We all know when the topic of mental health is discussed, Black men are often left out of the discussion. Pervis Taylor has made it his mission to enlighten those that look like him on the importance of their mental health. The author and life coach often speaks on our healing and the steps that we can adopt in our daily lives to prioritize our happiness.

Taylor also feels discussion around mental health in the Black community have improved with the help of celebrities such as Kanye West and DMX, athletes such as DeMarr DeRozan and Paul George, and public figures such as former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who have opened up about suffering from mental health illnesses including Bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.

“I think it first begins with first believing that you have the right to be whole. I think for a lot of men, they don’t even know what wholeness looks like. And wholeness, the way I describe it is, it’s not a problem-free life or a perfect life, it is that you now know how to master the things that have mastered you. And so, I don’t think a lot of men have ever seen that modeled before – a man that is emotionally healthy and emotionally whole. I think it first begins with knowing you may be the first to be that person and empowering them by saying, ‘you could be something that you’ve never seen before.’ I’ve become something that I’ve never seen before. My father died of a heroin overdose, so obviously I didn’t see it in him.

As a result of his own trauma, Pervis has dedicated his life to the betterment of one’s mental and emotional growth, so we are so grateful to have him on the show to share not only his own personal story and how he found his purpose in life but to also share with us how he has gone on to empower and help countless of people around the world.

Taylor is especially encouraged to find that he had found a devoted audience of young male POC who connected with his progressive vision of masculinity and emotional intelligence. From this, Taylor soon found himself lending his expertise to the New York City Department of Education, as well as several colleges across the city. He was invited to take part in CUNY’s Black Male Initiative and honored as a “BE Modern Man” by Black Enterprise Magazine. ENSPIRE had the opportunity to have a question and answer session with Taylor.