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Dear Black Man, You Good?

Dear Black Man, You Good? (DBMYG) is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit founded in 2024. My work with them centered on developing a logo that authentically reflects and resonates with its core audience: Black men and boys. As a newly established nonprofit focused on creating culturally relevant spaces for healing, connection, and growth, it was critical that the visual identity communicated both strength and vulnerability within a culturally affirming context.

With their flagship initiative being a podcast, the logo needed to function powerfully at thumbnail scale, balancing clarity and impact, while remaining emotionally grounded and visually memorable embodying the organization's mission and values.

Project Type

Brand Strategy, Visual Identity Design

Skills

Visual Design, Audience Research, Inclusive Design, Storytelling Through Design

Client/
Organization

Dear Black Man, You Good?

Problem

The Challenge

How might we create a visual identity that:

  • Resonates authentically with Black men and boys
  • Communicates vulnerability without sacrificing strength
  • Feels approachable rather than clinical
  • Performs effectively at podcast thumbnail scale
  • Scales across merchandise and future brand touchpoints

Research & Discovery

Conducted stakeholder interviews and audience-centered research to understand:

  • Emotional barriers surrounding vulnerability and mental health
  • Cultural spaces associated with trust and candid conversation
  • Opportunities for differentiation within podcast branding

Design Strategy

To establish trust and emotional connection at first glance, the identity needed to:

  • Reflect the audience back to themselves visually and emotionally
  • Signal safety and relatability
  • Balance confidence with vulnerability
  • Differentiate from generic wellness branding

Solution

Dual Silhouettes

Represent:

  • Man and boy
  • Present and past self
  • Strength and vulnerability
  • External confidence and internal struggle

Typography Pairing

  • Bold sans-serif for presence and confidence
  • Script elements for warmth and intimacy

Research content turned into microlearningResearch content turned into microlearning

Outcomes

  • Positive audience reception across generations
  • Strong representation feedback from younger viewers
  • Expanded into merchandise due to community demand
  • Increased visibility and brand recognition through organic engagement

Key Reactions  

  • Compliments & Curiosity: Every time the shirt is worn, people notice and praise the logo, often asking about its meaning.  As a funny aside, someone pointed out that the logo reminded them of a Michael Jackson meme (in a good way)!
  • Representation Matters: A high school student loved that the logo depicted Black men with coily hair, saying, "It looks like me. I feel represented."
  • Broad Appeal: Black girls, older Black women (including professionals and seniors), and young Black boys all expressed admiration for the design.
  • Demand for Merchandise and Sales Potential: Initially, the logo was intended for the podcast, its use case expanded due to demand. DBMYG now sells t-shirts, mugs, notebooks, and other items displaying the logo.

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