Peel Dem Layers Back | Hip-Hop, Mental Health & Healing Black Men: guest Archie Green
By Lana Reid | October 22, 2025
In this episode of the Black Men Matter series, host Lana Reid speaks with Archie Green — Hip Hop artist, mental health advocate, and Founder of Peel Dem Layers Back (PDLB). Archie opens up about his personal journey, the power of hip-hop as a healing tool, and how his organization is creating safe spaces for Black men to prioritize their mental health.
About Peel Dem Layers Back (PDLB)
Founded by Archie Green, Peel Dem Layers Back (PDLB) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to educate, equip, and empower Black men to prioritize mental health. Through hip-hop culture, workshops, and community programs, PDLB breaks stigma and fosters open conversations around emotional wellness.
PDLB Programs
🟢 Cope Dealer – A 14-week mental health workshop for men and boys that blends hip-hop, open dialogue, and guidance from licensed professionals. It tackles issues such as identity, relationships, creativity, and emotional wellness, offering participants a safe space for growth and healing.
🟢 Cope Dealer Training Program – A three-hour facilitator training designed for teachers, counselors, social workers, and community professionals who want to bring the Cope Dealer model into their own communities. Participants become certified in PDLB’s mental health framework and join a network of trained advocates.
🟢 Holding Space – A discussion series where Black men can come together in a supportive, judgment-free environment to openly talk about mental health while sharing food, stories, and community.
🟢 My Violin Weighs a Ton – A four-and-a-half-month project fusing hip-hop and classical music. In partnership with the Cleveland Orchestra, the program introduced students ages 4–14 to performing hip-hop on classical guitars while addressing themes like social anxiety, kindness, and confidence.
Learn More About Archie Green
- Archie Green on LinkedIn
- Peel Dem Layers Back Website
- Peel Dem Layers Back on Instagram
- Peel Dem Layers Back on Facebook
- Peel Dem Layers Back on YouTube
- Archie Green on Spotify
Find Lana Reid
Listen to This Episode
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“The Male Perspective” is hosted by Lana Reid, the founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)3 grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.
Conversations in Color’s Current Initiatives:
- THE MALE PERSPECTIVE: The purpose of “The Male Perspective” is to dispel stereotypes and increase awareness of the experiences of Black men through open discussions, thought-provoking interviews, and sharing personal experiences that serve as a platform to highlight the diversity and depth of the Black male experience.
- SISTAS REBUILDING SISTERHOOD: “Sistas Rebuilding Sisterhood,” is an intergenerational group of Black women who come together for relaxed and non-judgmental gatherings to exchange ideas, experiences and collaborate in a collective effort to improve the quality of sisterhood interactions in our day to day lives.
- TAPESTRY OF BLACK VOICES AWARDS: The “Tapestry of Black Voices Awards” honors our local communities and showcases the incredible creativity and voices of Black communities throughout the United States.