Wives Share Their Thoughts:
Why It Is Important for Their Husbands and Other Males of Color to Share Their Challenges and Victories!
Meet
Evelyn, Pernella, Chiara, and Michel
Evelyn Stewart

Dr. Mike Robinson: Who is your husband?
Evelyn Stewart: My husband is George Stewart, Jr.
.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Evelyn Stewart: My Son Has a Purpose Too: A Father’s Story of Autism.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Evelyn Stewart: It is important for Males of Color to share their testimony because it is through sharing their testimony that, not only will they find healing, but other males of color will be inspired, empowered, and also find healing.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it to the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Evelyn Stewart: I did read his chapter before it was submitted. I will share his story with family and beyond when the book is released
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Evelyn Stewart: The fact that he shared his story was surprising. George is not the most open person in the world. He has a tendency to hold things inside.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Evelyn Stewart: Five words to describe George are: Patient, Loyal, Spiritual, Persistent, Cautious
Evelyn Stewart: My husband is George Stewart, Jr.
.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Evelyn Stewart: My Son Has a Purpose Too: A Father’s Story of Autism.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Evelyn Stewart: It is important for Males of Color to share their testimony because it is through sharing their testimony that, not only will they find healing, but other males of color will be inspired, empowered, and also find healing.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it to the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Evelyn Stewart: I did read his chapter before it was submitted. I will share his story with family and beyond when the book is released
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Evelyn Stewart: The fact that he shared his story was surprising. George is not the most open person in the world. He has a tendency to hold things inside.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Evelyn Stewart: Five words to describe George are: Patient, Loyal, Spiritual, Persistent, Cautious
George Stewart, Jr.
Chapter:
My Son Has a Purpose Too: A Father’s Story of Autism
Pernella Deams

Dr. Mike Robinson: Who is your husband?
Pernella Deams: My husband is Dr. Verontae Deams
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Pernella Deams: The Test of a Man
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Pernella Deams: Males of Color, particularly African American males, should share their testimonies because there are people watching who have similar struggles. It is important to know how others overcame challenges and how they worked through them. People can operate on assumptions and developed beliefs that others “just have it easy.” As a trained counseling psychologist, I understand that males are often quiet and are encouraged to be silent about emotional circumstances. This is for both positive and negative experiences; celebrating success can be considered as bragging and defeats are considered weaknesses. I believe this has been the expectation at a greater level for men of Color, to hold everything in.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it to the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Pernella Deams: Verontae told me before he wrote his chapter that he was interested in submitting to the book. I was excited that he was interested in sharing his personal journey because he, like many, has a tendency to hold everything in. He has also been very quiet about his feelings, especially regarding challenges and what might be considered personal disappointments. When his chapter was accepted, he told his mother about it and shared his story with her.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Pernella Deams: What surprised me the most was his level of vulnerability; Verontae is very quiet and very much an internalizer. There are many more levels and layers to his experiences, but what he did share was a major leap for him. I believe he is growing in his trust level and working to build true friendships, especially with other males. His mother was also very surprised and expressed that she had no clue about some of the things he experienced in his childhood and his feelings about them. I believe she actually apologized to him after they discussed some of the things he shared in his chapter.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Pernella Deams: Family-Oriented, Servant, Compassionate, Wise, Faithful
Pernella Deams: My husband is Dr. Verontae Deams
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Pernella Deams: The Test of a Man
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Pernella Deams: Males of Color, particularly African American males, should share their testimonies because there are people watching who have similar struggles. It is important to know how others overcame challenges and how they worked through them. People can operate on assumptions and developed beliefs that others “just have it easy.” As a trained counseling psychologist, I understand that males are often quiet and are encouraged to be silent about emotional circumstances. This is for both positive and negative experiences; celebrating success can be considered as bragging and defeats are considered weaknesses. I believe this has been the expectation at a greater level for men of Color, to hold everything in.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it to the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Pernella Deams: Verontae told me before he wrote his chapter that he was interested in submitting to the book. I was excited that he was interested in sharing his personal journey because he, like many, has a tendency to hold everything in. He has also been very quiet about his feelings, especially regarding challenges and what might be considered personal disappointments. When his chapter was accepted, he told his mother about it and shared his story with her.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Pernella Deams: What surprised me the most was his level of vulnerability; Verontae is very quiet and very much an internalizer. There are many more levels and layers to his experiences, but what he did share was a major leap for him. I believe he is growing in his trust level and working to build true friendships, especially with other males. His mother was also very surprised and expressed that she had no clue about some of the things he experienced in his childhood and his feelings about them. I believe she actually apologized to him after they discussed some of the things he shared in his chapter.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Pernella Deams: Family-Oriented, Servant, Compassionate, Wise, Faithful
Dr. Verontae Deams
Chapter
The Test of a Man
Chiara Scott

