This testimonial came from one of the attendees of the Speaking Our Truths: Conversations for Black men series.

“I have attended three of your discussions so far and it was the first time I had entered a man space to talk about masculinity. I loved it. It allowed me to get new perspectives on different topics and really helped me deepen my reflection around relationships. 

It helped me understand and define what is a relationship with a woman (the exclusive type). Today at 33, I believe it is not something you (only) let yourself carried into…it has to be a choice. Deliberate and intentional. Once I had made that choice it felt much easier projecting me in a long term relationship. It also felt easier dealing with the possibilities of being tempted to “cheat”. What is there to win/loose with one main partner and side partners? Is this worth it? There is no universal answer, but I firmly believe that both partners must agree on what that means and what they expect from their relationship. When these expectations are clear it’s easier to commit. We all know this is, and will remain, a main topic of conversation for many men and women, so for me coming at peace with this really helped me.

Thanks to the space you have created and other reflections (over some time though, this didn’t happen overnight) I was able to reach back to a very special woman that I used to date and made myself available to love and be loved, truly, for the first time. We are together today.

Again, thanks guys for offering this space for us.”

Jonathan,