Family wholeness and wellness
- XB LLC
- May 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 31
Hey friend 👋🏾
How are you really doing?
As Black people, we are faced with many social barriers. They can come in systemic, health, or cultural forms. Over time, it builds up and that weight affects how we show up for ourselves and for each other. It can also quietly take a toll on our mental and physical health.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and so we're creating space to talk about it honestly and highlighting some helpful resources. We also want to remember the role of community in wellness and that taking care of ourselves can be as simple as drinking lots of water, taking walks and doing something that brings us joy.
Let’s dive in.
Events Near You
More community events for you this month! Click each link to learn more.
Afro House: A Celebration of Africa Day | May 23
Better when we Outside | May 23
Soul Line Dancing (Beaverton) | May 29
The Mask by the Blk Out | May 31
Black Mental Health Support
It's okay to not be okay. But when we suffer in silence, things can feel heavier than they need to and the people who love us may not know we're struggling until we find the courage to speak up. Our community has faced so much: rising rates of suicide, intergenerational trauma, everyday racism, and right here in our city, displacement and the loss of the neighborhoods that once held us together. All of this has deepened the anxiety and depression many of our families carry. And when misdiagnosis and cultural stigma make it hard to reach out for help, too many of us are left without the healing we deserve.
That's exactly why community matters so much. Mental health is for all of us, our children, our elders, and everyone in between and when we come together, we remember that we are not alone. We share our burdens and feel a little lighter. We notice when someone we love isn't quite themselves, and we can step in before things reach a breaking point. And together, we find the pathways to healing and support that none of us could find on our own.
Organizations like Imani Center, Avel Gordly Center at OHSU, and The Miracles Club have programs that provide culturally specific psychiatric care, Black peer-led recovery, and mental health and addiction treatment. If any of these resources speak to someone you love, please pass them along. You never know whose life you might change.
Organization Spotlight ✨
The Black Parent Initiative (BPI) was built on a simple but powerful belief: when families are supported, children thrive. Grounded in research that highlights the vital role parents and family play in a child's academic success, BPI was founded to walk alongside families on their journey toward financial stability, educational achievement, and spiritual well-being.
Through programs like Sacred Roots, Sawubona, Together We Can, and Black Family Connection, BPI wraps families in a network of care and support. Their services create safe and nurturing home environments, strengthen parenting and child development, and help individuals and families grow into the fullest versions of themselves. And because BPI knows that children don't thrive in isolation, their work extends to parents and the broader community, creating spaces for healing, connection, and whole-family wellness.
From economic stability and employment readiness to mental and physical health, cultural identity, and long-term sustainability, BPI is committed to equipping every family with what they need to not just survive, but truly flourish.
If this work resonates with you, consider supporting it. Every contribution helps keep these programs alive in our community.
Add Your Nonprofit to XB Community Directory
Did you know that you can register your nonprofit or community-based organization (CBO) on the XB Community app? Â Download the app to add your organization to the largest Black-owned directory in Portland. Listing your organization helps you reach 10,000+ members who can support or benefit from your cause.
Our Social Media Packages
We now have three ways you can share your brand or event with the community through our social media channels and app. Our platform connects you to tens of thousands of engaged members who celebrate Black culture, creativity, and excellence. Get started with one of our packages and spotlight your work in an authentic and relatable way. Select a package to get started.
It's a wrap! As usual, if you liked this newsletter, forward it to a friend. Â See you next time!
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Culture - Connection - Community
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