Episode 6- Martin Henson

#WeNeedToTalk with Malynda Hale

On this episode of #WeNeedToTalk, Malynda chats with Activist, Organizer and Public Speaker Martin Henson. They chat about societal views of the Black community, different forms of activism, his work bridging the gap with Black Men and the Trans Community, how white supremacy fuels all aspects of soceity, and why he started his foundation BMEN that focuses on healthy conversations with Black men surrounding mental health, mascunlitiy, sexuality, homophobia and more.

Martin has spent the last 10 years advocating for black lives and addressing the systemic issues that affect black and marginalized groups, through both conventional and unconventional avenues. He is an activist, organizer, and uses his training as a mental health counselor to add nuance to the way we support the livelihood of black people. Martin has engaged thousands of people around prison abolition, fighting white supremacy, and supporting black communities, through seminars, training and curriculum development, community events, rallies, and his work with the Black Lives Matter Boston chapter.

Martin is the Executive Director of BMEN Foundation, a nonprofit he started in 2018, because of his passions for building effective support systems for black men, community improvement, and activism. His nonprofit brings black men together to actively discuss and work through issues specific to black men, including but not limited to: mental health, healthy masculinity, identity, sexuality, homophobia and sexual assault.

Martin is also a restorative justice coach working with various schools in Boston. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, from the University of Central Arkansas.