Our Mission + The Journey
Discover the transformative journey of Derin Lindsey, founder of For Black Men Health Inc., as he shares his personal story of overcoming health challenges and advocating for black men’s wellness. Learn about our mission to empower men of color to prioritize their mental, physical, spiritual, and financial well-being. Join us in our movement to create lasting change through education, support, and community-driven events.
The Journey to For Black Men Health
Hello world, I’m Derin Lindsey, a graphic designer and entrepreneur. My life was forever changed in September 2021 after evacuating to Houston, TX from New Orleans, LA due to Hurricane Ida. What I didn’t expect to find upon arriving was that I was battling Stage 5 Kidney Disease (End-Stage Renal Disease), caused by untreated hypertension.
I had been feeling sick since July—nauseous, losing my appetite, dealing with muscle cramps and blurred vision—but I didn’t know what was happening. I tried everything I could think of to feel better: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Mucinex, Robitussin—nothing worked. When I finally got to Houston, a relative noticed how bad I looked and insisted I go to urgent care. That’s when I found out my blood pressure was dangerously high—217/117. A few days later, after my condition didn’t improve, I ended up in the hospital. After countless tests, the doctor told me I was in kidney failure. It hit me hard. I was in disbelief and couldn’t wrap my head around it.
On September 8th, the day after my hospital visit, I underwent surgery to have a catheter inserted into my chest and began dialysis. That moment marked a turning point in my life—a tragic, eye-opening wake-up call. But it also lit a fire in me. I knew I had to use this experience to help others. I immediately began sharing my story online using the hashtag #INeedBlackMenToGoToTheDoctor. My journey has transformed me in ways I never expected, and now I’m dedicated to advocating For Black Men to take their health seriously and visit the doctor. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did without taking action and being aware of what's going on in their bodies.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve been actively organizing events like Black Men Bike, Black Men Box, Black Men Run, (my favorite) Black Men Yoga, Men Meditation and Mental Health, and our latest initiative—Black Men Pray. These events are all about creating spaces for Black men to come together, prioritize their health, and support one another.
In November 2024, we received approval to officially turn For Black Men into For Black Men Health Inc.—a nonprofit. I can’t express how excited I am to introduce our new name to the world in March 2025. This is just the beginning, and I’m so excited to see how many lives we can impact with funding, resources, and the unwavering support of our community. Together, we can make real change in the health and lives of men of color everywhere.
OUR MISSION:
For Black Men Health Inc.
For Black Men Health Inc. is dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and educating Black men. Our mission is to inspire and motivate men of color to prioritize their mental, physical, spiritual and financial well-being through impactful events, conferences, and workshops that foster growth, health, and community.
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Celebrating Black Men: Uplifting and honoring the unique strength and resilience of Black men.
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Empowering Communities: Providing the resources and tools necessary for Black men to take control of their health and future.
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Educational Initiatives: Offering workshops, conferences, and events to equip Black men with valuable knowledge on mental, physical, and financial wellness.
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Fostering Connection: Building a supportive network and community where Black men can thrive together.
