Heart of a Man

An Engaging Men Virtual Series and Podcast

Heart of a Man speaker & conversation series

Heart of a Man is a series that seeks to engage men in dialogue on topics of identity, gender stereotypes, interpersonal violence, race, politics, and social justice. The series began in the Fall of 2020 and featured panels of men from diverse backgrounds, professions, and experiences who shared their stories and engaged in dialogue with one another.

In the Spring of 2023, Heart of a Man moved from live virtual events to a podcast format. We continue to create a space for community leaders and campus members to share how men engage from the heart in creating healthy relationships, healthy communities, and platforms for social change.

This series is a collaboration of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the SAFE Project that seeks to engage the campus community in the shared work of preventing sexual and relationship violence. Together, we can be the change we want to see in the world.

Safe Project LogoDiversity Matters LogoMulticultural Affairs Logo

Podcast Episodes

Episode 1: Heart of the Matter: Stories of Black Resistance

Join us for the kick-off of the new Heart of a Man podcast with a focus on Black History Month 2023: Black Resistance. This episode will feature Joshua Dodds, an educational consultant and Springfield Community member who will share stories of the figures within Black history who have inspired him on his own personal, academic, and professional journey.

Episode 2: Hearts and Minds: A Dialogue on Mentorship

How do you define mentorship? Does it happen in the classroom, the community, or beyond? This session will focus on how mentorship can shape the experiences of men of color in education both inside and outside of the classroom.

Listen as our guests share how they have overcome barriers through having a mentor and the impact that educational experiences have had on their lives, self-worth, and relationships. This episode features Miguel Maria, Carmelo Solivan, and Kurt Bordas from the Male Initiative for Leadership & Education Program (M.I.L.E.).

Episode 3: Asking for a Friend

This episode is a part of the SAFE Project events focused on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and will feature moderator James Lightfoot and guest Luis Santiago from the YWCA of Western Massachusetts. For this conversation, students from the Male Initiative for Leadership in Education (MILE) program at STCC submitted questions to "Ask for a Friend" about the topic of consent. Tune in to hear student questions and James and Luis's thoughtful and real-life responses.

About Our Moderator

James LightfootJames H. Lightfoot, III, M.S. is originally from Detroit, MI where he learned the importance of having an education and building a strong professional network. James attended Grand Valley State University where he attained a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Public Administration and Springfield College where he obtained a Master’s in Science degree in Organizational Management and Leadership. James’ experience includes work in youth programs from various community-based organizations throughout Michigan and Massachusetts. James is a higher education professional at Springfield Technical Community College where he serves as Coordinator of Academic Advising.

James’ other areas of experience include teaching, program coordination, mentoring, and liaison for youth organizations. James performs in Community Theater, enjoys the creative arts, and looks to create outlets for youth and young adults to express their creativity through the arts. Among his numerous community commitments, James makes time to serve on multiple boards and is a member of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Past Conversations

What are our experiences as men, and how do these experiences inform the way we relate to ourselves, our families, and our roles in the community? Join community and campus panelists as they share how their personal stories shaped how they have experienced healthy masculinity, practiced seeking support, and found ways to express vulnerability.

Date: Thursday, Oct 22
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Panelists:

  • Kevin Powell,  Acclaimed Writer, Author, Civil and Human Rights Activist
  • M. Quentin B.L. Williams, Esq., Educator, Author and International Speaker
  • Justice Roe Williams, Personal Trainer and Executive Director of BodyImage4Justice 
  • Brian Candido, STCC Faculty and Department Chair, Computer and Information Technology

If you missed the October 22 event please see the video below.

How can we show up to our role as fathers and in our families to challenge gender stereotypes, and model healthy and equitable relationships? Listen to campus and community panelists as they share how they engage with fatherhood to shift stereotypes, break cycles of violence, and create healing and change in their families for current and future generations.

Date: Thursday, Nov 12
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Panelists:

  • Dr. Anthony "Tony" C. Hill, Distinguished Associate Professor, Springfield College
  • Kevin Powell,  Acclaimed Writer, Author, Civil and Human Rights Activist
  • Joe Rivera, Chief STCC Police and Senior Director of Public Safety
  • M. Quentin B.L. Williams, Esq., Educator, Author and International Speaker
  • Justice Roe Williams, Personal Trainer and Executive Director of BodyImage4Justice

How do experiences of racialized trauma and police violence impact the way men of color show up to their families and communities, and what are the steps forward needed for both social change and healing? Listen to experts and community panelists as they get to the heart of the issue of police violence and its connection to violence inside the home, and help us to identify ways toward healing what is broken.

Date: Thursday, Dec 3
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Panelists:

  • Justin J. Hurst, Esq., Springfield City Councilor, Educator and Entrepreneur
  • Kevin Powell, Acclaimed Writer, Author, Civil and Human Rights Activist
  • Dr. Kobie Stewart, Assistant Professor/Coordinator, Criminal Justice, Asnuntuck Community College
  • M. Quentin B.L. Williams, Esq., Educator, Author and International Speaker

How do you define education? Is it in the classroom, the community, or beyond? This session will focus on how race, class, and gender shape the experiences of men of color in education both inside and outside of the classroom. Join campus and community panelists as they share how they have overcome barriers and the impact that educational experiences have had on their lives, self-worth, and relationships.

