YANA - Black men, You Are Not Alone

In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with South Minneapolis community leader Reggie Ferguson — founder of the Agape Movement and a man whose life journey spans street violence, incarceration, devastating personal loss, and spiritual transformation.   Reggie opens up about growing up in South Minneapolis, his past involvement in street...

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, James Trice sits down with fatherhood advocate and community leader Guy Bowling to unpack the realities Black men face in America — from absent fathers and generational trauma to systemic barriers that impact families and communities. Drawing from nearly 35 years of work with low-income and non-custodial fathers, Guy shares how his own experience gr...

James “Mayor Ferg” Ferguson joins YANA: You Are Not Alone for a raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring conversation about survival, redemption, faith, and brotherhood.   After spending 31 years incarcerated for murder, Ferguson opens up about the painful realities of prison life, the spiritual awakening that transformed him behind bars, and the purpose he discovered through restorative justice and m...

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with Captain Horeb of Israel United in Christ for a raw, thought-provoking conversation about Black identity, spirituality, manhood, oppression, accountability, and community.   From personal transformation and incarceration culture to faith, biblical law, and the search for purpose, Captain Horeb shares...

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, host James Trice welcomes back Lamont Jackson for an unfiltered dialogue on what’s really happening inside our schools—and our communities.   Lamont, a social behavioral educator working with middle school students in underserved communities, pulls back the curtain on the daily realities facing young people navigating trauma, instability, and broken...

What happens when Black men are finally given permission to speak openly about pain, trauma, healing, and hope? In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with behavioral consultant and licensed chemical dependency counselor Sam Simmons for an honest and deeply needed conversation about Black men’s mental and emotional health, trauma, healing, masculinity, and...

In this powerful third installment of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice continues his deeply moving conversation with Coley Gates, a man whose story defies logic and redefines faith, brotherhood, and purpose. After spending 25 years incarcerated, Coley opens up about the emotional weight of reconnecting with family, the unbreakable bond of the “Seven Mighty Men,” and the spiritual foundati...

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Coley shares what it was like to be sentenced to 999 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit — and how faith, accountability, and deep personal transformation carried him through 25 years behind bars. But this story isn’t just about prison. It’s about healing. Coley talks about: Coming to terms with his past and taking responsibility for his life Build...

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with Minneapolis native Coley Gates for a raw and deeply moving conversation about faith, accountability, and transformation. Coley opens the episode with a powerful spoken-word piece from his book Common Sense: We Are Bigger Than the Box You Put Us In, reflecting on identity, pain, and the legacy of Black men in Ameri...

What happens when the very strategies that helped us survive begin to harm us?   In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with nationally respected behavioral consultant and author Sam Simmons for a raw, illuminating conversation about Black male trauma—personal, cultural, and generational.   Sam traces his journey from physical injury to emotional awakening,...

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with entrepreneur, urban planner, and community builder Denetrick Powers for a deeply honest conversation about manhood, leadership, and what it truly means to show up for others. Denetrick shares his journey of becoming a full-time father figure to his teenage nephew and entering the adoption process as a single Black...

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with North Minneapolis artist Tone Capone for a raw conversation about survival, struggle, and transformation. Tone opens up about being diagnosed at just 14 years old with a rare blood disorder that changed the course of his life. As he grew up navigating depression, PTSD, and the trauma of losing fr...

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice welcomes two dynamic voices into the conversation—Lamont Jackson and James Ware—for a raw, Spirit-led dialogue about faith, identity, and the state of America. What does it mean to pursue biblical literacy in a time of political division? How should the Church respond when theology is weaponized to justify hate? A...

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with author, educator, and mental health advocate Dr. Javan E. Richardson for an honest and transformative conversation about heartbreak, healing, and the necessity of safe spaces for Black men.   Dr. Richardson opens up about the painful seasons that shaped him—from growing up without his father to navigating a devast...

In this profound episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice is joined by visionary organizer, thinker, and cultural worker Sam Grant for a far-reaching conversation on what it truly means to be a Black man in the world.   Drawing from ancestral wisdom, global Black history, and lived experience—from Tanzania to Minneapolis—Sam unpacks the intertwined systems of white supremacy, capitalis...

What does it take to stop violence before it happens—and what role do faith, brotherhood, and accountability play in that work?   In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice welcomes members of the Youth Violence & Conflict Resolution Center, a nationwide, Bible-based organization working directly in communities to prevent violence, mentor youth, and equip families wi...

In this compelling episode of You Are Not Alone (YANA), host James Trice welcomes Minister John Dawkins—a Bahamian-American, truth-seeker, and passionate advocate for healing, empowerment, and faith. With a heart for ministry and a mind driven by curiosity, John shares his powerful testimony, from surviving depression and discovering his faith, to stepping into leadership as a minister of the Gosp...

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with community leader, counselor, and “Renaissance Man” Marques Armstrong for a raw conversation about what it truly means to be a Black man in America today. Marques opens up about his journey—from taking James’s community organizing course decades ago to becoming a mental-health practitioner, entrep...

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with urban planner and community advocate Trey Joiner for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation about space, power, and Black survival. From biking through Minnesota winters to navigating predominantly white planning rooms, Trey shares what it means to be a Black man working inside systems that have historically d...

In this deeply moving episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with King Desmond Martin, a man whose life story stretches across fatherhood, faith, community, struggle, and triumph. From navigating the streets of St. Paul to raising 11 children (and helping raise even more), to overcoming impossible odds—including crushing child support debt and the pressures of the system—Ki...

In this powerful episode of YANA — You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with community leader and youth mentor Raheem Simmons for a conversation that redefines what opportunity looks like for Black boys.   Together, they explore: Why exposure beyond basketball and football matters How tennis is opening doors to scholarships, discipline, and lifelong fitness The cultural and systemic gaps...

In this heartfelt episode of YANA – You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with lifelong St. Paul native and retired Assistant Fire Chief Tony Carter, a man whose journey embodies service, faith, and community. Tony shares his powerful story—from growing up in St. Paul to serving 30 years on the fire department, rising through every rank, and eventually stepping into leadership as Assistant...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of YANA (You Are Not Alone), host James Trice sits down with Jamar Hester — a husband, father, and community leader — for a raw, heartfelt conversation about manhood, marriage, and what it truly means to lead with integrity as a Black man in today’s world. Jamar opens up about growing up without a father, breaking generational cycles, and redefining wha...

In this powerful episode of YANA (You Are Not Alone), host James Trice sits down with Minnesota legend Ray Seville—a former DJ, promoter, and marketing innovator who helped shape the Twin Cities’ music and nightlife scene. Ray shares his extraordinary journey, from growing up in Minneapolis’ housing projects to becoming one of the first to bring hip-hop concerts to the Midwest, design full-color f...

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone; host James Trice sits down with community leader and author Marquise Bowie to explore his inspiring journey from prison to purpose. Once caught in the grip of gangs, drugs, and incarceration, Marquise now dedicates his life to transforming “street energy into community energy.” Marquise opens up about his time in federal prison, the deep trauma...