It has been over a month since the last time I blogged about anything...I have to do better.  The thing is, we (The Manhood Tree Initiatives and I) have been busy.  Since the last time I wrote, we have completed The Manhood Tree group with the majority of the men that work at My People Clinical Services (that's close to 40 men)! We have also been working on the Fatherhood Pole and hope to have the first one in the ground by Thanksgiving.  On last Monday, we started to debut on Facebook and on this website the latest group of Fatherhood Manologues from our summer collaboration with Arts Mentors,  Check out Frederick Douglass Knowles II here.  We will have four more Manolouges debut over the next few weeks.  This Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 10 am, we have our latest "A Little Fatherly Advice" group.  So grab your kids and join in, you can find more information here.  We have secured another round of fatherhood training with DCF (YEAH!) where will be helping them turn 50 Barriers to Fatherhood Engagement to 50 Opportunities for Fatherhood Engagement.  Lastly, in the coming days, we will be putting out information on the 5 Hoods Winter Photo Contest so stay tuned.  I will try to do better with keeping the blog up going forward.  Until next time, Peace!

Brothers, How are you doing?  Before you respond even in your mind, take a moment and really think about your answer.  How are you really doing?  When I take a moment to think about how I am doing, I feel the juxtaposition of being in a good place in my life while at the same time worrying what could happen to me.  Almost every day, I see a video where a young Black man or older Black man is being harassed by police.  I often wonder what I would do if stopped by the police and the situation escalated.  How would I get home?  What would I need to say or do that would be right?  I tell myself all the time that I am a good guy, a "upstanding citizen" but how do I stop a man with ill intentions.  I feel like I still have much to do.  I want to make my impact in the world.  Do something big.  Be someone.  I have been considering going to therapy.  I want to talk to someone who will listen.  I want to (as I like to say) blow someone's mind.  I just want to rant it all out.  All my fears, hopes and dreams.  Right before I started writing, I was thinking, "How do I get more traffic to The Manhood Tree website?".  I have decided that I have to offer value.  Real value.  I would like to use this blog as an opportunity for me to share my thoughts, ideas, feelings and beliefs about my personal journey and The Manhood Tree.  I would like you to join in.  So, Brothers, How are you doing?
Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad
The Manhood Tree

As a part of the Fatherhood in Place Initiative, myself and a number of the other fathers have completed Wood Shop Certification.  I'm the only one who took a couple pictures.  I plan to document as much of the project as possible.  Stay Tuned!

The Manhood Tree has collaborated with MakerspaceCT to create 5 sculptures that will be placed in select spots all over the City of Hartford.  The MakerspaceCT has provided twenty men with scholarships to be trained in 3-D printing, welding, wood working and much more.  Contact us for more information.

Jean Amos Lys, one of the members of the Hartford Fatherhood Manologues team has been featured in the Hartford Seminary's Newsletter for his role in the Fatherhood Manologues.  To read the full article, click here.

Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad completed a seven week session of The Manhood Tree on zoom in collaboration with BSL Educational Foundation on Saturday May 23, 2020.  For the past 7 weeks, the group averaged 20 participants and the discussions were powerful and impactful.  The Manhood Tree is an exploration of the four “hoods”: Boyhood, Brotherhood, Fatherhood and Manhood using the analogy of a tree.  The goal of the Manhood Tree discussion is to allow men to discuss and address each “hood” and how it currently impacts the man they are today or will be in the future.  Men and boys have been socialized not to speak openly about their true self, their issues, problems and concerns; or the ideas, thoughts and feelings they have.  When a group of men are in a room together, the discussion usually remains at the surface focusing on sports, debates or goes to our lower level thinking.  The Manhood Tree discussion is an opportunity for men to express their thoughts about their personal boyhood to manhood journey and learn from experiences of other men. 

The seven week session was so impactful, another group focusing on Fathers and their teenage children has been developed and will roll out in June as well as, a follow up Manhood Tree discussion focusing on Male & Female Relationships.  The exciting thing about the successful completing and the level of participation in the group is, there will be additional opportunity to discuss additional topics, train other facilitators and grow the Manhood Tree brand.  Below, are the flyers from the first 7 weeks and a couple promotional videos.  Stay tuned.