Well, a new year is here and there is so much to do!  New groups to run, new performances of The Fatherhood Manologues, new Men's health Events and new podcast!  I feel very excited by all that is on the horizon.  Hopefully, in the new year The Manhood Tree can solidify itself in the community more and be a resource to the men.  There will be many opportunities to get involved with our programs so stay tuned and feel free to reach out if you would like more information.  Peace!

We are making progress with The Manhood Tree Podcast.  We have been consistent with doing the shows and digging deep into the topics.  We have to remember to take a picture after each show for our blog.  As we approach the last month of the year, we are trying to figure out all the different plans we will have for the new year.  We feel like there is space for us in the brotherhood, fatherhood and manhood realms.  We just have to hit the right spot.  On Facebook, we are posting daily and hopefully that will get us better engagement.  We will be starting The Manhood Tree group online in January and we are planning for a Fatherhood Manologues show on February 10, 2024 (My father's birthday).  I would like the show to go to the next level but I'm going to have to think about what that means.  We are also planning a number of Men's Health events for 2024.  Stay tuned with the dates, times and locations.  Lastly, The Manhood Tree Workbook will be dropping in 2024.  Look out for the ads.  We are coming!  Trust me.  Don't miss the next episode of The Manhood Tree Podcast next Tuesday at 6pm live on The Manhood Tree page on Facebook.

Last night on The Manhood Tree Livestream, we had Jon J and Berthel Johnson join us for a discussion about vacations, wedding proposals, tattoos, and becoming the man we want to be.  To tune in to this great discussion, visit The Manhood Tree page on Facebook to see the latest episode.

Now, is a good time to set up an appointment to see your primary care physician.  Either you haven't seen him/her yest this year or, you are trying to get a head start for next year.  Now, is the time to call and set up an appointment.  A yearly physical is a great way to stay on top of any disease that may try to creep up on you throughout the year.  While you are at it, why don't you set up a dentist check up and eye exam.  You might as well check all the boxes.  Remember, Men's Health is Community Health.  Your health does not just impact you.  When the men in a community are healthy, the entire community benefits from their health.  Be one of the men in your community who is thinking about his health and doing something about it.

When is the last time you built another brother up?  Today, is a great day to shout out a brother and let him know that you see him.  Give a brother a call, post something on social media, write a letter there are many ways you can share your admiration for another brother.  You choose.  Build a  brother up!  We need more of that in our community.  I would like to shout out my brother Wali Muhammad.  I see you out there making it happen.  Keep your head up and continue with your plan.  The doors are bound to open up.  Who do you want to build up?

The Fatherhood Manologues at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church was a great experience in collaboration with the church, Trinity Health, the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association and West Middle School.    After the performance, there was a panel discussion highlighting the  importance of fathers.  The goal of this collaboration is to do more work that will directly impact the Asylum Hill community.  Jim Grigsby a member of the church spearheaded the beginning of this initiative.  Stay tuned, there is more to come! 

This month The Manhood Tree has been on a role with our initiatives!  We have been able to put the  the funding we received from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to good use as we wrapped up eight sessions of our Manhood Tree group with the Hartbeat Ensemble staff.  We also completed a four show run of The Fatherhood Manologues in play form in collaboration with Hartbeat Ensemble at the Carriage House.  Lastly, we hosted our second Men's Health Event of the year in collaboration with UCONN Health, Trinity Health, the town of East Hartford and a host of other vendors.  We are on a role!  Stay tuned as we continue to work with men to deal with their stuff, express themselves and stay on top of their mental and physical health.

On Saturday, February 4, 2023 The Manhood Tree in collaboration with My People Community Services, Trinity Health Men's Health Institute, UCONN Central AHEC, AETNA, The Curtis D. Robinson Center and the Urban League hosted a Men's Health Event titled: Men's Health is Community Health.  Over 100 men from the community came out for Blood Glucose Screenings, Blood Pressure Screenings, Oral Health Screening and PSA Screenings.  We also had presentations from doctors of Neurology,  Urology, Primary Care and Cardiology. 

