Movember, the leading global men’s health charity has launched its first ever media accelerator for Black creatives. The inaugural Rooted and Rising Collective has brought together 10 emerging digital creators, with a combined audience of over 1.5 million, to elevate their businesses, nurture their well-being, and create content that inspires young Black men to live happier, healthier and longer lives.
The 11-week creative training program provides tailored support for each participant’s creative, business, and personal goals and partners with them in producing 2-3 short films which highlight the benefits that self-care practices can have in the lives of their young Black male audience. A stipend was provided for each participant and Movember has invested $1.2 million into the project.
The program wrapped with the release of an inspirational range of films combining the creators’ personal stories and distinctive voices with some of their learning from the program.
The program was designed and run in conjunction with social impact company SecondMuse and led by expert advisors, Chris Denson and Dr. Derek Griffith. Denson is an award-winning innovation advocate, marketer, host, and humour-inspired content creator. Dr. Griffith is a Founding Co-Director of the Racial Justice Institute at Georgetown University, Founder and Director of the Center for Men’s Health Equity, and Professor of Health Systems Administration and Oncology.
“Creativity is power, and mental health is the engine that increases it tenfold. These ten young men, are in a true sense, powerhouses. It’s been an honor to get to know them and a pleasure to watch them evolve their craft, their businesses, and their mindsets. From comedy to filmmaking, vlogging, music, fitness and everything in between, we’ve been inspired by their elevated work, and I’m sure their collective audience of millions will be equally impacted by it as well,” said Chris Denson, Rooted & Rising advisor.
“For young Black men, like the Rooted and Rising cohort, it’s vital that they take care of their mental wellbeing first. By building simple, actionable self-care ideas into their work, these creative entrepreneurs can build thriving and impactful businesses and model and inspire their audiences to thrive as well,” said Dr. Derek Griffith, Rooted & Rising advisor.
Movember is committed to finding ways to better understand the issues which are creating inequitable health outcomes in communities of color. This program aims to educate and support the health and well-being of young Black men ages 15-24.
Movember is also a proud partner in the Well Beings campaign with WETA/PBS and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is providing additional financial support for the stipends to the Rooted and Rising participants. NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country, and they will be sharing their expertise in mental health and wellbeing, and mentoring the members of the Rooted & Rising Collective. Well Beings is a multi-platform, multi-year campaign created by WETA Washington, D.C. to address the critical health needs in America through original broadcast and digital content, engagement campaigns, and impactful local events. Well Beings and NAMI will be promoting the work of this extraordinary cohort of young men among their constituents, on their website and across social media platforms.
“We are extraordinarily proud to voice our support for Movember and the Rooted & Rising Collective as they uplift young Black men across America to address mental health in their communities,” said Tom Chiodo, spokesperson for Well Beings, and Matt Raymond, spokesperson for NAMI. “As we continue to fight stigma and raise awareness for the critical need for mental wellness and self-care, we are looking forward to seeing the Rooted & Rising Collective grow and leave a lasting impact for young generation of creators.”