Dr. Mike Robinson: Who is your husband?
Chiara Scott: My husband's is Dr. Lawrence C. Scott
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Chiara Scott: From Hopelessness to the Hallways of Higher Education
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Chiara Scott: That anything is possible. Based on the way he grew up and some of the things he had to endure to find his purpose in life is certainly a way he connects with people from all walks of life. He may be interacting with policymakers, business executives, and Community leaders one day, then at a school speaking to students and parents about success or scholarships from the Community for Life Foundation Scholarship or training leaders on how to reach students in high need areas. All this in addition to being a full-time professor, father, and husband.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Chiara Scott: Absolutely! My husband shares his story with almost everyone. He is a walking Testimony of what happens when his Faith in God meets his passion for students who grew up like him. His purpose was created by his need to contribute to this mission.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Chiara Scott: His current relationship with his father. He and his father had a very difficult past. He and his father can now look back and discuss these issues with others. His father is now a responsible and involved grandfather to our children. Whether it's going to games or playing music with his son and grandchildren, Lawrence's dad has come a long way on his road to redemption.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Chiara Scott: Compassionate, Loving, Strong, Relentless, and Spiritual
Chiara Scott: My husband's is Dr. Lawrence C. Scott
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Chiara Scott: From Hopelessness to the Hallways of Higher Education
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Chiara Scott: That anything is possible. Based on the way he grew up and some of the things he had to endure to find his purpose in life is certainly a way he connects with people from all walks of life. He may be interacting with policymakers, business executives, and Community leaders one day, then at a school speaking to students and parents about success or scholarships from the Community for Life Foundation Scholarship or training leaders on how to reach students in high need areas. All this in addition to being a full-time professor, father, and husband.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Chiara Scott: Absolutely! My husband shares his story with almost everyone. He is a walking Testimony of what happens when his Faith in God meets his passion for students who grew up like him. His purpose was created by his need to contribute to this mission.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Chiara Scott: His current relationship with his father. He and his father had a very difficult past. He and his father can now look back and discuss these issues with others. His father is now a responsible and involved grandfather to our children. Whether it's going to games or playing music with his son and grandchildren, Lawrence's dad has come a long way on his road to redemption.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Chiara Scott: Compassionate, Loving, Strong, Relentless, and Spiritual
Dr. Lawrence Scott
Chapter
From Hopelessness to the Hallways of Higher Education
Michel Davis Robinson

Dr. Mike Robinson: Who is your husband?
Michel Davis Robinson: My husband is Dr. Michael A. Robinson
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Michel Davis Robinson: Forged by My Foundation
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Michel Davis Robinson: Often the experiences of life’s painful situations and circumstances are sometimes misunderstood or worse, the effects go unnoticed when it comes to men of color. There is a direct correlation to the health and wealth of any community and the opportunity of expression of thoughts, feelings and personal connection.
Safe places and understanding listeners are hard to find for all of us, but for men of color I believe is more of a burden. How can a son protect his mother and sister in the absence of a husband and father in the home when he may feel he could not protect himself from harm? Where or who could a man of color talk to if he worries about being a good provider for his family both financially and emotionally when the lessons and examples were not always provided in his development into manhood. And while there are many organizations, groups, and clubs which in good faith try to fill those spaces in many of our men’s hearts, often those who are doing the work so faithfully are still in need of being filled themselves.
It is important for our men…of the most beautiful hues of color to speak and keep speaking in whispers, screams, in song, and praise and writing until they can be understood by themselves and by others. Therefore, this book is so important.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it to the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Michel Davis Robinson: I did read it. I cannot answer will he share with our family or have this conversation beyond the book. It is not my story to tell. I can only support what he wants to do with his truth.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Michel Davis Robinson: I was not surprised by the story because he has shared his life as a child with me. I was surprised he told his story.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Michel Davis Robinson: Love, Strength, Quiet, Stormy, Growing
Michel Davis Robinson: My husband is Dr. Michael A. Robinson
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the name of your husband's chapter in the book Gumbo for the Soul: Males of Color Share Their Stories, Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations?
Michel Davis Robinson: Forged by My Foundation
Dr. Mike Robinson: Why do you think it is important for Males of Color like your husband to share their testimony?
Michel Davis Robinson: Often the experiences of life’s painful situations and circumstances are sometimes misunderstood or worse, the effects go unnoticed when it comes to men of color. There is a direct correlation to the health and wealth of any community and the opportunity of expression of thoughts, feelings and personal connection.
Safe places and understanding listeners are hard to find for all of us, but for men of color I believe is more of a burden. How can a son protect his mother and sister in the absence of a husband and father in the home when he may feel he could not protect himself from harm? Where or who could a man of color talk to if he worries about being a good provider for his family both financially and emotionally when the lessons and examples were not always provided in his development into manhood. And while there are many organizations, groups, and clubs which in good faith try to fill those spaces in many of our men’s hearts, often those who are doing the work so faithfully are still in need of being filled themselves.
It is important for our men…of the most beautiful hues of color to speak and keep speaking in whispers, screams, in song, and praise and writing until they can be understood by themselves and by others. Therefore, this book is so important.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did you have an opportunity to read your husband’s chapter before he submitted it to the editors? Are there plans to share his story with other members of the family when the book is released?
Michel Davis Robinson: I did read it. I cannot answer will he share with our family or have this conversation beyond the book. It is not my story to tell. I can only support what he wants to do with his truth.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What surprised you or stood out from what your husband shared in his chapter?
Michel Davis Robinson: I was not surprised by the story because he has shared his life as a child with me. I was surprised he told his story.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What five words best describes your husband?
Michel Davis Robinson: Love, Strength, Quiet, Stormy, Growing