LeBron James Collaborates With Richard Mille For Limited Edition Timepieces
There are only 150 available
Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James has collaborated with luxury timepiece maker Richard Mille on a watch that the basketball player brought out at Fanatics Fest in New York.
The basketball billionaire showed off the piece of jewelry to his more than 159 million followers on Instagram.
“Had to debut this special @richardmille piece we’ve been working on at Fanatics Fest for all y’all to see!! ✊🏾⌚️🔥 01/150!!! Thank you to the incredible team for the opportunity to bring this to life, the unbelievable details, storytelling, and purpose behind this watch. 🙏🏾👑”
According to The Robb Report, the watch is a limited edition as there were only 150 pieces created. The RM 65-01 Split-Seconds Chronograph LeBron James incorporates the Lakers’ signature color scheme and will set the buyer back $405,040. The LeBron series plays on the RM 65-01 timepiece made by Richard Mille. The NBA Hall of Famer’s signature is etched into the timepiece’s caseback.
GQ reported that this isn’t LeBron’s first timepiece collaboration. The entrepreneur connected with Audemars Piguet for an exclusive version of the Royal Oak Offshore.
Hodinkeelisted the specifications of the luxury timepiece:
Brand: Richard Mille Model: RM 65-01 Split-Seconds Chronograph
Diameter: 44.5mm x 49.94mm Thickness: 16.1mm Case Material: Black Carbon TPT and Yellow Quartz TPT Dial Color: Skeletonized dial with green indices and LeBron James logo at 12 o’clock, purple, and yellow accents Indexes: Printed and applied (outer track) Lume: Hands, dial, indices Water Resistance: 50m Strap/Bracelet: Rubber textile strap
Caliber: RMAC4 Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, split-seconds chronograph, function selector, rapid winding and variable-geometry rotor Diameter: 31.78 x 29.98 mm Thickness: 8.69 mm Power Reserve: Around 60 hours (±10%) without chronograph running Winding: Automatic Frequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz) Jewels: 51
The Akron, Ohio, native was recently honored by Ohio State University with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.
Food Delivery Startup BiteSight Gives The Uber Eats App A Run For Its Money Following Viral TikTok
In pre-seed funding, BiteSight raised $1.5 million from heavy hitters including Y Combinator and SurgePoint Capital.
TikTok proves that bullying works as BiteSight, a Black-owned video-based food delivery app, took the top spot over Uber Eats in the Apple App Store following viral video success, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.
The app, created by Founder Lucious McDaniel IV, jumped to No. 18 overall in the store and No. 2 in the Food & Beverage category, zooming past Uber and Uber Eats due to the video’s overnight success. Within 24 hours of the video and over three million views, the app saw a 714% increase in user growth without any paid marketing.
The video features McDaniel and his younger sister, Kendall. The duo participated in a trend, used by introverted and extroverted couples, wanting to show off their shy partner’s passions or hobbies. This time, they cleverly used the trend to promote the app. “My brother is going to show you the app that he built, and y’all are going to like it,” Kendall said.
That’s when McDaniel stepped in to tell the world about his startup. “Hi, so I built this app, and it’s like TikTok meets DoorDash. You can scroll through videos of food, and you can order anything you see and get it delivered right to your door,” he said in the video that went viral on Juneteenth.
“So I built this because I wanted to see all my friends’ favorite food delivery spots, and so now I can go to their profile, see the places they liked, and what they rated them. Everything you see, you can get delivered in like 15 minutes. It’s like really cool. Thank you!”
In addition, the New York City founder said he and his partner Zac Schulwolf felt there was a need in the market, with users being able to watch food being prepared and ordering with a single tap. The app also hosts social features for users to connect with their friends and create a personalized “Food Court” with their top spots for others to indulge in. In addition, McDaniel claims food has become “so corporate.” “Food delivery has become cold, corporate, and filled with hidden fees,” the viral TikToker said.
“We built BiteSight because food is personal. It’s cultural. It’s social. We’re putting that back into the experience, and the people are responding.”
The comments on the video show how needed the app is, calling it “Black excellence” and asking them to expand to other cities like Houston, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta since the app only caters to NYC, for now. “I love this, as a fellow big back, I approve,” @spiritual_gangsta_22 wrote.
“Aye, bro, you might become a billionaire because of this,” @ukn0wball said.
In pre-seed funding, BiteSight raised $1.5 million from heavy hitters including Y Combinator and SurgePoint Capital. Angel investors included Airbnb’s former COO and the former CEO of a popular European food delivery app.