Date: Thursday, Feb 11, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Panelists:

  • Miguel Velez, ABE & ELL Intake Specialist, Springfield Adult Learning Center
  • Elijah A. Oliver Sr., MS., Founder & CEO of Take FLYGHT Enterprises
  • Michael Peterson, Father, Poet, Spoken Word Artist; Dean of Students, New Britain High School, CT
  • Shaun Woodly, PhD., Educator, Author and Professional Development Expert
  • Stephen A. Arrington, M.Ed, Assistant Principal at Dozier Middle School, Newport News VA, Musician, and Arts Advocate

How do experiences of racialized trauma and police violence impact the way men of color show up to their families and communities, and what is needed for both social change and healing?  Listen to experts and community panelists as we continue this dialogue, with a focus on current events that shed a light on the disproportionate response of law enforcement based on race, power, and political ideology.

Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Panelists:

  • Kobie Stewart, Ed.D., Assistant Professor/Coordinator, Criminal Justice, Asnuntuck Community College
  • J. Anthony Guillory Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty, History, STCC
  • Justin Hurst, Esq., President, Springfield City Council, Educator, Entrepreneur
  • José López-Figueroa, M.P.A., Director, Center for Access Services, STCC

Gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, is a widespread issue that impacts communities across the United States and around the world. As fathers, brothers, uncles, teachers, coaches, and friends, men hold a critical role in creating families and communities free of gender-based violence. Come and listen to experts and community panelists as they break down the complex roots of violence and share how men and masculine identified people can mobilize one another to create social change.

Date: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Panelists:

  • Jesse Mahler, Program Specialist- Futures Without Violence
  • Jorge Vidal, Director of Technical Assistance and Engagement- Caminar Latino
  • Eric Brown, M.Ed., Professor- Social Science, STCC
  • Luis Santiago, Direct Care Supervisor- YWCA of Western Mass.
  • Dr. Anthony C. Hill, Distinguished Associate Professor, Springfield College

Mental health and wellness is a critical issue throughout our country and on college campuses in particular. What are the challenges that prevent men from seeking support, addressing trauma, and taking steps to prioritize their own wellbeing?  Join campus and community panelists as they explore the impacts of race, class and gender on mens’ overall wellness. 

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Panelists:

  • Larry Spotted Crow Mann, Writer, Poet, Cultural Educator & Traditional Storyteller
  • Richard Greco, Dean of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, STCC
  • Dr. Anthony C. Hill, Distinguished Associate Professor, Springfield College
  • Abraham Sculley, Professional Mental Health Speaker, Educator, Author, & Storyteller

Join us for the kick-off of the fall 2021 Heart of a Man Virtual Engaging Men Series with a focus on Hispanic Heritage Month. What are our experiences as Hispanic/Latino men, and how do these experiences inform the way we relate to ourselves, our families, and our roles in the community? Come listen to campus and community panelists share their perspectives on healthy masculinity and the practice of seeking support and expressing vulnerability.

Date: Thursday, October 14, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom Webinar
Panelists: 

  • Gustavo Acosta, Academic Advisor, STCC
  • Miguel Maria, Director, Male Initiative for Leadership in Education (MILE), STCC
  • Luis Santiago, Direct Care Supervisor, YWCA of Western Massachusetts
  • Hugo Balta, Owner of Latino News Network
  • Jose Lopez-Figueroa, Director of the Center for Access Services, STCC

Heart Space is an intimate conversation spotlighting the voices of nationally known speakers who will share their stories and engage in dialogue on topics of identity, gender stereotypes, interpersonal violence, race, politics and social justice. In this session, we will feature Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, Award-winning Journalist, TV Personality, Author, and Social Justice Activist and Organizer.

Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom Webinar
Panelist: Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, Journalist, Author, Social Justice Activist, and Organizer.

Heart Space is an intimate conversation spotlighting the voices of nationally known speakers who will share their stories and engage in dialogue on topics of identity, gender stereotypes, interpersonal violence, race, politics, and social justice. In this session, we will feature Frederick Joseph, Award-winning author, Activist, Philanthropist, and Marketing Professional. 

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom Webinar
Panelist: 

  • Frederick Joseph, Award-winning Author, Activist, Philanthropist, and Marketing Professional

Frederick JosephFrederick Joseph is a Best-selling author and an award-winning activist, philanthropist, and marketing professional. His debut book, The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person, was an instant New York Times bestseller. Writing from the perspective of a friend, Joseph offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism and conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs—creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice.

He was named to the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, is a recipient of the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award from Comic-Con International, and was selected for the 2018 Root 100, an annual list of the most influential African Americans. Frederick consistently writes about marketing, culture, and politics for the Huffington Post, USA Today, NowThisNews, The Independent, amongst others and is a current contributor at AdWeek. He is also the creator of the largest individual Covid-19 support effort, the #RentRelief campaign, which has raised over $2 million dollars.

How do you define mentorship? Does it happen in the classroom, the community, or beyond? This session will focus on how mentorship can shape the experiences of men of color in education both inside and outside of the classroom.

Join campus and community panelists as we launch the new Heart of a Man Podcast Edition with a focus on Hispanic Heritage Month. Listen as our guests’ share how they have overcome barriers through having a mentor and the impact that educational experiences have had on their lives, self-worth, and relationships. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the SAFE Project, and the Male Initiative for Leadership & Education Program (M.I.L.E.).

Resources

Accommodations

Prospective students or current students who need accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services at 755-4785 or via email at disability-services@stcc.edu at least two weeks in advance.

Members of the general public or employees who need accommodations should contact Affirmative Action Officer, Kathryn C. Senie, Director of Compliance, Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, and ADA Coordinator at kcsenie@stcc.edu at least two weeks in advance.

Contact

If you are interested in learning about more ways to support the Heart of a Man Series, please feel free to contact us using the information below:

Cindy Breunig
Violence Prevention Coordinator
Campus Police
(413) 755-6553
cbreunig@stcc.edu