This Mental Health Awareness Month, we partnered with Eagle Academy for Young Men in Brooklyn and Queens for another impactful edition of Mindful May, powered by New Balance. This year's gathering carried even more weight following the heartbreaking passing of Jaden Pierre, a student from the Eagle Academy Queens community, reminding all of us how urgent and necessary conversations around mental health truly are.
Mental health among young men is still too often overlooked, despite the pressures and expectations many carry every day. Through Mindful May, the Kinnect team intentionally created space for these students to step outside of their usual environment to openly engage in conversations around emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, and community support.
To guide the experience, we welcomed mental health advocates lan Davis and Jordan Pierre, who led the students through a series of wellness-centered exercises and honest conversations designed to encourage vulnerability, reflection, and empowerment. From movement and mindfulness activities, to deeper discussions around protecting your peace and checking in with yourself and others, the day centered on giving these young men tools they can carry with them long after the event ended.
We're incredibly grateful to New Balance for providing gear for the students, as well as to Koia, Jacob Bar, and Bklyn Blend for helping keep everyone fueled throughout the day.