After a prestigious NFL career, which also included All-American honors at the University of Miami, Bryant McKinnie quickly realized the prevalence of mental health issues and the lack of resources to help. McKinnie founded the BMajor Foundation, which helps enhance the lives of youth and single-parent family homes by promoting fitness and healthy living and addressing mental health awareness and social needs.
“When I retired, I had two friends, both former NFL players, who were having what I saw as a mental breakdown,” McKinnie says. “They were more comfortable talking to me rather than their own family. That is the moment I realized mental health is real and how important it is to have a support system to help see you through your down moments. I immediately added mental health awareness to my mission statement for my foundation.”
To help promote mental health awareness, fitness, and healthy living, McKinnie and his BMajor Foundation will host the “2nd Annual Evening of Cocktails and Conversation” event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 at Daer Nightclub at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Guest hosts and panelists joining Bryant McKinnie for this special mental health awareness event include: Dr. Tasha (Doctor of Clinical Psychology), LaThosha Alexander (Psychotherapist “The Cool Therapist”), Dr. Jeff J. Rocker (Celebrity Therapist), Toccara Jones (ANTM 1st Plus Size Supermodel), Supa Cindy (Host and 99 JAMZ Radio Personality), Dr. Michelle C. Powell, D.O, MPH (The Health Designer), Jazz Anderson (Rapper, TV Personality and Actress), Nicole Zavala (Reality TV Star VH1’s Cartel Crew), Lil Scrappy (Rapper and VH1’s Love and Hip Hop Atlanta) and Ray Rice (NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion).
General admission tickets to the event are $100 and include parking in the Lucky Garage. Sponsorship opportunities start at $500 and up. For more information about the mental health awareness event and to purchase tickets, donate, or sponsorships, visit Thebryantmckinnie.com/bmajor-foundation.
