Today we’d like to introduce you to Brennan Steele.
Hi Brennan, We are so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to Memphis almost six years ago to become an educator. I taught middle school math at an all-boys school for the first two years of my career. That led me right into the pandemic when we were all forced to learn how to become a virtual learning environment on the fly. The first summer of the pandemic also brought much racial unrest, namely the murders of Ahmaud Arberry, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. By this time, I had been in therapy for a while, and I still found myself struggling to cope with images of folks who looked like me being murdered at the hands of police. I also immediately thought about all the Black men I knew who were struggling, especially after Floyd’s murder, who had also not ever done a lot of the work I had done to process and understand emotions. That realization shifted the trajectory of my career. In August 2020, I published “Breathe: A Guided Healing Journal for Black Men,” which allows Black men to write their own stories, understand their identity, and develop emotional intelligence. After that, I remained in education for three more years, eventually working my way up to school leadership, where I did a lot of work to integrate social-emotional learning into the teaching of the whole child. Following that, I decided to make a complete shift into the mental health space. I am in my final year of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Memphis, where I aim to become a licensed professional counselor. I hope to create spaces and embody representation for marginalized identities.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth. Part of my transition into the mental health field was predicated on my mental health struggles. Recovering from childhood wounds and my emotional blocks was integral in my becoming the version of who I am now. My work through seasons of grief and depression, as well as unhealthy coping mechanisms, gave me a desire to help others navigate life’s circumstances.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer/creative/entrepreneur who creates tools and content for the healing and wholeness of Black men. In addition to “Breathe,” I host a podcast entitled “A Space to Breathe: A Podcast for Black Men.” Each of these works creates space for Black men to express, talk about, and explore the parts of themselves society tells them they shouldn’t. To date, “Breathe” has sold nearly 25,0000 copies worldwide. Additionally, I am in the final stages of another guided journal. This one will be for new Black fathers. As a father of a one-year-old, I know fatherhood’s transformative impact on men. With all of the negative stereotypes around Black fatherhood, I wanted to give space for Black men to prioritize their wellness while also encouraging them in their generation-shifting role.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
Mental health is becoming less and less stigmatized. I see therapy becoming as regular of a routine as any other medical check-up. I also see there is an increase in the number of clinicians of color, thus creating more representative and safe spaces for healing.
Contact Info:
- Website: iambrennansteele.com
- Instagram: @iambrennansteele
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennansteele/
Image Credits
JaDarious Lawson Photography, Cleveland Nelson Photography
