The Los Angeles Central Library in downtown L.A. hosted a sit-down discussion on Feb. 8 between Emmy and Tony award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance and moderator/actor William Allen Young to discuss Vance’s book, “The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power” in celebration of African American Heritage Month.
The book, co-authored by psychologist Dr. Robin L. Smith and writer Charisse Jones, is a moving combination of memoir, psychology, and practical tools that offer Black men guidance and support for reclaiming mental well-being and finding whole, full-hearted living.
Leimert Park Village Book Fair publicist Wyllisa Bennett hosted the program and introduced several key figures including City Librarian John F. Szabo, who paid homage to Our Authors Study Club founder Vassie D. Wright and Carter G. Woodson, who pioneered the celebration of Negro History Week.
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Young, known by millions as the father of TV’s “Moesha,” led the intimate conversation with Vance. The following is an edited version of the discussion.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among African Americans between ages 15 and 24,” Young cited.
“The Black male suicide rate is over four times higher than of Black women. From 2018 to 2022, suicide rates for Black adolescents increased by 54 percent surpassing White adolescents for the first time in history. What inspired you to write this book?”
Early in his career, Vance lost his father to suicide and lost his godson to the same fate. The alum of Detroit Country Day School and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, has acting credits including “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson;” and “The Preacher’s Wife.”
“No one should have to get that phone call in the middle of the night that their loved one is gone,” Vance replied.
“There’s no easy way to lose someone, but to lose someone that way. My mother said to my sister and me, ‘I want you two to go back to your respective cities and find a therapist. We gon’ talk about this.’ My publicist put me together with Charisse Jones, who just allowed [Dr. Smith] and I just to talk. And that was the beginning of the journey.”
Young asked, “Were you concerned in writing this book about exposing your pain by talking about a subject that is considered taboo, particularly in our community?”
“I didn’t care about none of that,” scoffed Vance. “That man was my biggest hero. Listen, we love the Lord, and I need people praying for me. There’s power in prayer and the collective of people who gather to pray.
“Years ago,” he recalled, “we (his wife, Angela Bassett) shared with our church that we were trying to get pregnant and were having a difficult time. The whole 25,000 West Angeles [Church of God in Christ] community prayed for us, and within nine months, them babies were here! Whoever you believe in, you better pray. Find a way to let other people know so that they can support you and give you the strength to [go on]. After all, we just need to talk,” he advised.
“In Conversation With Courtney B. Vance” was part of the African American Heritage Month festivities led by Mayor Karen Bass’s office, recognized by the City of Los Angeles, and hosted by the Los Angeles Public Library, Our Authors Study Club, and the Leimert Park Village Book Fair — a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education and literacy in the community.
To learn more, visit www.oasc.org.
