The Power of Our Words (June 2026)

So, here we are, ladies—we've already made it through half of the year. Can you believe it? It's June!

June is such a beautiful month because spring gives way to summer, bringing a season of growth, warmth, and new possibilities. June is also a time when we honor fathers and father figures. Now, you may be thinking, "Hold up, Latesha. I thought this was a blog for women." Well, it certainly is. But that shouldn't stop us from learning how to effectively communicate with, celebrate, and support the men in our lives.

This month, in honor of Father's Day and Men's Mental Health Month, I want to continue the theme from last month: The Power of Our Words.

Scripture reminds us that a wise woman speaks with wisdom and kindness, using her words to encourage and uplift those around her. At the same time, Proverbs warns that constant criticism, conflict, and careless speech can slowly wear down relationships and create division. In other words, our words have power—the power to build up or tear down.

Now, keep that in mind as you read the following statistics:

• Men account for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths in the United States and die by suicide at nearly four times the rate of women. This highlights the critical need for greater awareness, prevention efforts, and access to mental health support for men. Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Suicide rates among Black Americans increased by more than 24% between 2018 and 2023, signaling a growing mental health crisis and the need for culturally responsive mental health services and community support. Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

• Black adults are less likely to receive mental health treatment than White adults despite experiencing many of the same mental health conditions. Barriers include stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, cost, and distrust of healthcare systems. Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health

Black men are often expected to be strong enough to carry everything, yet these statistics suggest that many are carrying more than they were ever meant to bear alone. Mental health is not a weakness—it is health.

So why am I sharing all of this with you?

The Word of God clearly shows that our words have tremendous influence on the people around us, including the men in our lives. Most women already know this. The challenge is that while we understand the power of our words, too many of us still use them to tear down what we should be building up (Proverbs 14:1).

When I founded The Diva Effect, Inc. in 2016, my goal was never just to uplift women. It was to educate, elevate, and empower women to become agents of change in their homes, relationships, and communities through wisdom, knowledge, grace, and a commitment to healing.

I believed then—and I still believe now—that when women heal, families heal. When women grow, communities grow. When women create safe spaces marked by wisdom, compassion, and emotional health, it gives others—including the men in our lives—the freedom to begin their own healing journeys.

That is why we named it The Diva Effect. One healthy woman can create a ripple effect that transforms families, strengthens communities, and impacts generations to come.