By Ashton Hutchinson
In certain spaces across Chicago, young black men are having conversations they never expected to have. They talk about anxiety. About pain. About Losing friends too soon. About grief. Empathy. Love. They are transparent about the weight they carry. The kind of weight that makes them sleep with one eye open. Or causes them to not sleep at all. However, they still hope that maybe one day, with the right support, they will be relieved of these feelings.
For decades, these conversations were rare, hidden behind stigma and stereotypes. But leaders like McKinley Nelson of Project sWish Chicago and Curtis Henderson of Project LOVE Chicago are working tirelessly to change that. They are building environments where mental health isn’t overlooked, it’s embedded into the culture.
Nelson started this work due to lived experience. Growing up in Auburn Gresham, he balanced academic achievement with athletic success, winning a state championship at Whitney Young. But beneath all of the success was struggle. “I suffered from depression, anxiety, PTSD… from losing friends to violence and being around it,” he says. In 2017 and 2018, he sought professional help twice. “I wanted other kids to have the same opportunity to feel better. My part was to provide prevention — keep them out of harm’s way and bring in people who are licensed to help.”
Project sWish uses basketball to get the attention of the young people, but their amazing programming is what wins them over. Project sWish offers therapy sessions, free meals, school supplies, financial literacy workshops, and more. These programs are held in high-crime neighborhoods and led by people from the community. “When we come to the gym, we’re family… no matter what neighborhood you come from.”
Curtis Henderson began his journey with service, over 200 hours through the kappa leadership institute and KLAR Leadership Academy. But what really lead to Henderson starting this organization was his deep frustration on how the rest of the world viewed his beloved city. “Whenever I went away, people would say, ‘Oh, you’re from Chiraq,’ and it never sat right with me. I knew the greatness, resilience, and talent here.”
Henderson is providing a lot of resources in education, mental wellness, and career readiness through Project LOVE Chicago. Similar to Project sWish, Henderson provides free tutoring, therapy sessions, college prep, and financial literacy workshops. Project Love Chicago has signature events like the Christmas Classic and “No Days Off” initiative which give the youth experiences and guidance they never had before. “The most rewarding part is knowing I’ve opened a door that can change the course of someone’s future.” says Henderson.
Both Henderson and Nelson believe that their organizations are success because they meet young men where they are. Henderson really stresses the importance of starting mental health conversations early: “We can equip young people with the tools to navigate both the highs and lows of life, on and off the court.” Nelson agrees: “Everybody experiences down moments… but if you realize you’re there, the only place you can possibly go is up.”
In Chicago, many young men feel as if focusing on their mental health and well being is a burden. They were taught the importance of being strong, and that emotions are a sign of weakness. This is not true. Being able to navigate your emotions is a sign of power. And leaders like Curtis Henderson and McKinley Nelson are equipping our youth with the tools they need to be successful AND powerful.
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