Action Plan --All is Well!
- Keisha Lanell Merchant
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Until We Heal Our Black Men: A Call to Spiritual Restoration
By Dr. Coach Kay
Until we heal our Black men, racism will continue to increase, not decrease.
The Paradox of the Black Woman
Black women represent the highest population earning degrees, launching businesses, and driving employment in this country. Yet, we face the tightest gridlocks when trying to access executive boardrooms, venture financing, gubernatorial seats, and the institutional policymaking roles that shape our systemic infrastructure.
One would think the world would eagerly welcome Black women into leadership. We possess unmatched experience in resourcefulness, economic survival, and community building. We actively practice healing and restoration for all communities—yet we have often neglected our own survival.
We have worked double and triple shifts just to keep food on the table.
We have sacrificed personal rest and family ease to secure shelter.
We have consistently brought our "first fruits"—our financial wealth and sacred offerings—as a covenant with the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, anchored in the saving grace of Christ.
This covenant is not merely a ticket to paradise or a return to the Garden of Eden. It is a resurrection insurance policy—a promise of complete restoration for our families, our communities, and our allies who work in goodwill toward all of God's creation.
The Spiritual War on Black Men
Our Black men are funneled into prisons because the system fears their true identity: the praying force of the protector.
The world falsely believes that physical confinement strips a man of his power, forgetting that the mind, heart, and soul cannot be caged. However, constant exposure to incarceration, violence, and systemic trauma is designed to sow seeds of doubt, weariness, and unbelief. The enemy seeks to isolate Black men to keep them from praying together—because fervent, unified prayer is the very key that sets a people free.
The prayers of Black men are heard. The prayers of Black women are heard.
When we are distracted, burdened by pain, and physically unhealthy, we cannot fully operate as the nation of divine strength we are called to be. But consistency means showing up anyway, anchored in an unshakeable, impenetrable love that always prevails.
As scripture promises: Upon this rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail.
A Call to Action: The View from the Bench
To our brothers behind bars: Mass incarceration does not mean you are detached from your communities.
Look at it through the lens of the game. Right now, you are the second team. You are on the bench. But the bench isn't passive—you are not just silent spectators. How do you cheer on the players on the court? How do you remain effective while you wait for your time?
You suit up in the spirit. You lock in.
Pray together and study together. Build your playbook.
Stay fit and stay alert. Keep your mind sharp and your body disciplined. As the saying goes: Be ready so you don't have to get ready when you are released.
Pray without ceasing. Walk daily in the Holy Spirit and speak with the voice of divinity.
Know thyself. Seek the approval of Christ, and when you have done all you can—finally, stand. Just like a basketball player setting their feet, plant yourself. Like a rock, stand firm in your prayers, immovable in your confidence, and completely loyal to your hope, faith, and love. Stay fiercely committed to the report of Christ, the Sovereignty of Salvation, and the power of the resurrection. Without these things, we are left standing on shifting sand. With them, we are anchored to the Rock.
The Intercessory Prayer for the Brothers
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, comfort my brother(s).
Heal them, restore them, coach them, mentor them, train them, and educate them. Rise them up as prayer warriors—in the Spirit, warriors!
Let the covenant of On this Rock, not even hell can prevail rest upon them, move through them, and live in them, so that their bodies, hearts, and minds won't be moved.
Let their joy never be moved. Let their gentleness never be moved. And most of all, let their love, stamina, and self-control stand completely unshakeable.
The Covenant Declaration
We must unite our Black men—in prisons, in homes, and in communities—to study, worship, and declare this singular truth together:
On this rock, hell won't prevail.
On this rock, death won't prevail.
On this rock, disease won't prevail.
On this rock, racism, sexism, and classism won't prevail.
On this rock, self-sabotage and self-destruction won't prevail.
On this rock, hate crimes won't prevail.
On this rock, violence won't prevail.
On this rock...
Dr. Coach Kay
Founder & Executive Director, Umoji Founders Legacy Trust
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