Meditation for Black Men Who Do Too Much is a monthly mass meditation held every fourth Saturday, offering overcommitted, overextended, and overworked Black men a disciplined space to meditate, listen, and rest. The movement began in personal loss: when Kenji Summers’ father died from heart failure having never taken a vacation in retirement, it revealed a life lived overworked and underloved; while searching his father’s home for a will, he instead found a book titled Meditation for Men Who Do Too Much. That moment clarified the assignment.
Launched on Mamba Day, August 24, 2024, MFBMWDTM was created by a Black man who does too much, Kenji Summers (@kenjisummers), a certified mindfulness instructor and initiator of Free Peace, and is moderated by therapist James “Amen” Bourne (@mindfulnesstherapyservices), this event delves into topics like overthinking, overcommitment, work addiction, burnout, anxiety, depression, grief, survivor’s guilt, hustle-grind culture, and crashout capitalism; all while fostering community through the practice of ‘working in’.
The movement has bee featured in Essence Magazine (p. 66, May/June 2025 issue), highlighting its cultural impact and necessity.
Each month, we center our experience around a muse or muses—a Black man or Black men whose journey or journeys offer wisdom and reflection. Through timely yet timeless stories, we explore the intersections of healing-centered history, contemplation, and creativity.
For MFBM, music isn’t just background sound—it’s an essential part of our practice. Whether it’s the meditative hum of Coltrane’s sax or the introspective bars of K. Lamar, we use sound as a tool for deep listening and inner alignment. The vibrations guide us inward, helping us tune into ourselves and each other.
September’s Free Peace Timecode is Peace is Below.
We made space for you. Take a seat. You made it back home.
MFBMWDTM Merch is back available
MFBM’s First In-person
Meditation for Black Men Who Do Too Much
Presents “Black Fathers Who Do Too Much”
Sunday, June 15, 2025
11:00 AM
BKc – 361 Canal Street, NYc
Hosted by: Free Peace x The Brooklyn Circus (BKc)
Floral arrangements by: BUDS
This Father’s Day, brothers were invited to the first in-person experience of Meditation for Black Men Who Do Too Much — a sacred pause for Black fathers, sons, and the men who were never told it’s okay to rest.
What Took Place:
- Opening reflection: “What did your father teach you about rest?”
- Contemplation on the 100-year Plan of BKc
- Wisdom talk, breathwork, and guided meditation were led by Kenji Summers
- Deep listening to a live performance by Alwyn
- Soundscapes of soul & spiritual jazz filled the space
- Scents were provided by New Way of Life
- Floral arrangements were offered by BUDS
- A roundtable featured Black fathers & sons in conversation
