Birmingham City Council has agreed to fund a local company’s mental health initiative for men.
A year ago, the council approved the RISE programme to support the retention and growth of local businesses.
“This new tool is for our existing businesses and is a resource funded through the liquidation of surplus property that helps us keep our businesses here,” said Cornell Wesley of the Office of Innovation and Economic Opportunity.
On Tuesday, the city awarded one of the first grants to downtown men’s boutique Bridge and Root.
“To be so excited about your growth and where you’re going next means everything as a small business owner,” said Aisha Taylor, founder and CEO of Bridge and Root.
The money will help them take on more staff and equipment.
“But a new wrinkle is that the equipment will be purchased from a mental health perspective,” Wesley said.
The plan is to create a space in the heart of the store called “The Lounge” where men can come together and discuss often overlooked and difficult topics.
“Just things that they have a really hard time getting out and expressing,” Taylor said.
The conversations will be streamed and made available to the public as a podcast. They already have a licensed psychiatrist on board to facilitate.
Bridge and Root was recently named the state’s Emerging Retailer of the Year.
“As a community, it makes sense to invest in their future because the state has already recognised their success,” Wesley said.
Taylor hopes to continue to help men dress up and make a difference in the community.
“Our homicide rate is not where it needs to be,” Taylor said. “So if men can talk about something and learn how to address something instead of always wanting there to be some kind of fight, I feel like that will help us in so many different ways.”
