We were lucky to catch up with Darnell Rice recently and have shared our conversation below.

Darnell, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

Embrace is a service based organization and I’ve been building for the pass 3 years and it been tough. Not understanding the funding part obtaining and building business credit. I was under a 5013c and was trying to secured funding. The organ went a different direction. I really need some guidance and just so clarity.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

This book is dedicated to my Mother Loita Renay Neely Rice-Watson and My Father Darnell Rice. The young man was very smart and intelligent and didn’t have guidance and support from his siblings and mother. This is a testimony to the inner child in me to be able to say you are okay to rest. To all who walked in and out of my life and gave me my drive and purpose to keep pushing through life’s trials and tribulations. I was brought to the world at a premature and afterthought. The little baby was pushed away in an incubator . The doctors stated to my mother “He’s not going to live”. They put a cover over me and said he’s gone. My grandmother worked at Cardinal Glennon Hospital as a nurse. She prayed and I started to breathe on my own. I was in and out of the hospital at times. My grandmother and aunts would take turns taking care of me at night. My grandmother would work nights to provide for the family. The first 5 years of life were dealt with difficulties and death. I died 4 times and a baby and then resurrected. I was given a death sentence but God saw fit to use my death as a way to pass rites of passage.

We’re going to talk about black men and sexual violence. Do you know, black men are sexually assaulted each year? Do you know that it doesn’t matter? The strength, the size. The abilities or the appearance, or even the sexual orientation or religion doesn’t matter. A black man can be assaulted by a family member, a stranger or someone that he loves. And cares about, do you know that sexual violence can damage families friendships, and it can also damage our self-esteem and also our man. Hello. My name is Darnell Rice. I am the CEO and founder of Embrace, which is a survivor led program where we target communities of color in regards to sexual violence and rape.

Confess Project from its inception. I want to normalize sharing feelings and seeking mental health care for Black boys and men. Part of being a leader is seeing and being fearless about a vision. This includes persisting in your mission, despite the doubt and ridicule of others. A lack of support in 2016 did not stop Lorenzo and me from traveling by bus to barbershops. For instance, laughter met Lorenzo and me by attendees at our first few barbershop talks.

During our barber training sessions and meetings, I shared my testimony, demonstrating power in vulnerability. Most of our advocates have never shared a space where Black boys and men are the priority or given a chance to focus on their mental health.

With such great confidence in our purpose, I worked as a volunteer for two years to get the organization off the ground. Research studies are being developed by several universities, including Harvard. Major funders including Gillette are supporting us financially. Today, I manage our Barber Coalition. Our coalition comprises 200 barbers across 16 American cities and has received national recognition from platforms including CNN and The Wall Street Journal. Our goal is to train 600 more barbers by the end of 2021.

Complacency is not a part of our equation. We will continue to push the limits to ensure all Black and Brown boys and men are being heard and supported

Outside of The Confess Project, my impact happens on a micro and macro-level. On a micro-level, I practice self-care daily. As a Black man, my self-care is an act of resistance against capitalism and systems that do not encourage Black health. On a macro-level, I take part in several organizations that support social justice initiatives to empower Black and Brown communities. For example, I advocate for Black male empowerment as a member of the 100 Greater Black Men of Little Rock and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. As a member of both organizations, I help to promote excellence, deliver scholarships, and complete service that uplifts members of the Black male community.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m going to take you on a journey of my life and how I stood up and took the charge against sexual violence alone. Men of color and black bullets and this video, it is explicit content and it will be triggering little of Antwan Fisher. Wasn’t a family of foster care kids had a caretaker that was supposed to be able to protect him from hurt, harm and danger. But entail. He was attacked and perpetrated on by older siblings. In this video, it’s going to give you a glimpse of what Antwan Fisher had to endure as a little boy downtown at the social service office. You don’t downstairs and basement and Joslin.
So his place of safety guys, I’m gonna tell you like this. We know someone of little Antwan Fisher in our family or someone that’s closest to us. It’s important to understand that you too can be an advocate. For a little Antwan Fisher that lives inside of black men and boys.
As a survivor. A lot of times we go through destructive behaviors. We go through trauma, whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, and sexual trauma. Sometimes we space out. Sometimes we have trouble communicating with our friends, our families, and our partners, because we have so much of these destructive behaviors embedded in ourselves.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

For example, I have been called racial slurs and denied entry into spaces due to the color of my skin. My present role as the Director of Membership and Engagement at an award-winning national grassroots organization is a testimony of my grit and leadership. I am not afraid to give my all and overcome obstacles to advance causes I am passionate about.

I am a high-potential leader championing on behalf of one of the most neglected populations in the social sector. I have helped The Confess Project achieve sustainable growth without the Leadership Academy. I am confident that the program will catapult my leadership to the level I have always dreamed of. I am ready to receive feedback, refine my interpersonal skills, and develop exceptional business skills.

As an executive leader in a Black-led organization that started from scratch, much of my energy has been focused on surviving in the non-profit industrial complex. It would be highly beneficial to have space and opportunity to reflect, network, and visit historically significant civil rights sites. I will share the benefits of this training with my colleagues.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: Embrace_Elevate
• Facebook: Darnell Rice
• Linkedin: Darnell Rice

Image Credits
Lolita Watson-mother Darnell Rice-Father Joyce Grant-Grandmother Henry North-Brother Antonio Corley-Brother MB