117. Hip-Hop Heals: A Conversation on Music, Mental Health, and Community with Christopher LeMark

Founder of Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health, Christopher LeMark, joins Dr. Avanti to explore the intersection of music, mental health, and community empowerment. Drawing from his own life's adversities, including childhood trauma and mental health struggles, Christopher shares how a pivotal moment in a coffee shop led him to therapy and eventually to founding his organization. He discusses the power of hip-hop in opening the conversation on mental health in the black community, and how representation is crucial, especially for black men, to feel safe and understood. They address how community support, like volunteering and financial contributions, is vital for the sustainability of the organization’s mission, and how Christopher’s organization addresses not just therapy but also basic needs like food and employment.