The Dinner Table: How One Meal Turned Into a Mission | Billy Council | TEDxHarlem
“Son Day Dinner” is more than a meal it’s a sacred space where Black men come together to be fed in body, mind, and spirit. In a world that often demands strength but denies vulnerability, this monthly gathering offers a table where healing, honesty, and brotherhood are always on the menu. Through my own journey from trauma to transformation, I share how one dinner table saved my life and how I’ve set the table for others to feel seen, heard, and whole. This talk is a call to reclaim the spaces that nourish us, and to build new ones for the men who need them most.” William “Billy” Council is a Harlem-based community leader, youth advocate, and social justice strategist. As Founder of the CouncilHim Foundation and Manhattan Director of Project Pivot (NYC Public Schools), he champions violence prevention, mentorship, and leadership development for young people. Billy also serves on the boards of New Heights Academy and the Renaissance Center of Mastery After School, and consults with Global Kids to advance civic engagement. A former City Council candidate and co-founder of The Rens basketball program, Billy uses sports, education, and policy to shift resources to historically excluded communities. His work has earned recognition from the NAACP, National Action Network, Harlem Fashion Week, and more. Through grassroots leadership and philanthropic impact, Billy is creating lasting change in Harlem and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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