Dr. Alford Young, Jr. Redefining Strength: Black Masculinity in Focus

We’re Back – Welcome to Season 5!In the season opener, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Dr. Alford Young Jr.—University of Michigan professor and founding director of The Scholars Network on Masculinity and the Well-Being of African American Men—to explore the complexities of Black male identity.Together, they unpack the burdens, expectations, and societal pressures that shape how Black masculinity is perceived and lived. From emotional repression to distorted public narratives, the conversation examines how these forces impact mental health, relationships, and self-worth. Dr. Young offers powerful insight into how healing begins—not just through research, but through honest, community-centered dialogue.