Real Men Feel with Andy Grant Vulnerability Is Strength: Break Free from the Man Box
Aug 29, 2025
Dawud Wallace, a speaker, entrepreneur, and author of 'When a Brother Needs a Friend Too,' champions emotional wellness, particularly among Black men. He shares his transformative journey from caregiving for his sick mother to understanding that true strength lies in vulnerability. They tackle the restrictive 'man box' and discuss how emotional isolation impacts Black men deeply. Dawud highlights the need for safe spaces and accountability in male friendships, advocating for honest conversations about feelings and prioritizing mental health.
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Caregiving Shaped His Mission
- Dawud cared for his sick mother from age 14 and later watched friends handle dementia and cancer caregiving.
- Those early experiences shaped his lifelong focus on processing emotions and helping others through similar trauma.
Strength Is Facing Emotions
- Real strength is not hiding behind a stoic mask but facing and understanding emotions.
- Controlling and processing feelings prevents trauma from making you hard to be around.
The Tighter Box For Black Men
- Black men face a tighter 'man box' that constrains emotional expression more severely and from a young age.
- Those constrictions fuel anger, fear, and behaviors that persist into adulthood without intervention.
