Mark your words.
Not just the ones you say out loud, but the ones you whisper when no one’s around. I’m from the Bahamas, where silence is often mistaken for strength, and speaking up about mental health can sound like weakness.
But I’ve learned that silence can feel heavier than pain.
I turned to poetry — to spoken word — because regular words didn’t feel safe. It saved me.
Not because it fixed everything,
but because it reminded me I wasn’t alone.
And maybe if I could speak it out loud,
someone else could finally breathe.
Being part of the Be The Change program reminded me that stories can shift culture. That connection heals.
The change I want to make is simple:
I want to combat the status quote by helping to normalize vulnerability — especially for young Black and Caribbean men — and create spaces where people feel safe being real through therapy via the arts.
If you’ve ever felt unheard,
pull up a chair.
I’ll hear you.
If you’ve ever felt unseen,
I’ll look you in your eyes and remind you: You matter.
This is how we leave our marks— by making space for others to feel seen in it.
-Mark Thompson