“To the Men Still Holding It Together” By Another Stronger Mind - Ernest James Usher III

There’s a certain kind of silence that hits men this time of year. The kind that sits heavy between paychecks, behind smiles, and inside that deep breath you take before walking through the door — the breath that says, “I’m trying.”

For many Black men, Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and family photos. It’s about pride and pressure. It’s about stretching a check that never seems long enough, making a little feel like a lot, and pretending you’re okay so nobody else worries. You clock in early; you take on extra shifts; you pick upside jobs that don’t pay what they should — all because you love your people too much to give up.

But let’s be real: sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it feels like you’re running a marathon in boots made of concrete. The bills don’t wait, the world doesn’t slow down, and the pressure to be “the provider” can feel like a test you didn’t ask to take.

Yet even in the struggle, there’s beauty. There’s something powerful about the man who stays, who shows up, who fights through exhaustion to make his family smile. You may not have it all — but you give your all. And that means something.

At Another Stronger Mind, we see you. We praise you. You are not invisible, and your effort is not small. You are the backbone of your family, the quiet storm that keeps everything standing when the world gets heavy. This Thanksgiving don’t let comparison steal your joy. The size of your table doesn’t measure the size of your heart. Whether it’s a big feast or a small meal, if your home is filled with love, laughter, and gratitude — brother, you’ve already won. Take pride in the fact that you’re still standing. Still trying. Still loving. Because strength isn’t about never falling — it’s about getting up, again and again, even when your spirit feels tired.

So, here’s to you — the fathers, sons, brothers, and uncles who give, protect, and push through. Your worth is not tied to your wallet; it’s tied to your will. And this season, we honor you for both.

Family means everything. And you, my brother, mean everything to yours.