responsibly, but every now and then he wants to remind people that he too, is human. And what a beautiful human he is. When he isn’t on duty or training as a member of the SWAT team, Bylynn serves as a Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Gainesville and participates in H.E.R.O.E.S. (which stands for Help, Empower, Rebuild, Overcome, Educate & Succeed) with school resource officers to expose at-risk youth to programs and opportunities they may not otherwise be able to participate in. 

Because he is a collaborator, Bylynn knows his responsibility to the community isn’t just getting Black people to trust the police, it’s also making sure the police trust Black people. Working from the inside out, he can ensure that every police officer that he comes in contact with is one of the good cops, like the ones that made a difference in his life. Follow Bylynn on Facebook and Instagram.

Sunn m’Cheaux – The Fighter 

Sunn probably doesn’t fit the typical description when you think of a fighter. He’s not going to knock you out with his fists and he’s not even going to intentionally launch a personal attack against you with his words. Instead, he speaks from a place of honesty and transparency that most people aren’t mentally equipped to handle. He speaks on behalf of disadvantaged and disenfranchised people because those are his people. He doesn’t feel he has a responsibility to stand up specifically for Black people, or any of the people he advocates for, because he does what he does out of love, not obligation. He speaks because there are things that must be said and not everyone has the platform or the constitution to say them. 

You may have read an article or seen an interview about the skateboarding Gullah/Geechee teacher from Harvard. You may even follow him on social media, but Sunn is more than the pictures he posts, and the articles written about him. Although Sunn’s story from the fields of South Carolina to the halls of the Cambridge campus is one worth telling, it is not the most compelling thing about him. Sunn is more than his skateboard, although his #dontBSyourself series recorded from the wheels of his skateboard gives great insight into his depth of thought. Sunn is more than his languages, although he credits his ancestors for keeping the Gullah/Geechee language alive so that he could be an ambassador for the culture. Sunn is more than a dreadlocked country boy teaching at one of the most reputable institutions in the county, although he recognizes what it means to every country boy who grew up with a dying language, to see his culture represented at an institution that is held in high regard by so many. He has a depth in his thinking that a conversation on something as simple as the color blue captures your attention and you find yourself hours later wondering how you started talking about the Haitian abolition of slavery. And you’re not even mad about the time you lost, because you gained so much. In a world where so many people know a little about a little or even a little about a lot, Sunn will surprise you by knowing virtually everything about everything. He attributes this to his love for knowledge and history. This love led him to read and conduct research for his own edification and as he began to navigate through life, realized the benefits of this knowledge as a means to relate to people, especially those with differing views. The thing you want most from the person that is fighting for you, is for them to be informed on what they are fighting for and Sunn is nothing less. Sunn doesn’t wield this knowledge for power or authority. He uses it as a gateway to bridge a gap between himself and whomever he is meeting with, giving them comfort in the common ground he’s laid out before them, allowing them to open up and understand a different perspective.  

What stands out about Sunn is how passionately he advocates for what he believes and how unapologetic he is about doing the right thing. Not only is Sunn passionate, he is complex and the most beautiful form of masculinity, which is not at the expense of anyone else. Sunn believes societal views of masculinity has corrupted what real masculinity is. He believes that to be masculine means that a man is so confident in his own self that there is an appreciation for the differences of others. Sunn cares about all Black people, regardless of their background or preferences. Sunn supports freedom of expression. He doesn't allow men and women to attack each other without justification or provocation. He doesn’t condone bias or prejudice. He doesn’t just believe #BlackLivesMatter; he believes #AllBlackLivesMatter. 

