For community member Darnell Williams, health isn’t just about looking good—it’s about showing up for his people, his community, and the next generation. When we caught up with him in Texas, he broke it all the way down.
“Health is wealth means staying alive and staying healthy in these bones,” he said. It’s a simple statement, but it speaks volumes. Black men face higher risks for chronic (long-term) conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Prioritizing health isn’t just an individual decision—it impacts families, communities, and future generations.
“We Gotta Stay Alive”
For Darnell, prioritizing health is about survival.
“As a Black man, we are our people,” he explained. “We gotta provide for our youth, show them another way, and set them up for something better. If we take care of ourselves, we can carry our younger generation forward.”
There’s truth in that. Black men are less likely to visit the doctor regularly, often due to a mix of mistrust, financial barriers, and the pressure to “tough it out.” But health isn’t something to put off. Taking small, intentional steps toward better health now can have lasting impacts on the next generation.
“Our kids are our future,” Darnell said. “They’re the ones who are gonna build the buildings we live in, the roads we walk on. If we don’t take care of ourselves now, how are we gonna make sure they’re good later?”
This mindset goes beyond just avoiding sickness—it’s about building generational health. That means making lifestyle changes, seeking preventive care, and passing down knowledge about nutrition, exercise, and mental health.
Finding Strength: Gut Health & Beyond
Darnell, who takes pride in keeping himself fit, knows that gut health plays a bigger role than most people think.
“We gotta keep our bodies right so we can work, take care of our kids, and actually enjoy life with them,” he said. “If your gut is messed up, you feel sluggish, tired, and that’s gonna affect everything else.”
Gut health is more than just avoiding an upset stomach—it impacts digestion, immune function, and even how the body absorbs nutrients. If your gut isn’t in good shape, your energy levels drop, making it harder to stay active, focused, and engaged with family and work.
“If You Don’t Feel Good, You Won’t Show Up Right”
What’s happening in your gut also affects your mental health—something Darnell is very aware of.
“If you don’t keep it together, you can’t think straight. You’re walking around confused, can’t get your job done, and it messes with your decisions,” he explained. “When your gut health is right, your mind is sharper, and you’re in a better space to teach the next generation something better than what we learned.”
Research has shown that poor gut health is linked to mental health struggles like anxiety and depression. The gut and brain are connected, and when digestion is off, it can throw off neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
Beyond that, Darnell understands how physical health affects self-confidence.
“You don’t want to be slouched over, out of breath, not able to chase your kids around,” he said. “When your health is on point, your self-esteem is high. You don’t feel insecure; you don’t feel low. You know you matter.”
For Black men, who are often expected to be pillars of strength for their families and communities, taking care of mental and physical health is a radical act of self-preservation. It’s about breaking cycles and prioritizing well-being in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.
The Bigger Picture: Why Black Men Need to Prioritize Their Health
Darnell’s words highlight an issue that too often goes overlooked—Black men’s health matters, and it needs to be talked about more. From chronic conditions to the stress of daily life, Black men face unique health disparities that can’t be ignored. But change starts with awareness, education, and making small, consistent choices to build healthier futures.
If you’re ready to take control of your health but aren’t sure where to begin, this guide lays out steps specifically for Black men—covering everything from nutrition and exercise to mental health and preventive care.
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