About this Event
Join Complete Health Ventures, Heart, Body & Soul & Gentlemen's Factory for The Weight We Carry: Trauma, PTSD & Mental Health, a Vitals & Vision health conversation designed to provide clear, accessible information in a welcoming, culturally responsive space.
What does it mean to be “strong” when you’re carrying stress, trauma, or pain that no one else can see?
Too often, trauma goes unspoken, especially in Black communities where strength is expected and vulnerability is misunderstood. But unaddressed trauma doesn’t disappear. It shows up in our bodies, our relationships, our decisions, and our health.
This isn’t a lecture. It’s a space for truth, reflection, and connection.
Panelists:
Derby St. Fort, Retired NYPD Captain, Author & Community Leader
Kwesi Blackman, MD, MBA, & United States Army Veteran
Vladimire Calixte, MA, CRC, LMHC, Licensed Therapist & CoFounder, Therapy for Black Men
Moderated by Christopher Williams - Founder & CEO of Heart, Body & Soul
Together, we’ll explore:
- What trauma and PTSD actually look like in everyday life
- How unprocessed trauma impacts mental and physical health
- Why so many people suffer in silence—and how we can change that
- Practical tools, resources, and approaches to begin healing
- How we can better support the people we love
Whether you’ve experienced trauma, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to better understand mental health in our communities—this conversation is for you.
No stigma. No pressure. Just real, necessary dialogue.
Who Should Attend:
- Men and women seeking to better understand trauma and mental health
- Individuals navigating stress, anxiety, or past experiences
- Partners, friends, and family members supporting loved ones
- Community members, advocates, and professionals committed to healing
Come as you are. Leave with insight, connection, and tools for the journey forward.
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: The Gentlemen's Factory - 1082 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY
Admission: Free with RSVP | Seating is limited. RSVP today— ALL are welcome
Come for the conversation. Stay for the community. Leave with tools for transformation.
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD & REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE
PHOTO & VIDEO RELEASE STATEMENT
BY ENTERING THIS EVENT, YOU CONSENT TO PHOTOS, AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS, AND LIVE STREAM, WHICH MAY BE USED IN ANY MEDIUM FOR PROMOTIONAL OR EDITORIAL PURPOSES AND BECOME THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF HEART, BODY, AND SOUL, INC.
YOU RELEASE US FROM ANY LIABILITY CONNECTED WITH THE RECORDING OR PUBLICATION OF YOUR NAME, VOICE AND LIKENESS, INTERVIEWS, PHOTOS, VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDINGS AND WAIVE ALL RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE TO ANY CLAIMS OF PAYMENT.
About This Series: Vitals & Vision is a space for Black men & women to take control of their health while building toward something bigger than the moment. Each session will spotlight key health issues—heart health, mental wellness, prostate care, stroke risk, sexual wellness and more—while also holding space for vision-setting, self-reflection, and legacy-building.
About Complete Health Ventures: Complete Health Ventures, LLC (CHV) is a minority, woman, and veteran owned healthcare consulting company established in 2019, and based in Brooklyn, NY. Our team is composed of minority healthcare professionals dedicated to sharing their knowledge, inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals, and improving the overall health and knowledge of our community. Learn more about Complete Health Ventures at: https://www.completehealthventures.com/
About Heart, Body & Soul: Heart, Body & Soul, Inc. (HBS), a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit was created to serve communities of color, particularly Black men in underserved communities, as it relates to their physical and mental health and to improve and increase communication between Black men, their healthcare providers, and their families regarding their overall health.
Through its annual signature event, “The Black Man’s Health Festival®”, virtual & in-person discussions, pop-up events, and health screenings, HBS provides a platform for members of the medical community, holistic practitioners, fitness professionals, food and nutrition experts as well as mental health professionals to speak with and engage Black men from the local community to ensure they are empowered to make the best health decisions for themselves and their loved ones.
Learn more about Heart, Body & Soul (HBS) at https://www.iamhbs.org/
About Gentlemen's Factory: The Gentlemen's Factory is the epicenter for today's forward thinking multi-cultural man. It is a home for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, activists, creatives and corporate professionals alike. Our factory is designed to help you reach your full potential in the company of like-minded Gentleman. Learn more about the Gentlemen's Factory at: https://gentlemensfactory.com/
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Gentlemen's Factory, 1082 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, United States
USD 0.00