Mexican Rapper Defends His Use Of The N-Word, ‘We From The Same Boat’
A Mexican defends his use of the N-word and asks, "What are you going to do about it?"
A popular Mexican rapper has sparked fierce debate around his use of the N-word, which he attributed to growing up around Black people.
That Mexican OT, an emerging rapper from Bay City, Texas, recently appeared on Angela Yee’s Lip Service, where co-host Cleotrapa asked if he feels comfortable using the N-word. While Yee pointed out that artists of various backgrounds often use the word due to hip-hop culture, Mexican OT said his use stems from his upbringing, not his music career.
“What the f&*k are you gonna do about it, you know?” That Mexican OT declared in a clip shared online.
“And then second of all, I grew up loving these motherfu*kers. I grew up fighting with them. I grew up eating with them. I grew up fu*king doing bad sh*t with them.”
He continued. “I grew up loving with them. And I got family. And it’s not even about family, even if I wasn’t related to nobody I had Black.”
The “Johnny Dang” rapper explained how his upbringing, where he was “surrounded” by Black people, cultivated his mannerisms, slang, and how he carries himself. While he understands the strong feelings around the word, he also asks those who are bothered, particularly calling out Black men, “If you’re from where I’m from, or anywhere, what the f%*k are you gonna do about it?”
“It’s like I don’t went to the jungle and earned the lion’s head, you know?” he added.
His response got people talking, with some in disagreement and others who agreed with That Mexican OT’s stance that those who are bothered won’t do anything about it.
“They been saying it, what we gonna do🤷🏾♂️” one person wrote.
Critcs called the rapper “racist” with one even suggesting for Black people to “Start calling them slurs back and move on 😒.”
The N-word has long been a debated topic within the Black and hip-hop communities. While some non-Black individuals—often those who consider themselves allies or who grew up around Black culture—feel comfortable using it, the word’s deeply racist history keeps the conversation alive around who truly has the right to say it.
“I’m not even trying to justify it, but y’all just got dropped off before us. And that’s all we need. Y’all got dropped off first. It’s crazy. We from the same boat,” he said.
James Harden Being Sued For Negligence In Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed Against Nephew
His nephew is being accused of sexual assault during a party that took place at his Texas home
In a sexual assault lawsuit filed against his nephew, Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden is being sued for negligence, allegedly due to how his security team handled the situation at the NBA player’s house.
According to a news release by the alleged victim’s attorneys, Wigdor LLP and Ellwanger Henderson, Marisa Watley has accused Harden’s nephew of sexually assaulting her at a New Year’s Eve party that took place at the basketball player’s Houston residence in 2024. She is also suing the Clippers guard for negligence in the same lawsuit.
Watley has alleged that Justice Armani Blackburn, Harden’s nephew, sexually assaulted her during that party when she was unconscious at the mansion. The legal paperwork was filed June 23 in Harris County, Texas.
“Ms. Watley has shown great strength and courage in coming forward to hold Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harden accountable for what happened to her on New Year’s Day 2025 in Mr. Harden’s mansion,” said Michael J. Willemin and John S. Crain (of Wigdor LLP) and Jay Ellwanger and Kaylyn Betts (of Ellwanger Henderson) in a written statement.
“This rape was immediately reported to the police, and we will bring Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harden to justice through the civil justice system.”
The plaintiff has stated that Harden’s security team had removed two of Watley’s friends, who were at the party with her. After being kicked out, they insisted that Watley was still inside. After they contacted Elaina Watley, the alleged victim’s sister, so that she could speak to someone about it, she sent a photo of Marisa to verify that she was still in the mansion.
Security told Elaina that someone was with Blackburn, but it wasn’t Marisa. Yet, in the lawsuit, Marisa is saying that the woman they claim wasn’t her was her, and if they had acted responsibly when they were contacted, the alleged assault would not have taken place.
“Since New Year’s Day, when I reported the rape by Mr. Blackburn to the police, I have remained puzzled by how Mr. Harden’s security behaved that day—it is painful to imagine that this all could have been stopped in time, said Marisa. I hope this complaint pushes security employees generally to act more responsibly when women are in danger.”
Telfar returned to the runway for the first time in three years with a show held at Cortlandt Alley on June 21, W Magazine reports. Featuring more than 200 models, the lineup blended local icons, like Luar designer Raul Lopez, musicians Ian Isaiah and Teezo Touchdown, and filmmaker and former Hood by Air CEO Leilah Weinraub, with everyday people.
Real life was put at the forefront with models, including vape-smoking teens, parents holding their kids, and multigenerational families. They all were selected just days earlier through Telfar TV, the brand’s public access channel, where viewers voted on who would walk in the June 20th show.
Adding to the show’s community-driven spirit, the 200-plus models began their walk at Telfar’s flagship store on Broadway, parading down Canal Street before reaching Cortlandt Alley, giving passersby a chance to experience the show and see the looks up close. It all served as a powerful testament to Telfar’s originality and unwavering independence, a spirit the brand has upheld since its founding in 2005.
“Everything Telfar couldn’t rely on when we first started this line: investors, buyers, factors, distributors, press, celebs, co-signs, D, E, or I—we still don’t rely on today,” the show notes stated. “Everything we did rely on: family, friends, vision, bullsh*t alarms, and commitment—holds us down to this day. If Telfar is the biggest Black-owned brand in the fashion world, if Telfar is the longest-running non-gendered line in history…it is only through interdependence.”
The collection featured Telfar classics infused with unmistakable New York City flair, like T-shirts printed with the iconic “Thank You!” plastic bag design, nods to the Newport cigarette logo, and smiley faces on maxi skirts. Every look was genderless, including all-white outfits and laid-back suiting. Fans also spotted nostalgic throwbacks to past collaborations, from Melissa jelly sandals and slip-on Timberlands to pieces inspired by the brand’s 2021 Olympic designs for Team Liberia, which Telfar sported during the show’s concession.
The famed designer used the show to send a message with show notes reading “free Palestine” and “free Congo,” and families of the models getting front row seats to see their loved one shine. Many likened the runway show to a block party over a traditional fashion show.
“If you don’t like the looks, we don’t like you,” Jorge Gitoo Wright, a model in the show who had gotten hold of a microphone, told the crowd. “And if you snuck in and got a seat—I f$*k with you.”
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Slams ‘Narrow-Minded’ Supreme Court For Catering To ‘Moneyed Interests’
The first Black-female justice claimed her colleagues "run in a series of textualist circles" and highlighted that the majority "closes its eyes to context.
In a series of sharp dissents, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson accused her Supreme Court colleagues of issuing rulings that appear to favor financial interests over their sworn duty, according to ABC News.
Brown Jackson’s criticism follows several rulings in controversial cases. For the Stanley v. City of Sanford case, a retired Florida firefighter fighting Parkinson’s disease attempted to sue the city, which employed her, under the Americans with Disabilities Act after terminating its extended health insurance coverage for retirees who left the force before serving 25 years due to disability.
Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in his majority opinion that the civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability only protects “qualified individuals,” stating retirees don’t count. “This court has long recognized that the textual limitations upon a law’s scope must be understood as no less a part of its purpose than its substantive authorizations,” Gorsuch concluded in his opinion.
The opinion was supported by all the court’s conservatives and liberal Justice Elena Kagan. However, the first Black female judge to sit on America’s highest court said she “cannot abide that narrow-minded approach” and accused her colleagues of ignoring the law, defining the qualified class as those who “can perform the essential functions of the employment position that such an individual holds or desires.”
She claimed that the Supreme Court justices “run in a series of textualist circles” and highlighted that the majority “closes its eyes to context, enactment history, and the legislature’s goals.”
The scathing comments came after the Supreme Court heard arguments in the Diamond Alternative Energy v. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) case, ruling 7-2 in favor of fuel producers attempting to challenge the EPA’s approval of California clean vehicle emissions regulations.
Brown Jackson argued the ruling favors “moneyed interests” and curiously proposed why the court felt it was necessary to decide on it, since President Donald Trump has scaled back on the Biden-Harris administration’s environmental policies, including those catering to electric vehicle mandates in the Golden State. “This case gives fodder to the unfortunate perception that moneyed interests enjoy an easier road to relief in this court than ordinary citizens,” she wrote, according to NBC News.
“Also, I worry that the fuel industry’s gain comes at a reputational cost for this court, which is already viewed by many as being overly sympathetic to corporate interests.”
Case Western Reserve University School of Law professor Jonathan Adler noted that none of the other justices, including her liberal colleagues, signed on to her dissent. He feels such cases can be labeled as “very simplistic” — classified as either pro-business or anti-business, just due to the fact that there can be monetary interests on both sides.
Brandy and Monica: The R&B Legends Are Collaborating Again With ‘The Boy Is Mine’ Tour
It will be the frequent collaborators first-ever co-headlining tour.
