Day 1 of the WayMaker Men’s Summit wasn’t just an event—it was a cultural shift. From the very first panel to the last mic drop of the night, hundreds of Black men gathered at The Beehive in South LA on Thursday, June 5, for a day dedicated to healing, community, and radical brotherhood. What unfolded was a soulful, electric celebration of vulnerability, joy, and strength—all launching what is now being hailed as Culture’s Biggest Week, in partnership with BET.

The morning began at 8:30 AM with the Creator’s Breakfast, setting the tone for what would become a powerful day of connection and purpose. By nightfall, the summit closed with a deeply emotional mental wellness session featuring Kier Gaines, Vic Mensa, and Mind Bully, driving home a simple but urgent message: Black men deserve to be whole.

From spiritual awakenings to brotherly collaborations, Day 1 was full of defining moments:

• Jason Wilson, renowned author and emotional healing advocate, shared a touching exchange with an elder who credited him for changing his life. Wilson also met Michael Jai White for the first time, sparking conversation around a potential collaboration rooted in empowerment and discipline.
• Wood Harris and Michael Cooper Jr. of Netflix’s Forever delivered one of the day’s most resonant talks, unpacking the emotional layers of their series and redefining what it means to be a strong Black man on screen. Harris championed Cooper’s portrayal of a “soft-spoken but powerful” lead, applauding the new blueprint of masculinity.
• In a moment of synergy, Kier Gaines and Etienne Maurice of WalkGood LA connected backstage, aligning on their shared mission: making mental health conversations the norm—not the exception—for Black men.
• Faith took center stage as Pastor Charles Jenkins, Kirk Franklin, and Pastor Jamal Bryant examined how spirituality and mental wellness intersect. Their message was clear—modern masculinity requires more than grit, it requires grace.
• BET’s Brian “B-Mac” McIntosh brought For the Fellas to life with a special live edition, sparking raw, honest discussions about legacy, identity, and transformation that had the audience snapping, nodding, and standing to applaud.
• Dometi Pongo and Charmaine Bey captured the day's energy on the red carpet, while Dometi moderated a star-studded panel with Derek Luke, Skyh Black, and more, centered on authenticity in Hollywood and the personal cost of public success.
• Actor Kareem Grimes attended simply to experience the magic, describing the sight of hundreds of Black men showing up for themselves and each other as “sacred.”

But the most poignant reflections came from the elders. Some were on stage, others were simply watching from the crowd—but their sentiment was the same: “If I had this when I was younger, I might’ve healed sooner.” Their awe at seeing a new generation of emotionally grounded, purpose-driven Black men served as both a blessing and a call to keep the work going.

The WayMaker Men’s Summit is the brainchild of longtime media executive and changemaker Louis Carr, whose vision for creating intentional space for Black male healing has finally come to life on a grand scale. The summit was expertly produced in collaboration with Wagner Lane Productions, a women-owned powerhouse led by Nicole Davis, whose Chicago-based team brought Carr’s vision to the stage with seamless execution.

Together, they crafted a transformative experience rooted in mental health, emotional intelligence, financial empowerment, and community uplift—designed specifically for Black and Brown men to feel seen, supported, and strong.

The energy continues on Friday, June 6, and you don’t want to miss what’s ahead. Nick Cannon already took the stage for the morning sessions. Still to come? Appearances from Wallo, Busta Rhymes, surprise guests, exclusive giveaways, and more bold programming created to pour into the culture.

This is not just an event—it’s a movement. And it’s only just begun.