The Atlanta Hawks and Kaiser Permanente join forces to address mental health among black men at State Farm Arena.

Sports fans know that in the world of sports, avoiding a tough loss is not the ultimate skill. Rather, it is mastering the art of rebuilding and coming back stronger. This was the key message at State Farm Arena on June 6, as the Atlanta Hawks and Kaiser Permanente joined forces to shift the focus from basketball to a more important cause - supporting the mental and physical health of Black men.

This event, called the "Real Talk, Real Strength: Men of Color Health Summit", brought together over 90 men of color during Black Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, with the goal of confronting stigma, building connections, and providing accessible wellness resources. The summit marked the conclusion of a three-part community wellness series initiated by the NBA franchise and Kaiser Permanente. These series were designed to address persistent health disparities and provide much-needed support for a community that has historically been underserved by healthcare.

Issues such as racial profiling, economic barriers, and societal expectations have long plagued this community, and this summit aimed to reduce the stigma surrounding mental healthcare by providing a dedicated and culturally relevant space at a prominent venue. The keynote speaker, Onaje Henderson, co-owner of Zucot Gallery, emphasized the importance of taking action for real change to happen. He stressed the significance of showing up for one another and taking care of each other as a community.

The summit also addressed the "invisible weight" that men carry, as described by Henderson, and encouraged attendees to separate their personal identity from their career achievements. This sentiment was echoed by psychologist Dr. Curtis D.

Jasper, who shared his own struggles with losing his mother, going through a divorce, and facing financial collapse within a span of four years. He emphasized the need to find healthier ways of dealing with adversity, rather than resorting to traditional coping mechanisms. The summit also highlighted the link between mental stress and physical health, with compelling data showing that over 62% of non-Hispanic Black men have high blood pressure, among the highest rates globally.

This serves as a reminder for the importance of regular blood pressure screenings, maintaining a heart-healthy diet, engaging in daily physical activity, and seeking support through therapy or men's wellness groups. Attendees were also provided with information on local mental wellness resources and encouraged to schedule annual checkups with their trusted healthcare providers. The summit also addressed the physical toll of high-risk environments, with former NBA champion Josh Powell sharing the long-term effects of his 20-year basketball career, and panelist Dr.

Aaron Cooper discussing his recent diagnosis of high blood pressure. Powell emphasized the importance of being mindful and taking care of one's body, especially when it comes to the demanding nature of professional sports. The Hawks and Kaiser Permanente have been partners since 2024, and in order to align the summit with the community's needs, they conducted a survey of over 50 men of color prior to the event.

The survey revealed that monetary pressures, mental health challenges, and stereotypes around masculinity were the top concerns for this community. As a result, the summit's panels and workshops focused on financial wellness, resilience, and redefining strength and vulnerability. Alexis Roe, the vice president of Community Impact for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, shared that their mission goes beyond basketball.

By teaming up with Kaiser Permanente, they are able to provide truly integrated support to their neighbors across the city. This aligns with their goal of promoting holistic health and well-being for all.