Brandy and Monica will soon head to a city near you, together. The ’90s R&B staples are going on a joint “The Boy Is Mine” tour this fall.
Brandy and Monica announced the news June 24, alongside the dates for their 24-city tour. The long-awaited show will begin Oct. 16 in Cincinnati, concluding Dec. 7 in Houston.
The Grammy winners shared a visualizer on social media to promote the tour. It will be their first-ever co-headlining run.
The tour has been rumored to be in the works for months, with the official announcement bringing out R&B fans of all ages. While on the road, the duo will be joined by Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and newcomer Jamal Roberts. Roberts just won American Idol in its 23rd season.
The tour celebrates the legacy and success of both women’s careers, as well as their timeless 1998 hit “The Boy Is Mine.” Earning a Grammy for Best R&B performance in 1999, the song spent a record-breaking 13 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. However, the music still impacts the radio today. The two later featured on a 2024 remix of the song by Ariana Grande, earning them another Grammy nomination.
Capitalizing on this ongoing momentum, Brandy and Monica also appeared on CBS Mornings to share their excitement for the tour.
EXCLUSIVE: @4everBrandy and Monica are reuniting for “The Boy is Mine Tour” 27 years after their hit song of the same name spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
The superstars share why going on tour together is “a dream come true” and hint at what fans can expect: “Just a… pic.twitter.com/0uH7cHMQu2
“This really is a full-circle moment. Monica and I coming together again isn’t just about the music—it’s about honoring where we came from and how far we’ve both come,” explained Brandy in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. “‘The Boy Is Mine’ was a defining chapter in R&B, and to share the stage all these years later is bigger than a reunion—it’s a celebration of growth, sisterhood, and the love our fans have given us from day one.”
Monica added, “The love that ‘The Boy Is Mine’ continues to receive means everything to me. This tour is a celebration of our history, our impact, and the fans who have grown with us. Brandy and I have been on our unique journeys, and coming back together in this way is a reminder of the power of respect, strength, and real music. We’re giving the people what they’ve been asking for, and doing it with grace, love, and purpose. God’s timing perfectly aligned us.”
The tickets for the tour go on sale June 27, with a presale available the day before.
Brother: Tap Into These Resources During Black Men Mental Health Month
Black men face a solitary struggle when addressing mental health
Black men throughout America face a solitary struggle when addressing mental health issues due to stigma, cultural misunderstandings, and restricted access to culturally competent care. Across the nation, numerous organizations are altering mental health support by establishing secure and validating spaces where Black men can focus on their mental wellness. Here are 10 mental health resources that empower Black men to regain and protect their peace and mental well-being through barbershop therapy and a range of peer support networks.
The Confess Project – Georgia
The Confess Project began operations in 2016 from its Atlanta headquarters as a national program designed to train barbers to become mental health advocates. Barbers deliver mental health assistance and resources to clients through their training programs and community involvement activities. To participate in activities, visit The Confess Project’s online portal to find participating barbers. You can also submit your application for ambassador status. The project leverages the deeply rooted trust that barbershops have within Black communities to promote healing.
Philadelphia’s Black Men Heal emerged in 2018 to provide therapy sessions specifically for Black men, led by licensed clinicians of color. To participate, individuals may submit applications for the complimentary eight-week therapy program offered at BlackMenHeal.org. The importance of this program lies in its provision of authentic therapeutic care for Black men through therapists who can relate to their lived experiences, thereby eliminating the need for code-switching.
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) – California
The Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective, also known as BEAM, was founded in California in 2017. The organization works to enhance emotional well-being within Black communities through training programs, peer support networks, and digital tools. Participation opportunities include joining community healing circles, attending virtual workshops, and exploring resources in the BEAM community. BEAM’s dedication to delivering community-focused healthcare while breaking down systemic barriers to mental wellness establishes it as a major entity in the mental health field.
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation – Florida Chapter
Established nationally in 2018, with Florida programs commencing in 2020, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation-Florida Chapter operates from Tallahassee, while maintaining regional activities. Actress Taraji P. established the foundation and delivers culturally competent mental health services, including free virtual therapy for Black men and youth. The program offers community wellness events and scholarships for therapists. The foundation in Florida partners with local HBCUs and churches to provide direct services. Individuals interested in participating can submit applications for free therapy services or register for events online at BorisLHensonFoundation.org. The “Heard. Healed. Empowered.” campaign focuses on Black men by working to eliminate financial and cultural barriers to healthcare access, while leveraging celebrity influence to reduce therapy stigma and promote wellness throughout the Black community.
Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health – Illinois emerged in 2020 and operates from Chicago. The initiative seeks to merge café culture with mental health awareness by providing therapy funding and free support groups. Participation opportunities include visiting its Chicago café, which holds special significance since it aims to integrate therapy into daily environments for young Black men who grew up in the hip-hop culture.
Established in 2018, Therapy for Black Men operates nationwide from its headquarters in New York City. Black men can find culturally sensitive therapists and coaches through their mission, which aims to ensure easy access. A searchable directory is available for users to browse, and they also have the option to become members of the free online community. This platform eliminates uncertainty by ensuring that users find experts who understand their specific needs.
The collaboration between Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the National Institute on Minority Health, through Brother, You’re on My Mind, aims to raise awareness about depression in Black men. Established in 2017 with its headquarters in Washington, D.C., this initiative develops mental health literacy programs within historically Black institutions and neighborhoods. Participation opportunities include engaging in educational campaigns or organizing events with the toolkits.
Real Men. Real Talk. emerged in 2021 as a platform where monthly discussions on men’s mental health occur under the guidance of local therapists and community leaders. The Houston-based organization works to establish a secure environment where men can discuss their mental health openly and authentically without facing judgment.
Established in 2004 as a national initiative from Columbus, Ohio, Black Male Wellness Walk operates chapters across more than 15 cities. The organization is dedicated to promoting physical and mental health awareness among Black men and boys. This walk/ run link creates awareness around physical and mental health while promoting brotherhood among Black men.
This Denver-based organization, established in 2015, now pursues goals that extend its focus beyond Black women and femmes. Healing justice circles and wellness spaces now operate to support Black men while addressing racial trauma and police violence alongside systemic injustice. Soul 2 Soul Sisters partners with Black male therapists and activists to host community-led healing events and spiritual wellness programs. The website offers opportunities for individuals to participate in healing circles or attend mental health events.
Do Better: Patrons Skip Out On $200 Bill, ‘Dine-and-Dash’ Fails Black-Owned Restaurants
For Phlavz, a Black-owned enterprise striving to offer affordable dining options amid rising food and service costs, the incident transcends the $200 bill.
The recent brazen act of a trio leaving Phlavz Bar & Grille in University Village without settling a $200 bill for shrimp and lobster highlights more than just a financial loss; it exposes the pernicious challenges confronting Black-owned establishments and the broader community they endeavor to serve.
As warmer weather beckons patrons to outdoor dining, a crucial revenue stream for local restaurateurs, incidents of “dine-and-dash” are not only surging but are also disproportionately affecting independent, often minority-owned businesses that are striving for economic stability.
Surveillance footage from June 16 captured three patrons departing Phlavz’s inviting outdoor patio without payment after Hulk-smashing plates of seafood.
For co-owners Andrew Bonsu and Phil Simpson, this wasn’t merely a transactional oversight but a profound disappointment.
“It’s actually disappointing, very disappointing to see that from the community we actually serve. We pour into the community,” Bonsu told ABC7.
The immediate fallout directly affects the dedicated staff, as Simpson underscored, “The young lady that was serving that table, she’s got kids at home. She gets a percentage of that tip. She worked hard to serve that table. They had a lot of food.”
This theft of labor or skipping out on the bill, which impacts servers’ livelihoods, can have a profound effect on service industry employees already struggling with escalating operational costs.
The phenomenon of customers absconding without payment, known as “dine-and-dash,” has seen a troubling increase since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend particularly pronounced in outdoor dining settings during the summer months, according to Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “We see this dine and dash really hurt the independent restaurants,” Toia stated, adding a poignant observation for Chicago: “It definitely picks up in the summer. In Chicago, what do we get? Maybe 60 days of great weather, maybe you can eat outside.”
This vulnerability is acutely felt by Black-owned businesses, which faced devastating consequences during the pandemic. Black business ownership in the U.S. declined by more than 405 — the most significant drop across any ethnic group, with 58% of these businesses already in financial distress.
In cities like New Orleans, many Black families confronted agonizing decisions about the future of generational enterprises. In response to this crisis, the National Urban League and PepsiCo Foundation launched the Black Restaurant Accelerator. The significance of this initiative was underscored by its announcement at Vaucresson’s in New Orleans, during the annual Jazz & Heritage Festival, which recognized Vaucresson’s as the sole remaining food vendor from the festival’s inception three decades prior — a powerful symbol of heritage and resilience in the face of adversity.
