8How this book came about: Where are the safe spaces for Black men to be heard and understood? As a Black woman, I found it easier to find places of rest and decompression for myself, but where did my husband, brothers, and friends go? Who was genuinely listening to their thoughts, feelings, concerns, and experiences with an open heart? From the early days of my marriage, I realized that I had been programmed by society and hadn't given Black men the chance to authentically be themselves. What type of toll does that take on the Black man? I wanted to know. What this book is: Dear Black Men is a self-reflective journal and healing tool. It gives Black men the opportunity to reflect and express their feelings within these pages without interruption or judgment. It is an opportunity for Black men to feel heard and understood. The purpose is to create empathy while dispelling the lies, assumptions, and uncommunicated expectations that are often placed on Black men. Simply put, Dear Black Men is a mirror. Are you open to being vulnerable?