Welcome Back, Everyone

Issue #126 – March 17, 2026

And welcome to anyone joining us for the first time.
G.R.O.W. stands for Guidance Redefines Our Way. Every Tuesday, we provide practical guidance for young men and women, parents, and mentors who are serious about building the next generation.
This week, we're talking about something men avoid more than difficult conversations, more than asking for directions, and more than admitting they're wrong.
We're talking about the doctor's office.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. And we're not going to be polite about it. We're going to be direct, because your life, and the life of every man in your circle, may depend on it.
Let's GO!

Growth Spotlight: The Conversation Too Many Men Are Skipping

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In Black men, the numbers are worse. Black men are about 20% more likely to develop colorectal cancer than white men, and significantly more likely to die from it.
That gap is not biological. It is behavioral. It is access. It is avoidance.

Men, Black men especially, have been conditioned to push through. To not complain. To handle it. To wait until something gets bad enough that they can't ignore it. And by the time many men walk into a doctor's office, what started as preventable has become a fight for their life.

That ends with us.

Here's what you need to know:

• Colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45 for average-risk adults. For Black men, many physicians recommend starting at 40. Know your risk. Ask your doctor.

• The most common screening is a colonoscopy. It is not as bad as you think. The preparation is the hardest part. The procedure itself is simple and, in most cases, is performed under sedation.

• Early-stage colorectal cancer often has no symptoms. That is exactly why screening exists. Do not wait for symptoms.

• Warning signs that require immediate attention: blood in your stool, changes in bowel habits that last more than a few days, persistent cramping or abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue that won't go away.

If you have any of those symptoms, do not Google them. Call your doctor today.

I’m not trying to scare you. This is a direct conversation between men who care about each other. The G-Tribe does not let the men in their circle skip this.

Michael’s Hot Take: Congratulations, Naim and a Word About Why This Race Matters

First things first.
Congratulations to Naim Rasul, the winner of our AFGM 5K Run/Walk T-shirt design contest. Naim, you earned it. We appreciate your support, your energy, and your commitment to this community.
Now here's what I want everyone to hear.
We named this event the AFGM 5K Run/Walk because we believe physical health is not separate from character development. It is part of it. In S.H.I.E.L.D.S., the S stands for Stewardship and Spirituality. But you cannot serve anyone— or show up spiritually—from a body you have not taken care of. Strength is not a letter in the framework. It is a requirement for every letter in it.
I have run endurance events myself. I know what it takes to train, to push through discomfort, and to cross a finish line you were not sure you could reach. That experience teaches you something about yourself that no classroom can replicate.
The AFGM 5K takes place on June 27, 2026. Registration opens this Thursday. I want to see the G-Tribe show up — not just to run, but to model for the young men and young women watching us what it looks like to invest in your own health.
Sign up. Bring your son. Bring your daughter. Bring your mentee. Let them see you move.
Details and registration link coming Thursday. Stay ready.

Parent Insight of the Week

Take your son or daughter to your next doctor's appointment not as a patient, but as a witness.
Let them see you ask questions. Let him see you take your health seriously. Let them watch you treat your body as something worth protecting.
Children learn what parents model. Show them what it looks like to show up for yourself.

Try This With Your Mentee

Ask your mentee: "Do you have a doctor? When's the last time you went?"
If he doesn't have one, help him find one. If he does, encourage him to go. Normalize it. Make it part of what the men in AFGM do.

Watch & Learn

Women's History Month: Alice Ball on AFGMTV
This month on AFGMTV, we are honoring the women whose work changed American history, including in medicine and science.
This week, we spotlight Alice Ball. She was a Black chemist who, at just 23, developed the first effective treatment for leprosy. She never received credit for it during her lifetime. Her story is a direct reminder that the people who built the foundation of modern medicine are often the ones history forgot to name.

Upcoming Events

AFGM 5K Run/Walk — Registration Opens Thursday

Race Day: June 27, 2026

Registration opens this Thursday. Watch your inbox for the link.

This race is for the whole community — runners, walkers, families, mentors, and young men. Come move with us.

AFGM/Word Alive Financial Literacy Workshop

April 11, 2026 | Word Alive Church International | Manassas, VA

In partnership with Apple Federal Credit Union and Junior Wallstreeters. Free event for youth and families. Details coming soon.

Sponsorship Opportunity

We are seeking sponsors and partners for all 2026 signature events.
If you know a business or organization that invests in boys, families, and mentorship, connect them with us.

Email: [email protected]

That’s it for this week.

This is the Year of Movement and Momentum.
Every step matters.
Thanks for moving with us. Please share this newsletter with friends and family.