I Am Athlete welcomes special guests from OWN Network’s David Makes Man and friends for a family discussion centered on Mental Health in the black community.

As a long time champion of Mental Health, Brandon welcomes Tarell Alvin McCraney, an equal champion in Mental Health Awareness.  Tarell is an Oscar-winning screenwriter, playwright, and actor who co-wrote the 2016 film Moonlight, based on his own play, for which he received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and is the creator of OWN hit series David Makes Man.  

Tarell invites some of his close friends to join and shape the discussion.  The cast is led by Sterling K. Brown, an Emmy Award-winning actor that stars in NBC's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated drama series THIS IS US. For his role as Randall Pearson, Brown won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as well as a Golden Globe, becoming the first African American actor to win his category in the award show's 75-year history. 

Offering a younger perspective to the conversation, Akili McDowell, best known for his starring role in David Makes Man and The Astronaut Wives Club on ABC, adds insight from his personal experiences to bring a different angle to the topics. Rounding out the panel is actor, John Michael Hill, who stars as Detective Marcus Bell in the CBS series Elementary and actor Glenn Davis who has been featured in hit shows Billions, Jericho, The Unit and 24.

The guys watch a few scenes from the upcoming Season 2 of David Makes Man and break down the impact of the clip, and its connection to their own lives as youth and adults. Tarell talks about the reason he created the show David Makes Man, and why it matters for dialogue in the community.

Sterling connects the power of media and its ability to validate an overall experience, while using it to change traditional narratives held about black men. Brandon discusses a clip with Tarell and Akili from Season One of David Makes Man that impacted him while Akili offers a more pointed description and interpretation of the segment.

Teasing season two themes, Tarell introduces a clip emphasizing the need to properly deal with anxiety and trauma.  The guys talk about recovery and rest for the body and mind which gives Brandon an opportunity to bring up the ongoing debate of Ocho vs. Science. 

Tarell also previews a powerful moment from the upcoming season in which he shares the screen with director Barry Jenkins from his Oscar Winning Film, Moonlight and opens up about the need to write his “truth” within the pages of his scripts. It leads to a very poignant discussion 

And no show is complete without a home cooked meal and the guys are treated to a local speciality from a guest Chef. 

With Season 2 of I Am Athlete wrapped, the platform will continue to feature special content on Mondays at noon throughout the summer until the new season launches in August!

I AM ATHLETE is a thought provoking and in-depth podcast that offers multiple perspectives
on subjects ranging from sports to controversial topics to fashion to lifestyle covering all cultural conversations and building a platform to educate but encourage viewers to engage.

For I Am Athlete merchandise and apparel, visit www.HouseOfAthlete.com and for Chef Nancie's collection, visit www.ChefNancie.com. 

David Makes Man – Season 1, Now Streaming on HBO Max
David Makes Man – Season 2 airs Tuesdays at 9|8c on OWN