As a man, it’s often the norm to suppress feelings that society may deem unmasculine. What does it really look like when a man displays masculinity in a healthy and natural way? Oftentimes, individuals have their own definition of masculinity and what they think it entails. SheaMoisture, however, is challenging the stigma associated with masculinity and what it looks like when displayed to the masses.
SheaMoisture Men, the nation’s leading personal grooming brand for men of color, has launched the new campaign, “Black Men Love.” The brand’s aim is to spark an open conversation about what it means for men to display love in a healthy and customary way, and how men are healing through the lens of self-care, self-love, and self-reflection.
The campaign kicked off earlier this month with showcasing men completing everyday activities that ultimately evoke genuine emotions. Deeds such as fatherhood, brotherhood, marriage, friendship, and mentorship. The things that men hold dear to their hearts.
It’s vital that men feel they have a safe space in order to exude the necessary traits that define what manhood is for them internally. One of the acts that SheaMoisture performed, recently, was giving men their flowers. It was an exploit that caught the true reaction of men getting love letters, as well as roses, while they can still smell them. This demonstration of gifting roses took place in Harlem at none other than the famous Denny Moe’s Superstar Barbershop. This act was also performed in Los Angeles at the All Chill Hip Hop Ice Cream Shop in the historical Leimert Park. As men were walking along the street they were stopped and given a small token of appreciation, just to show them that they are not being overlooked and that they matter just as much as the next person.
In addition, SheaMoisture has teamed up with Black Men Heal, Black Men Smile, and Black Men Can to highlight the numerous ways Black men showcase their love for themselves, as well as others. The goal here, according to Shea Moisture Chief Marketing Officer Taydra Mitchell, is to spread awareness and bring to the forefront what it looks like when men show love outwardly in a consistent and organic manner. This is very exciting because, unfortunately, not all men get the chance to experience, express, or see this form of intrinsic masculinity firsthand as boys.
Director Dominique DeLeon and production company Durable Goods helping to visually display the journey of Black men as they navigate the roadways of being fathers, partners, mentors, teachers, and professionals in society with a a series of short vignettes. These videos explore what measures are being taken to build up our youth, how society views Black men, and how we support ourselves. The series also focuses attention on manhood and how love influences men’s daily lifestyles.
The core message that SheaMoisture wants readers, as well as viewers, to take away from the “Black Men Love” initiative is that Black men have and are taking the necessary steps needed to help pull one another up out of the darkness that the world often subjects us to. Healing is the first step, teaching is the next, uplifting follows after. “Each one teach one” is not a cliche, it’s a step that must be taken to reach the stairway of change that houses the core values of what it means to be a man, display masculinity, and showcase love of self.
Join the conversation and help assist in the change that we all know is possible in order for little Black boys, as well as men, to know that we are not alone. Our biggest supporters are our feminine counterparts, Black women. Together we can achieve and do anything.