While a post-George Floyd social justice movement inspired over one-third of consumers to actively seek out Black-owned restaurants, this increased support arrives at a time when Black restaurant owners, like others, face immense pressures, with 84% having reduced staff due to COVID-19.
However, Black-owned restaurants were marginally less likely to implement staff reductions compared to 86% of all restaurant owners. Furthermore, Black owners invested an average of $7,300 to adapt to new COVID-19 operations, nearly matching the $7,400 average for all restaurant owners.
What remains notably absent, however, are similar reports of such brazen disregard in the refined ambiance of predominantly white fine-dining establishments, such as Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar or Morton’s The Steakhouse. The disparity compels a critical examination of where and why such acts of contempt manifest. It suggests a deeply uncomfortable undercurrent where certain businesses, particularly those operating within Black communities or owned by individuals of color, are perceived as more vulnerable to such transgressions, or perhaps, less deserving of commensurate respect and legitimate patronage. This implicit devaluation can erode the vital trust between businesses and their local clientele.
For Phlavz, a Black-owned enterprise striving to offer affordable dining options amid rising food and service costs, the incident transcends the $200 bill. While the culprits were quickly identified online, and an offer to pay was extended, Simpson declined, emphasizing a larger imperative.
“At that point, we are going to pursue this the right way,” he affirmed, signaling a stand against the normalization of such behavior.
Bonsu echoed this sentiment, lamenting the impact on their earnest efforts: “For us to put our hard-earned money into this and set this up for our community, to see things like this happening, it’s tasteless.”
The owners have filed a report with the University of Illinois-Chicago police for theft of labor or services, seeking official recourse. Their public stance and reliance on social media to disseminate awareness reflect a plea for collective accountability.
The hope is that widespread visibility will compel future would-be “dine-and-dashers” to confront the actual human cost of their actions, fostering a renewed respect for all businesses, particularly those serving as anchors within their communities.
New Study Raises Awareness On Barriers Black Families Face In Receiving Mental Health Care
Black families face significant barriers that prevent access to mental health care
A new study is looking to spark broader conversations about the ongoing efforts needed to make mental health care more accessible for Black families and youth in the U.S.
The Child Mind Institute, in collaboration with the Steve Fund, reently released findings from the Mental Health Support for Black Familiesstudy, which highlights the attitudes toward mental health care within the Black community and reveals major barriers Black Americans face in accessing quality care. By surveying 1,000 Black parents who sought mental health care for their children and 500 young adults ages 18–24 who sought care for themselves, researchers uncovered the deep impact that racism and discrimination have on the mental health of Black youth and young adults.
“Our mental health care system must acknowledge its shortcomings and failings to effectively support Black communities across the country,” said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, Founding President and Medical Director of the Child Mind Institute. “Our findings reveal significant disparities and barriers to care, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.”
Survey participants identified as Black/African American, Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, African immigrants, and other members of the African diaspora living in the U.S. They completed questionnaires detailing their experiences and the challenges they faced when seeking mental health care.
Key findings highlight the feelings and preferences Black families and youth have about mental health and seeking treatment. While more than three-quarters of both parents and young adults shared a generally positive view of mental health care and professionals, half of the respondents voiced concern that providers are too quick to prescribe medication to children and young adults.
Nearly half (46%) of both groups were concerned about the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and its negative effects. However, parents (28%) were less likely to be discouraged from seeking treatment for their children compared to young adults (42%) seeking care for themselves.
About half of both parents and young adults reported that white and non-Black mental health professionals often misunderstand or downplay the impact of racism on mental health when providing treatment. Respondents also reported their children facing an average of three mental health challenges, but noted they often didn’t receive treatment for all the issues they identified, highlighting significant gaps in mental health care.
Anxiety and depression were the most frequently reported mental health challenges among both groups, with young adults reporting higher rates of anxiety (69% vs. 46%) and depression (62% vs. 28%) than parents. When seeking treatment, common barriers included high costs, limited insurance coverage, long waitlists, and a shortage of local mental health providers.
To tackle these challenges, researchers recommend making care more affordable with subsidies, expanding telehealth access, increasing school-based mental health programs, and normalizing mental health conversations to reduce stigma within Black communities.
“These findings reveal a mental health system that is failing to meet the needs of Black families and young adults,” said Stephanie Bell-Rose, President and CEO of the Steve Fund. “From financial barriers to cultural misunderstandings in treatment, we’re seeing the same systemic failures whether in homes or on college campuses. This demands immediate, coordinated action.”