This event was a excellent start to our collaborations and our goal of bring health awareness and resources to the community.  Men were able to ask questions of the doctors and even register for a primary care appointment on the spot.  It would have been even more powerful if the men were given the opportunity to talk a little about the fears and concerns as it pertains to doctors.  Also, it would have been good to hear from the men what works.  These are two things to think about for our future events that are scheduled on 3.25 and 4/15.  More details to come.

There were a number of individuals that signed up for our Manhood Tree group and individuals and organizations that would like to collaborate on future events.  This is exciting and we look forward to continuing the message that Men's Health is Community Health.

On February 4, 2023 The Manhood Tree in collaboration with Trinity Health Men's Health Institute, UCONN Central AHEC, AETNA, and The Urban League will be hosting a Men's Health Event.  At the event, there will be a variety of screenings and presentations from specialist in Men's Health.  Please join us!

Everyday, men are transitioning from just being men to becoming a father.  Often, the entire 9 month process of making a baby is focused on the mother but here at The Manhood Tree, we have been doing some thinking about questions a soon to be or new father should be asking himself.  When I became a father, I just jumped in.  One day I wasn't a father and the next day I was.  I never thought about what it would be like to raise another human being with someone else.  I was just taking each day as it came.  I believe some of these questions could have really helped me out if they did nothing else but make me think.  Soon to be and new fathers, I want you to think.  Take a few moments and answer the questions below and share your thoughts with us.  For those of you who already have children, let us know other questions that should be on the list so that we can help new fathers be the best fathers ever.  Also, please share.

1. Do you have shelter?
2. Can you keep your child safe?
3. Are you able to provide?
4. What do you do for work?
5. Who is your support?
6. What can you teach your child?
7. Do you love the mother of your child?
8. Do you love yourself?
9. Are you married?
10. Are you prepared to support your woman?
11. How do you deal with conflict?
12. Have you fully committed to your relationship?
13. Have you had all the extra marital sex you need in order to be faithful?
14. Are you ready for a relationship that includes a child?
15. What is your communication style?
16. Is your communication style good for a relationship? Parenting?
17. Have you really thought about raising a child with this woman?
18. How long have you known this woman?
19. What are your thoughts about break ups, divorce, being a single parent?
20. What are your thoughts about deadbeat dads?
21. How will you prevent yourself from being a deadbeat dad?
22. How do you show love?
23. How were you disciplined? 
24. Did it help you or hurt you?
25. How will you discipline your child? 
26. Will you hurt your child or help your child?
27. What kind of man are you?
28. What are your hopes and dreams?
29. What are your hopes and dreams for your child?
30. What did you learn from your father?
31. Is your father in your life?
32. Have you ever talked to your father about your life and his impact on you?
33. Do you know how to hold a child? 
34. Do you know how to feed a baby? 
35. Do you know how to change a diaper? 
36. What will you do when your baby cries? 
37. What will you do when your toddler cries?
38. Your child is hurt? 
39. Your teen has pain?
40. Your young adult needs you?
41. What are your thoughts about saving?
42. Do you have money saved for their future?
43. How much money will you save each payday for your child’s future?
44. How will you make life easier for your child?
45. Are you prepared to be a father for the rest of your life?
46. Do you know, your child should not have to go through the difficulty you have?
47. How will you prevent them from experiencing your difficulties?
48. What are your views on religion?  What will you teach your child?
49. What is your experience with drugs and alcohol?
50. What do you do to relax? 
51. How do you deal with stress?
52. What makes you really mad?
53. How do you deal with your anger?
54. How do you deal with other people’s anger?
55. What makes you happy?
56. Is happiness easy for you or difficult?
57. How will you balance your life, your relationship and your child?
58. What kind of father do you want to be?
59. Who is your fatherhood role model?
60. How will you parent a daughter?  Will if he different from a son?
61. What are your beliefs about women and girls?
62. What are your thoughts about dating?
63. Will you be involved in your children’s education?
64. Are you educated?
65. Do you believe in college or trade school?
66. What do you want for your child?  How will you assure your child succeeds?
67. Are you ready to be a father?
68. Who do you go to for advice or help?
69. Do you have a support group or support system?
70. What kind of dad do you envision you will be?
71. What do you wish you knew about fatherhood that you don’t know now?