YANA - Black men, You Are Not Alone

Coley Gates Episode 3: What does it take to come back from a 999-year sentence—and not just survive, but transform?

In this powerful third installment of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice continues his deeply moving conversation with Coley Gates, a man whose story defies logic and redefines faith, brotherhood, and purpose. After spending 25 years incarcerated, Coley opens up about the emotional weight of reconnecting with family, the unbreakable bond of the “Seven Mighty Men,” and the spiritual foundation that carried him through the darkest seasons of his life. This episode dives deep into what real brotherhood looks like—men who prayed together, cried together, held each other accountable, and ultimately helped one another survive and thrive against impossible odds. Coley shares what shocked him most about the world after his release—the disconnect in community, the shifting dynamics of family, and the tension between opportunity and temptation. With raw honesty, he speaks on navigating freedom, resisting old paths, and stepping into his calling as a voice of hope for others still trapped—physically and mentally. From mentoring youth and serving the homeless, to returning to prisons to uplift those still inside, Coley is living proof that transformation is real—and that no one is beyond redemption. The episode closes with a gripping spoken word performance, “Oh Say Can You See,” challenging listeners to reflect on justice, identity, and unity in today’s world.

Coley Gates episode 2: From 999 Years to Freedom: Faith, Forgiveness, and Redemption

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Coley shares what it was like to be sentenced to 999 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit — and how faith, accountability, and deep personal transformation carried him through 25 years behind bars. But this story isn’t just about prison. It’s about healing. Coley talks about: * Coming to terms with his past and taking responsibility for his life * Building a relationship with the victim’s family * Letting go of bitterness toward the man who committed the crime * The moment he hugged his children for the first time as a free man * The release plan that helped convince officials he was ready for freedom * Why support systems and relationships are the key to transformation * How he chose the legacy he wanted to leave for his children

From Supermax to Purpose: Coley Gates’ Journey of Faith and Redemption

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with Minneapolis native Coley Gates for a raw and deeply moving conversation about faith, accountability, and transformation. Coley opens the episode with a powerful spoken-word piece from his book Common Sense: We Are Bigger Than the Box You Put Us In, reflecting on identity, pain, and the legacy of Black men in America. But his story goes far deeper. As a young man, Coley was sentenced to 999 years, 99 months, and 99 days in prison for a crime he did not commit. Instead of “snitching” on the person responsible, he accepted the consequences of the life he had been living. Behind the walls of Supermax prison in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, Coley began a profound journey of self-discovery.

Sam Simmons: When Survival Becomes a Wound: Black Men, Trauma, and the Cost of Carrying It Alone

What happens when the very strategies that helped us survive begin to harm us?   In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with nationally respected behavioral consultant and author Sam Simmons for a raw, illuminating conversation about Black male trauma—personal, cultural, and generational.   Sam traces his journey from physical injury to emotional awakening, unpacking how trauma shows up in our bodies, our relationships, our work, and our communities. Together, James and Sam challenge some of the most deeply held beliefs in Black culture: when “that’s just how we are” is really unhealed pain, when caretaking becomes control, when perfectionism masks shame, and when work becomes an escape from intimacy.   This episode wrestles honestly with hard questions:   * How do you recognize trauma when you’ve been taught it’s just culture? * Why are Black men often rewarded for survival behaviors that later cost us our peace? * Why does society—and sometimes our own communities—struggle with the idea of Black men healing? * And what becomes possible when we choose awareness, honesty, and internal work?

YANA Conversation with Denetrick Powers: Black Men, Intimacy, and the Courage to Be Vulnerable

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with entrepreneur, urban planner, and community builder Denetrick Powers for a deeply honest conversation about manhood, leadership, and what it truly means to show up for others. Denetrick shares his journey of becoming a full-time father figure to his teenage nephew and entering the adoption process as a single Black man — a decision that reshaped his life, his priorities, and his understanding of purpose. Together, they talk about the realities of raising a Black boy in today’s world, the emotional weight and reward of fatherhood, and why Black men need intimacy, brotherhood, and safe spaces to be vulnerable. This episode is about more than fatherhood — it’s about healing, growth, redefining masculinity, and learning that strength is not just about carrying the load alone, but about building relationships, asking for help, and showing up with love.  If you’ve ever felt like you had to figure life out on your own, this conversation is for you. Because you are not alone.