#NNPA BlackPress

Speaker, Author Cheron Griffin is on a Mission to Stem Epidemic of Suicide Among Black Youth with New Book

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — Shocked and saddened by what she was hearing in her classrooms when she worked as a substitute teacher a few years ago, freedom coach, lifestyle hacker, dating consultant, divorce guru, and author Cheron Griffin, felt she had to do something about it. “When I asked the children what was on their hearts, they started to tell me some of their parents and other family members had tried to commit suicide and how it affected them.” Some of the children had themselves contemplated suicide citing low self-esteem, bullying, or abuse or not feeling loved in the home as reasons.

Published

6 years ago

October 3, 2019

Oakland Post

Author Cheron Griffin (Courtesy photo)

By Nadine Matthews,

Shocked and saddened by what she was hearing in her classrooms when she worked as a substitute teacher a few years ago, freedom coach, lifestyle hacker, dating consultant, divorce guru, and author Cheron Griffin, felt she had to do something about it. “When I asked the children what was on their hearts, they started to tell me some of their parents and other family members had tried to commit suicide and how it affected them.” Some of the children had themselves contemplated suicide citing low self-esteem, bullying, or abuse or not feeling loved in the home as reasons.

Griffin clarifies that though when she says she wrote the book for our children, she means ALL of society’s children, she does want people to be aware that suicide has started to have an enormous impact on the Black community. “Black children between the ages of eight to twelve are number on in that age range, who are committing suicide. In the Houston school system over a thousand children committed suicide last year.”

The irrepressible Philadelphia native (she’s currently based in Houston) thought it best to come up with a way to prevent people from giving in to the dark thoughts and emotions that lead to suicide. Cheron Griffin decided to write her own book, “I SEE YOU: Igniting Hope & Preventing Suicide,” her own way.

More a pithy, punchy booklet full of hopeful snippets and colorful custom emojis, “I SEE YOU: Igniting Hope & Preventing Suicide” is helpful advice and encouragement anyone on the brink of suicide or self-harm can easily digest. The strategy makes a lot of sense. When someone is at the point of contemplating suicide they often don’t even have the energy to get out of bed. Reading a book full of complicated ideas then, is certainly also out of the question. The book’s text is punctuated by the three-syllable refrain, “I see you,” as its passionate, hopeful motif, and ends with the phone number for the National Suicide Hotline. That particular phrase is important because, Griffin says, “Not enough people know that someone really does see them. We communicate so much about the negatives in our society that a lot of people get lost. I see you and you are loved really is the gist of the book.”

Per her bio, Griffin is a published author, radio talk show personality, internationally known speaker, and entrepreneur with a 12-year tenure in philanthropy. She is also the CEO of Grow a Girl Network Inc., a non-profit organization that addresses multiple issues affecting our youth. “I’ve had the desire to encourage people all of my adult life, but it was when I was substitute teaching.

Though it was media reports that finally prompted Griffin the mother (and grandmother of three also has personal experience with suicide, revealing that her god-daughter recently attempted suicide. “Thank God, she’s okay now but she is still dealing with anxiety and depression,” states Griffin.

Griffin isn’t done yet. Creating a comprehensive creative protocol to combat suicide, she has also composed an ode to faith, hope and the rewards of carrying on, entitled I See You Freedom, which is available on Soundcloud. She’s also working on a film script with the same themes.

An avid traveler who has been to Thailand, Spain, the Caribbean, and Tokyo among other places, Griffin will soon be hosting numerous self-care retreats around the world. “Traveling for me is self-care. That’s when I really get the time to talk with God about my issues and press the restart button on my life. Traveling allows you to experience other cultures if you really take the time to. You get an appreciation of your own blessings.”

Griffin is also a former First Lady, an experience she pulled on for her most recent book, “3PM: The Preacher, The Power, The Penis, and Me” and her reality series “Preacher’s Exes.” She indicates that the experience for many First Ladies, is far from what we would assume. “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I hate the term, ‘First’ Lady. It means that there were others.” she laughs. She also witnessed a lack of accountability, opportunism, and rampant hypocrisy that got in the way of the true mission. On a less bittersweet note, she explained, “It has helped me in what I’m doing now as far as my faith. Being in ministry allowed me to acquire that.”

“I SEE YOU: Igniting Hope & Preventing Suicide” is now available on Amazon.

This article originally appeared in The Los Angeles Sentinel.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Kaiser Physician Promotes Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Don't Miss

Sola Impact Launches The BeeHive

Oakland Post

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

3 hours ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

2 days ago

May 28, 2025

admin

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: