By Marlissa Collier
Jade Tinner wasn’t surprised by the statistics. The disproportionate incarceration rates, the lack of representation in leadership positions, the negative media portrayals – all painted a familiar picture of the struggles faced by Black men in America. Jade notes that growing up, the only positive male role model was her great-grandfather, Lee Burton, who she affectionately called “PaPaw”.
“My great-grandfather set the standard at which I hold men to – provider, protector, loved his wife, daughter, grandkids and great-grandkids.” Seeing the state of Black men as she entered adulthood perplexed Jade as she wondered where the men like her great-grandfather had gone. But Tinner had never been one to dwell on problems. She’s a builder, a believer in potential. So, she took action.
“When I first went to Dallas I was trying to get acclimated and find a niche”, Jade explains. “K104 did a Bowl-A-Thon and a young man got up and spoke about time living with his mom and her abusive boyfriend. At that moment, a light bulb went off,” says Jade. “Men go through things as adolescents and if they don’t get healing, it shapes who they become.”
Jade heard this young man’s story and wanted to help change this trajectory. And change it she did. Soon, she would launch the One United Resource Foundation, a holistic development organization focused on empowering young Black men from adolescence to adulthood. The program offered a three-pronged approach: mentorship programs that pair young men with successful Black professionals, scholarship opportunities to ease the financial burden of higher education, and workshops on topics like technology, mental health, and leadership development.
On a roll, in 2019, Jade expanded her reach and passion for creating spaces for Black men, launching the Men’s Brunch. The air buzzed with laughter and lively conversation as Black men from all walks of life gathered. The inaugural brunch was a celebration of Black excellence, a chance to build connections, and a reminder of the strength and resilience that flows through the Black community. On the menu was also mentorship, with established professionals sharing their journeys and offering guidance to the younger generation. The first of its kind in DFW, Jade explained that “prior to the first men’s brunch in 2019, there were no men’s empowerment events in DFW that were not connected to churches or fraternal groups.”
“Men’s brunch was curated in 2019, but then, COVID happened, so the next was 2021 and by 2022, Men’s Brunch became its own platform.” Her growing platform would ultimately come together under a new brand, Men About the Culture, meant to highlight men who upheld a standard of excellence through their leadership and work.
But, Men About the Culture isn’t exactly a traditional men’s group in the sense of a close-knit support group that meets regularly. Tinner describes the group as a “movement” and “platform” focused on empowering men. They celebrate the achievements of men and provide a space for encouragement and development. They host events and programs to connect and foster collaboration, with a focus on professional development and economic empowerment. There’s also a grant program to support minority entrepreneurs. They seem more like a professional networking group than a traditional therapy or support group for men’s issues.
According to Jade, in today’s society, therapeutic and supportive spaces are all the more important for Black men as they face significant challenges when it comes to mental health. Black men experience mental health issues at similar rates to the general population. However, their experiences tend to be more severe and disabling. First, Black men are also less likely to seek help for mental health concerns due to stigma, lack of culturally competent care, and limited access to mental health services. Additionally, Black men have a much higher suicide rate compared to other races, an especially concerning trend for young Black men.
Still, Jade is hopeful for better days as she pulls from a close-knit network of women to join in her advocacy for Black men. “The conversation and feedback I get from the men I advocate for lets me know that they feel that women are supporting them. They feel encouraged and empowered.” Jade adds that the “women that volunteer are high-ranking, successful individuals who feel the same sense of need to support Black men that I feel.”
Jade’s work has demonstrably impacted lives. “One of the biggest things is the collaboration outside of the walls.” Jade, who prides herself on being a bridger of people, says that she measures the success of Men About the Culture by the connections that it creates. “We have $300,000 worth of referrals between men who met in the spaces we curate. Men who are now doing business together, working on projects together, supporting other men’s events.” According to Jade, the work is “carrying over in their day-to-day lives.”
A unicorn of sorts, Jade had long ago made a name for herself as a leader in Dallas. The former Major Gift Officer for Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, where she curated the first fundraiser targeting donors of color, and the former Vice President of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Jade could’ve easily continued to build her personal brand. Nonetheless, Jade’s calling meant making it her work to create safe spaces for Black men, even during a time when gender relations between Black men and Black women are tense. But this tension isn’t new. Slavery and its aftermath left a legacy of social and economic disadvantages for Black communities. These disadvantages affect Black men and women differently. Black women often face sexism on top of racism, while Black men are disproportionately targeted by the criminal justice system.
Still, even as emotion swept over her as she reflected on past experiences with these contentious gender relations, Jade concluded “you can’t fight the calling. I never thought that I’d be doing this, but it’s God given,” she said. “Black men aren’t always living up to their fullest potential, but this platform provides them with a space to foster connection and collaboration, to have candid conversations about things that are actually important – more than Drake and Kendrick Lamar.”
She spends her days giving pieces of herself away for the betterment of others, but when asked what Jade keeps for herself, she mentioned her faith and her purpose. “This is my ministry, and it’s god given,” emphasizing that her work comes from a higher power, giving it meaning and purpose beyond temporary frustrations. “I’m very blessed that God chose me for my work.” Besides exercising gratitude for her work, taking care of her grandmother is another way she maintains her well-being. Even after suffering from a stroke in 2021, her grandmother remains her biggest fan and her bedrock. “She’s so cute, everyone loves to see her at all of the events.”
Tinner’s vision for the future extends beyond her individual success stories. Men About the Culture aims to dismantle systemic barriers by fostering a generation of Black men equipped to become leaders and change makers. “We’re not just building successful individuals,” she emphasizes, “We’re building kings who will uplift their communities and inspire future generations.”