Joel Leon

For Father’s Day, an homage to the fathers who are breaking generational trauma, and to those recovering from it.

The storyteller introduces his column on Black lives and self-care.

Far too often, we correlate what we do with our worth and value. But we’re way more than our output.

Joel Leon is a performer, author and storyteller born and raised in the Bronx, who writes and tells stories for Black people. He is the author of “A Book About Things I Will Tell My Daughter” and “God Wears Durags Too,” and a father to Lilah and West. He’s been featured in the Columbia Journal, BBC…

Joel Leon is a performer, author and storyteller born and raised in the Bronx, who writes and tells stories for Black people. He is the author of “A Book About Things I Will Tell My Daughter” and “God Wears Durags Too,” and a father to Lilah and West. He’s been featured in the Columbia Journal, BBC…

Joel Leon is a performer, author and storyteller born and raised in the Bronx, who writes and tells stories for Black people. He is the author of “A Book About Things I Will Tell My Daughter” and “God Wears Durags Too,” and a father to Lilah and West. He’s been featured in the Columbia Journal, BBC…

Our hearts cannot heal and grow if we avoid the pain in front of us.

Standing in your truth, in the power of your word, worth and work takes an unbelievable amount of courage—but it also takes a village to get there.

Surrendering is our gateway to freedom.

Instead of blaming others, when we look inward, often we can see the things we are quick to judge reflected in us.

It may take us time, but if we’re patient enough, what we seek will find us.

There is no instruction manual for this, so buckle up and enjoy it.

Even in the midst of our suffering, hope and love can still resonate.

For Suicide Prevention Month, let’s examine how we show up for ourselves.

And that love lives in our hearts.

Far too often, we correlate what we do with our worth and value. But we’re way more than our output.

Take every opportunity. Just keep writing.

Take every opportunity. Just keep writing.