In this powerful episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with the author of Black Cherokee to unpack the rarely told story of Black and Indigenous identity in America.

Through history, ancestral truth, and courageous storytelling, our guest explores what it means to exist at the intersection of Blackness and Cherokee heritage—while navigating belonging, erasure, and legacy. This conversation dives into hidden histories, the impact of enslavement within Native nations, and the emotional weight of claiming an identity that has often been questioned or denied.

We also explore how generational trauma, and cultural reclamation shape the lives of Black Cherokee people today.

Antonio Michael Downing is an acclaimed author, broadcaster, and musician. Kiese Laymon praised his memoir Saga Boy as "singularly dazzling" and received critical acclaim from publications like Essence Magazine.

His novel Black Cherokee has been called "a triumph" by Giller Prize winner Ian Williams. He has also won praise for his novella Molasses and children's book Stars in My Crown.

His works have been nominated for several awards, including the Speaker's Book Prize and the Toronto Book Awards. More than a history lesson, this episode is an invitation to reflect, unlearn, and reclaim stories that have been pushed to the margins. It's a necessary dialogue on ancestry, truth-telling, and the power of knowing who you are—on your own terms.

Bryce Savoy is an Oakland-born rapper, entrepreneur, and filmmaker whose work centers on authenticity, community, and resilience. As the founder of Neighborhood Diamonds, both a record label and lifestyle brand, Savoy is dedicated to discovering and elevating hidden talent—a philosophy inspired by his late father, affectionately known as Big Bryce. In a transformative ten-month period, Savoy experienced the profound loss of his father and the birth of his son, Zimri.

This journey of grief and new life became the foundation for his deeply personal documentary "Big Bryce Son" and the accompanying EP of the same name. His latest album, "Just Keep Shining," reflects his perseverance through life's most challenging moments.

Beyond music, Savoy is a co-founder of The Black Neighborhood, a non-profit organization, and helps run Euphorium Oakland with his mother. Based in Los Angeles, he continues to honor his father's legacy by living the lesson that life isn't restricted to one lane—embracing multiple creative and entrepreneurial ventures while raising his son and building community through art.

To follow him and give to his Neighborhood Diamonds Fund, check the links below.

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Arthur L. Burnett, one of America's leading urologists and author of "The Manhood Rx," pulls back the curtain on men's sexual health and reveals why erectile dysfunction is far more than an embarrassing bedroom problem—it's often the first warning sign of serious cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions.

Dr. Burnett dismantles the stigma surrounding men's sexual health, explaining how lifestyle choices, psychological factors, and underlying medical issues converge to impact male sexual function. From the overreliance on quick-fix pills to the critical connection between heart health and sexual performance, this conversation challenges men to view their sexual health as a vital component of overall wellness.

Whether you're experiencing issues now or want to protect your health for decades to come, Dr. Burnett provides the science-backed roadmap every man needs—but few are willing to talk about.

In April 2025, Kwame Terra became known as "The Big Stepper" when he set an unofficial world record by walking 2 million steps in 30 days—averaging 66,667 steps daily, or about 35 miles per day. This challenge was designed to raise awareness about health disparities in Black communities and raise $2 million to support the development of the bEHR Health app and related programs. Founded in 2021, bEHR Health Systems is a platform dedicated to promoting healthy aging among Black Americans by offering medical, lifestyle, and social solutions.

Legendary author Walter Mosley joins the podcast to discuss his latest Easy Rawlins mystery "Gray Dawn," the 17th installment in a series that has captivated readers for over three decades. We explore how Easy has evolved from post-war Los Angeles to present day, the moral complexities of his characters, and Mosley's unwavering commitment to telling stories that reflect the full humanity of Black men.

From winning the National Book Award's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters to creating unforgettable detectives who navigate unjust systems, Mosley shares insights on his craft, his legacy, and what stories still need to be told.

In the episode, we discuss Black Male Trauma and how it can be reduced holistically with my guest Ron Martin.

Ron Martin is the Founder and CEO of Cope and Chill. He is an Anxiety Relief and Mind-Body Balance Coach who helps high-functioning, healing people break free from anxious overthinking and finally feel safe in their own skin. Through his Inner Calm Mastery program, he guides them to calm their nervous system and rebuild inner safety through body-first practices—so they can show up in relationships with openness, confidence, and genuine connection.

For the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we only focused on the broken levees and the broken lives as a result. What about the triumphs? In this episode, we will a new generation of dreamers, doers, and builders who refused to be defined by tragedy. Born and raised in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, Spencer Davis is a proud native New Orleanian and graduate of the University of New Orleans, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Over the past two decades, he has led large-scale federal and infrastructure programs across the U.S., managing billions in capital projects and serving as a trusted program executive for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and NASA.

Today, Spencer is the Co-Founder of Bypasslines, an innovative online ordering platform helping food vendors and restaurants modernize their operations, and the CEO of Premium Asset Solutions, an AI agent builder empowering businesses to automate and scale through intelligent systems. His work bridges engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship—driven by a lifelong commitment to solving real-world problems and creating opportunities for others in his community.

Aaron Robertson who is a writer and translator from Italian. His nonfiction debut, The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America (FSG, 2024), was a finalist for the 2024 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for History and the 2025 Zora Award for Nonfiction. It was also named a best book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, TIME, and elsewhere. His translation of Beyond Babylon by Igiaba Scego was shortlisted for the 2020 PEN Translation Prize and the National Translation Award. A recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, he has written for The New York Times, Foreign Policy, The Nation, and other publications.