Are we truly supporting Black boys emotionally — or just expecting them to be "strong"? Psychologist and researcher Dr. Alvin Thomas joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to unpack the mental health crisis impacting young Black men, the critical role fathers play, and how we can break generational cycles before it's too late.

Dr. Alvin Thomas, nationally recognized psychologist and leading expert on Black fatherhood and youth development, joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast for a powerful and solution-focused conversation about the emotional well-being of Black boys.

In this episode, Dr. Thomas challenges the idea that strength means silence. He explains how emotional suppression, lack of safe spaces, and generational trauma are quietly shaping the lives of young Black men — and what fathers, parents, and communities must do differently.

JoJo opens up about his own experiences as a father, leading to an honest dialogue about vulnerability, discipline, and how to raise boys who are confident, emotionally intelligent, and secure in who they are.

They dive into:
The silent mental health crisis impacting Black boys
Why emotionally present fathers change everything
How generational trauma shows up in parenting
Practical tools for raising resilient, confident young men
Breaking harmful stereotypes around masculinity

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Psychologist and mental health advocate Dr. Rheeda Walker joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast for an honest conversation about grief, trauma, and the cost of silence in Black communities. Together, they unpack why naming pain is essential to healing, how generational survival shapes emotional health, and what it truly takes to begin healing — individually and collectively.

Mental health is often discussed, but rarely addressed with honesty — especially in Black communities. On this episode of the For Good Podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with Dr. Rheeda Walker, psychologist, researcher, and leading voice in mental health advocacy, for a necessary conversation about grief, trauma, and emotional survival.

Dr. Walker shares how personal loss and lived experience shaped her work, why silence around mental health can be just as harmful as trauma itself, and how grief shows up in our bodies, relationships, and communities. Together, JoJo and Dr. Walker explore what healing actually looks like when people are taught to "stay strong" instead of processing pain.

The conversation expands into cultural expectations, emotional labor, and the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability — especially for Black men and women navigating grief without support.

They also discuss:

• Why grief doesn't have a timeline — and why rushing healing can be harmful
  
  

• The difference between surviving trauma and actually healing from it
  
  

• How stigma keeps people from seeking help
  
  

• What doing good looks like when it comes to mental health and community care
  
  

This episode is a reminder that healing isn't weakness — it's necessary, intentional, and deeply human.

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What happens when the cannabis industry promises equity but delivers obstacles instead? Ernest Toney, founder of BIPOCAN, joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to expose the hidden barriers Black and brown entrepreneurs face in legal cannabis—from predatory practices to impossible tax rates. He breaks down what real equity looks like and how he's creating pathways for communities locked out of an industry built on their backs.

The cannabis industry claims to be creating opportunities for communities harmed by the War on Drugs—but is it really? Ernest Toney, founder of BIPOCAN (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Cannabis Network), sits down with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to reveal the truth about cannabis equity programs and why so many BIPOC founders are being set up to fail.

Ernest shares his journey from working at MJBizCon to launching a mission-driven organization that's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs navigate one of the most heavily regulated industries in America. Growing up with a father who worked at a correctional facility, Ernest witnessed firsthand how cannabis prohibition tore apart Black and brown communities. Now, he's fighting to ensure those same communities have real access to the legal cannabis industry—not just licenses, but capital, mentorship, and sustainable business pathways.

In this powerful conversation, Ernest and JoJo dive into:

• Why cannabis equity programs offer licenses but not the resources to succeed

• How predatory practices exploit BIPOC founders desperate for capital

• The mental health toll of leading a mission-driven business through feast-or-famine cycles

• Finding hope when progress feels slow and building something that lasts

• The difference between access and true economic equity

Ernest gets real about the "valley of despair" every entrepreneur faces, the importance of community and mental health practices like running and reading, and why he refuses to be a leader who pleases everyone. He also shares practical advice for anyone feeling locked out of opportunity—in cannabis or any industry.

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