Episode notes
What happens when a man is grieving—but feels like he has nowhere to put the pain?
In Episode 8 of Inherited, hosts Jessica Sanchez and Dr. Valencia Henry sit down with Alfred J. Robinson, author of A Black Man’s Divorce Memoir, for an honest conversation about divorce, fatherhood, grief, faith, masculinity, and the emotional experiences Black men are too often expected to carry in silence.
Alfred shares his lived experience navigating the end of a marriage, changes in daily access to his children, family court, and the process of rebuilding his life and faith after everything he knew changed.
Together, we explore what happens when grief goes unnamed—and why men need spaces where vulnerability is not treated as weakness.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The grief that can accompany divorce and separation • Losing everyday moments with your children as a father • Why some Black men struggle to openly express emotional pain • Cultural messages around masculinity, strength, and vulnerability • Navigating fatherhood after divorce • Faith after loss and major life transitions • The importance of mental health and healing spaces for men • Breaking generational patterns around emotional silence • Redefining strength for the next generation of Black boys and men
One of the most powerful questions raised in this conversation is simple:
Who takes care of the men who have been taught to take care of everyone else?
This episode isn't about blaming mothers, fathers, former partners, or families. It's about creating room for a conversation that is often missing: men experience grief too, and they deserve opportunities to process it, heal from it, and remain connected to their families and communities.
About Our Guest
Alfred J. Robinson is the author of A Black Man’s Divorce Memoir and Chief Creator Officer. Through his writing and advocacy, Alfred speaks about divorce, fatherhood, faith, family court, and the emotional realities men may struggle to put into words.
Learn more about Alfred and his work at BlackManDivorceMemoir.com.
About Inherited
Inherited is hosted by Jessica Sanchez, Founder & CEO of Daughters of Both Suns, and Dr. Valencia Henry, Founder of VQS Access Health.
🎙️ Episode 8: What Happens When Black Men Grieve in Silence?
If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to Inherited, share this episode, and start a conversation with a man in your life. Sometimes the most important question we can ask is simply: “How are you really doing?”