The thing about fighters is that they create a sense of security for the people they fight for. So, don’t just see Sunn as a fighter. See him as the safest possible place that exists on this planet. If you don’t know him well, you will read the strength in his words, feel the passion behind his proclamations and know that he means everything he says. It’s intimidating because it is nuanced, articulate, specific and most of all, accurate. You may think he is unapproachable or mean spirited or removed or elitist. You'd be wrong. Although Sunn is as tough and hard as he appears, he is also warmer than the actual sun, softer than the linens lining a baby’s crib and more welcoming than anyone you could possibly imagine. What you might not know about Sunn, unless you get to know him well, is how self-reflective he is and how committed he is to being a better person. He’s introspective and self-aware. The best fighters are the ones that not only know their strengths, but also their own weaknesses. It’s not unusual for Sunn to acknowledge that he’s taken too strong a stance on an issue or that he failed to see someone else’s perspective. So, don’t be surprised to hear this fighter admit that he was wrong or apologize. That said, you can miss him with the BS. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Shawn Moore – The Friend 

Sargeant First Class LaShawn Moore is literally fighting for our freedom. With tours in Jordan, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq, Sargeant Moore has served in some of the most dangerous places to ensure the freedom of all Americans. His time in the military has not impacted his dedication to the equitable treatment of black people. While most who serve in the armed forces choose to remain silent in times of unrest, Sargeant Moore uses his platform to not only promote social wellbeing , but also admonish civic leaders, police officers, politicians and whomever else stands in the way of justice for Black people. He has repeatedly allowed his voice to be heard when the lives of Black people have been threatened. He has stood up for and fought against oppression at every turn. 

Don’t be confused, Shawn is more than just the guy in the military. If you like sneakers, video games and Star Wars, then Shawn is the friend you’ve been looking for. In his free time, Shawn is busy building relationships with like-minded sneaker heads and comic book enthusiasts. As the founder of Kicks and Trips, Shawn encourages Black people to pursue their passions in two areas that are underserved in the Black community. Although sneakers are regularly marketed to Black people, Shawn is investing his time in learning how to craft and design sneakers, which is not a field typically associated with Black designers. Shawn’s life is full of color and he uses that color to make sure his friends smile, laugh and enjoy life. Follow Shawn on Facebook and Instagram.

Lindon “DJ L Bully” Webster DJ L Bully – The Entertainer 

If you have found it difficult to escape the madness going around and find peace and anything that could put a smile on your face, you don’t know Bully. DJ L Bully delivers with a weekly zoom party that is reminiscent of the weekly parties he held before Covid shut the world down. Growing up with a father who had a passion for music, Bully remembers trying to scratch his father’s soca records like the DJ heroes he grew up watching. This love for music led to a career that allows him to live his passion as the official DJ for reggae and dancehall singer Kranium and dancehall singer HoodCelebrityy. Bully’s ability to get you up and moving when the world around you feels like it’s falling down, isn’t the only thing worth noticing about him. Bully isn’t just good with records, he’s good with words, although he doesn’t think so. 

If you sit and talk to Bully, the first thing you notice about him is his energy. He is warm and welcoming and makes room for whomever wants to join. He doesn’t make presumptions. He doesn’t judge. He doesn’t set expectations. Next, you’ll notice his loyalty to those he cares about. It’s actually very hard not to notice because he speaks openly and lovingly about the people in his life; and he speaks with humility, almost as if he believes he is the lucky one and not them. And if you are lucky enough to enter his circle, he protects you fiercely. He looks out for you. He fights for you and he always makes sure you have a place at whatever table he sits at. He is the male friend that every woman wants, and every man needs. And he keeps you smiling, laughing and dancing, the whole time. If Bully is in the room, you may just forget everything that’s happening outside of it because Bully will keep you entertained. 

For all these reasons and more, Bully is a friend worth fighting for, worth protecting. However, Bully is a fighter himself. Although we’ve seen droves of celebrities and corporations making a stand against social injustice, many of us have been surprised by those who haven’t. If you know Bully, you are not surprised to see him take to social media to make his feelings clear, but also open a space so others could vent and share their feelings as well. Never one to be all about himself, Bully looks out for others first, especially those he loves, and he makes it clear that he loves Black people. It's interesting to hear Bully speak so passionately about the impact of social injustice while also saying humbly, that if asked to speak to the masses, he doesn’t think he’d have anything to say. He has used his social media platform to state clearly that he cares, to spread love, to heal and to entertain. Although Bully may not openly tell you that he thinks it sucks that Black people are still dealing with racism in 2020 or that he never thought that when his son was born 12 years ago, he would have to be a part of protests today, he will open the floor for you to vent, make you laugh if you need a joke, cheer you up if you are down and get you moving even if you didn’t think you were in the mood. Follow Bully on Facebook and Instagram or join his Wednesday night zoom parties at us02web.zoom.us/83163355310. 

