BIG MAMA SAID: You Have To See a Man To Be a Man – My Sundays with Harry

BY: Terry Allen

Big Mama, Lucille “Big Mama” Allen, was a force of faith and wisdom. Big Mam was raised with a deep-rooted belief in God’s Word, she lived her life teaching through sayings that cut straight to the truth. She believed in family, hard work, and accountability. Big Mama was known for opening her home, feeding both body and spirit, and leaving you with words that stuck in your heart. One of her greatest lessons to me was this: “You have to see a man to be a man.”

That saying came alive for me through my Sundays with Harry Robinson, Jr.

Harry Robinson is a living legend. Born in New Orleans in 1941, he studied history and library science, earning his doctorate from the University of Illinois before edicating his career to preserving African American heritage. As museum director, he built the African American Museum in Dallas into a nationally recognized destination, home to treasures like Sepia Magazine’s archives and the Freedmen’s Cemetery Collection. He has served as president of the Association of African American Museums and the African American Library Association, making his mark as both scholar and builder.

But what Harry gives me personally goes beyond books and collections. He doesn’t just shape my manhood journey with orders, platitudes, or reprimands. Instead, he gives me two great gifts:

Lesson One: Harry tells stories— about real people, real events, real history. Those stories carried wisdom tucked inside. Whether it is about freedom fighters, community leaders, or unsung heroes, every story left me with a lesson about perseverance, integrity, or vision.

Lesson Two: Harry connects me to countless people from those stories. He shows me that manhood is not walked alone. It’s built in relationships, in seeing how thers live and lead. Those connections moved needles in my life. and I am able to to others like Justin and his yogurt. Harry Robinson empowers me by letting me see what a man looks like—steady, thoughtful, and rooted in legacy. That’s Big Mama’s truth in action. All of this fuels my mentoring program CityMenTor

So here’s the call to action: livewith joy and gratitude. Proverbs 17:22 teaches us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” And 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” My Sundays with Harry are not just history lessons—they are medicine for the soul, joy for the spirit, and a roadmap for manhood. Who are you hanging out with? Email me at TerryAllenpr@gmail. com and let me know.

Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and founder of the charity – Vice President at Focus- PR, Founder of City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org