Heart of a Man Series at STCC

Heart of a Man is a virtual series engaging men in dialogue on topics of identity, gender stereotypes, interpersonal violence, race, politics, and social justice. Each event will feature a panel of men from diverse backgrounds, professions, and experiences who will share their stories and engage in dialogue with participants.

This series is a collaboration of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Title IX, and #STCCWeCan. #STCCWeCan is an initiative of the STCC Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) Campus Program grant that seeks to engage the campus community in the shared work of preventing sexual and relationship violence. 

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Spring 2023

.In the Spring of 2023, Heart of a Man moved from live virtual events to a podcast format on Spotify.

Podcast Episodes

Episode 1: Heart of the Matter: Stories of Black Resistance

Join us for the kick-off of the new Heart of a Man podcast with a focus on Black History Month 2023: Black Resistance. This episode will feature Joshua Dodds, an educational consultant and Springfield Community member who will share stories of the figures within Black history who have inspired him on his own personal, academic, and professional journey.

Episode 2: Hearts and Minds: A Dialogue on Mentorship

How do you define mentorship? Does it happen in the classroom, the community, or beyond? This session will focus on how mentorship can shape the experiences of men of color in education both inside and outside of the classroom.

Listen as our guests share how they have overcome barriers through having a mentor and the impact that educational experiences have had on their lives, self-worth, and relationships. This episode features Miguel Maria, Carmelo Solivan, and Kurt Bordas from the Male Initiative for Leadership & Education Program (M.I.L.E.).

Episode 3: Asking For a Friend: A Heartfelt Conversation about Consent

This episode is a part of the SAFE Project events focused on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and will feature moderator James Lightfoot and guest Luis Santiago from the YWCA of Western Massachusetts. For this conversation, students from the Male Initiative for Leadership in Education (MILE) program at STCC submitted questions to "Ask for a Friend" about the topic of consent. Tune in to hear student questions and James and Luis's thoughtful and real-life responses.

Fall 2021

Heart Space: A Conversation with Frederick Joseph

Heart Space is an intimate conversation spotlighting the voices of nationally known speakers who will share their stories and engage in dialogue on topics of identity, gender stereotypes, interpersonal violence, race, politics, and social justice. In this session, we will feature Frederick Joseph, Award-winning author, Activist, Philanthropist, and Marketing Professional. 

November 18, 2021

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Heart Space is an intimate conversation spotlighting the voices of nationally known speakers who will share their stories and engage in dialogue on topics of identity, gender stereotypes, interpersonal violence, race, politics and social justice. In this session, we will feature Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, Award-winning Journalist, TV Personality, Author, and Social Justice Activist and Organizer.

Learn more about Dr. Marc Lamont Hill.

October 20, 2021

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The kick off of the Heart of a Man Virtual Engaging Men Series entitled, Con Todo Corazón: Perspectives on Healthy Masculinity. This event is being held in recognition of both Hispanic Heritage Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month and will feature STCC's very own Miguel Velez, Gustavo Acosta, José Lopez-Figueroa, Miguel Maria, and James Lightfoot, as well as Luis Santiago from the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, and Hugo Balta, owner and publisher of Latino Network News.

October 14. 2021

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Spring 2021

MENtally Showing Up: A Dialogue on Mental Health and Wellness:  Mental health and wellness is a critical issue throughout our country and on college campuses in particular. What are the challenges that prevent men from seeking support, addressing trauma, and taking steps to prioritize their own wellbeing?  Join campus and community panelists as they explore the impacts of race, class and gender on mens’ overall wellness.

May 6, 2021

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Changing Hearts: Men's Role in Ending Gender Based Violence - Gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, is a widespread issue that impacts communities across the United States and around the world. As fathers, brothers, uncles, teachers, coaches, and friends, men hold a critical role in creating families and communities free of gender-based violence.

April 8, 2021

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Black and Blue Part II: A Dialogue on Police Violence and Men of Color - How do experiences of racialized trauma and police violence impact the way men of color show up to their families and communities, and what is needed for both social change and healing?  Listen to experts and community panelists as we continue this dialogue, with a focus on current events that shed a light on the disproportionate response of law enforcement based on race, power, and political ideology.

March 11, 2021

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Hearts and Minds-A Dialogue on Education - How do you define education? Is it in the classroom, the community, or beyond? This session will focus on how race, class, and gender shape the experiences of men of color in education both inside and outside of the classroom. Join campus and community panelists as they share how they have overcome barriers and the impact that educational experiences have had on their lives, self-worth, and relationships.

February 11, 2021

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Fall 2020

Black and Blue: A Dialogue on Police Violence and Men of Color (Part 1) - How do experiences of racialized trauma and police violence impact the way men of color show up to their families and communities, and what are the steps forward needed for both social change and healing? Listen to experts and community panelists as they get to the heart of the issue of police violence and its connection to violence inside the home, and help us to identify ways toward healing what is broken.

December 3, 2020

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The Heart of a Father: A Dialogue on Gender Stereotypes and Healthy Relationships - How can we show up to our role as fathers and in our families to challenge gender stereotypes, and model healthy and equitable relationships? Listen to campus and community panelists as they share how they engage with fatherhood to shift stereotypes, break cycles of violence, and create healing and change in their families for current and future generations.

November 12, 2020

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From the Heart: A Dialogue on Healthy Masculinity -  What are our experiences as men, and how do these experiences inform the way we relate to ourselves, our families, and our roles in the community? Join community and campus panelists as they share how their personal stories shaped how they have experienced healthy masculinity, practiced seeking support, and found ways to express vulnerability. 

October 22, 2020

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