Quincy L. A. Springs IV – The Motivator

There are not a lot of men who can walk into a room full of the most important people in the world and make them stop in their tracks. Quincy is that guy. From the moment you first meet him, you notice his smile and how all of his attention is focused on you no matter how many people are around. The most basic aspect of his nature is uplifting, nurturing, and of course, motivating.  If you live in Atlanta, Georgia and you don’t know Quincy, then it’s likely you have heard his name mentioned by someone you know. If not for his time as the General Manager of one of the busiest Walmart’s in the city, or as the owner of one of the first Chick-Fil-A's in a predominantly Black neighborhood, or for the countless awards and accolades he’s received being all of those things and just generally, an amazing human being, it’s likely from the work he does in the community. Quincy tries to stay under the radar helping those in need without bringing any attention to himself, because what he does, he genuinely does for the fulfillment of others, but every now and then, someone gets wind of the ways he is shaping and changing lives, and they shout it to the world, as they should. However, only a portion of what he actually does gets noticed. He would prefer to be the man behind the scenes cheering everyone else along, showing them how to succeed and clearing a path to success for them. Quincy recently gave an address on leadership and professionalism at a women’s shelter. The room was full of women who wanted more out of life than the current circumstances allowed. Some of them were mothers. Some of them were unemployed. All of them were homeless. These women didn’t walk into the room thinking their lives would change that day. Not only was every single person in the room captivated by what Quincy had to say, his easy-going demeanor, his jovial personality, the ease of his presence and his ability to soften difficult topics, made them completely comfortable opening up to him, sharing their thoughts and issues and being completely transparent and vulnerable. After the event, Quincy stayed behind and spoke to each person that came up to him one-on-one and not only promised to help find job opportunities to a few of the women in need, he followed through. Don’t think for a second that Quincy’s promises are ever empty. Quincy has committed to filling his stores with men and women from the community in which he operates. He is famous amongst his friends for creating opportunities for men and women he meets at church, on the street or in one of his stores. Once Quincy believes in you, there is no way you can fail, because he refuses to allow it to happen. He will call you. He will invite you to spaces that will allow you to learn and grow. He will come to your house, drag you out of bed and carry you on his back, if he has to.  

When Quincy was General Manager of a Walmart, he met a young man at church who had gotten laid off from his job as a manager for a local gas station. Despite all of his efforts, he was unable to find a comparable position with a salary that would allow him to take care of himself and his family. He was ready to give up. He’d called all of his friends from college and no one had any leads. He went to every job fair he heard of and no one followed up. He’d submitted resume after resume and gone to interview after interview and no one called him back. Finally, on this day, after 14 months of being unemployed, he went to church. And even though every prayer up to that point had gone unanswered, he still prayed. And that was the day he met Quincy. On that day Quincy listened to his story in a parking lot full of enthusiastic churchgoers and focused solely on what that man had to say. Quincy heard the passion in his voice. Quincy was impressed by his perseverance, his experience and his dedication. At the end of that conversation, Quincy asked the young man to call him. That was his test. Quincy knew that if he called, his life would change. Quincy met the young man on a Sunday, the young man called him on a Monday and by Wednesday he had a job at a Walmart as the Customer Service Manager, where he impressed other managers who helped him grow in his career. And although that young man moved on from Walmart and is now in an executive role with Amazon, he still calls Quincy and Quincy still motivates him to reach his highest potential. Follow Quincy on Facebook and Instagram.