Darnell Rice - THE CONFESS PROJECT

The Confess Project is a mental health barbershop coalition; an organization that trains barbers to become mental health advocates for black men, boys and their families across the country. Not only is this idea brilliant, it’s working. Our guest is Darnell Rice, Chief People Officer for the project. Darnell talks about how he was struggling with his own mental health and met Lorenzo Lewis, founder of The Confess Project. Here’s Lorenzo on The Kelly Clarkson Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJJRYwH3tAA Darnell was struggling, not living and barley existing. Lorenzo invited him to become a volunteer and through this work, his life started to turn around. He started in therapy and got help. Only 4 percent of mental helath professionals are people of color. The idea of a world of help coming from people that look like you starting in barbershops where people go to talk, socialize and learn about self care. Just as powerful and inspirational, is the story of Lorenzo Lewis, a person who was actually born in a prison, struggled with all kinds of mental health problems, but found comfort in his auntie’s beauty shop, from listening to people connect and share their lives and feelings with each other. The healing that comes from community. Lorenzo put these pieces and this program together. From prison, the power of confession, communication and creating a nationwide movement that goes to where people gather; the barbershop! When you even hear this idea, it’s like a big lightbulb goes off, the idea of training people within communities to be mental health coaches is inspired. And combining mental wellness, mental fitness with socializing, that it’s part of the community and part of everyday life, this is changing the world. Listen to Darnell, listen to Lorenzo Lewis and find out more about The Confess Project here: https://www.theconfessproject.com/ and find out all about Jennifer’s amazing work here: https://connectedparenting.com/ to say “I need help” is a heroic act. There are many different kinds of training and support programs going on through the project! Look at this: https://www.theconfessproject.com/joy-wellness-hub The Joy & Wellness Hub empowers people to become their best selves through providing employment and health resources. Created by us and for us, it is a safe space for our Black & Brown community members to confess their dreams, fears, and passions. Our ultimate goal? Liberation. When there is vulnerability, there is joy. When there is joy, there is healing. Only then can we truly be free. And to date, they have trained over 1000 barbers who have reached 1 million people!