There’s a certain electricity in the air when purpose meets patience. That hum of something powerful being built, brick by brick. For Sandra Nnaji, founder of Generation DMV, that hum sounded like conversation; small, honest, necessary. The kind that starts in quiet rooms and grows into movements.
“I noticed that in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, so many conversations about mental wellness were happening,” she shared in an interview with CTZNS, “but Black men weren’t always in the room. I wanted to change that.”
So, she did.
Generation DMV began as an act of compassion, a soft rebellion against silence. What started as a single conversation has since evolved into a full nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging awareness, access, and action in mental health for Black men. In a region where the rhythm of ambition often drowns out the sound of self-care, Generation DMV is creating a new soundtrack: one that plays in classrooms, community centers, and conversations across the DMV.
Reclaiming the Narrative of Strength
The heart of Generation DMV beats loudest where vulnerability lives. The organization’s mission isn’t just to talk about mental health, it’s to reframe it.
“When men see other men who look like them… athletes, artists, educators, leaders… openly discussing therapy, trauma, and healing, it changes the narrative,” Sandra explains. “We emphasize that strength isn’t about silence; it’s about seeking support.”
Through free resources, therapy partnerships, and open-mic-style community sessions, Generation DMV gives men permission to take off the armor. The message is simple, yet radical in its clarity: authenticity is strength.
It’s not polished, it’s not perfect, it’s real.
The Weight of the World, Measured in Bills and Expectations
Of course, healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Today’s economy is a storm many are trying to survive, and for men, especially Black men, the pressure often feels like carrying thunder on your back.
“Economic pressure is one of the biggest stressors we see affecting men’s mental health in today’s world,” Sandra says. “From the cost of living to job instability, financial responsibilities can create a sense of constant survival mode.”
It’s why Generation DMV takes a holistic approach. Financial literacy, career mentorship, and resource access are part of the healing equation. The organization doesn’t separate mental wellness from money, because life doesn’t. “Understanding money, access to opportunity, and community support are all key parts of healing and stability,” Sandra reminds us.
Walking Together, Out of the Darkness
In a world that often moves too fast to listen, Generation DMV’s work reminds us to walk. Literally.
This month, they’ll join CTZNS & Friends for the Out of the Darkness Walk in Washington, D.C., a yearly gathering that honors those we’ve lost, uplifts those still fighting, and reminds every participant that community is medicine.
“Well, I’m most certainly looking forward to the unity,” Sandra says with a soft grin. “This walk is such a powerful reminder that none of us are alone in this fight. Every step we take represents hope, awareness, and a commitment to breaking cycles of silence.”
There’s something poetic about that. Steps echoing on pavement, thousands of feet marching toward light. It’s the sound of collective healing, and Generation DMV will be right in the middle of it.
The Village That Heals Together
CTZNS believes in that same rhythm. That there is no single path to wellness, only the shared journey toward it. The upcoming collaboration between CTZNS & Friends and Generation DMV is more than just participation; it’s an alignment of missions. Both movements stand for visibility, vulnerability, and victory.
When we say “The Village,” we’re talking about moments like these — when individuals decide that silence is no longer sacred, and community becomes the cure.
Sandra’s story isn’t just hers. It’s every man who’s learning to unlearn. Every friend who’s choosing to check in. Every person taking one small, brave step toward better.
Join CTZNS & Friends and Generation DMV at the 2025 Out of the Darkness Walk in Washington, D.C. Together, we walk toward the light.
