Hey! My name is E. Preston Lewis, Jr., and I am a licensed clinical social worker associate. However, I am more than a therapist. I am a community strategist, and advocate for men’s mental health. I help men navigate wellness in ways that honor their identity, culture, and lived experience. Through my practice and outreach, I create safe, affirming spaces where men can heal, grow, and show up fully in their lives.

I am on a mission to destigmatize mental health for men and address the societal pressures and cultural nuances that shape how men experience, express, and manage their mental health. My work has received national recognition, including facilitating a conversation series through the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, advancing dialogue on Black men’s and boys’ mental health and collective healing.

I have also founded initiatives that bring tangible resources and connection to those who need them most. One of my favorite holistic practices that I brought to the RDU area is Bro Yoga which encourages men to prioritize wellness through Bikram yoga. We have a growing network of over 150 participants and allies! Another initiative is Fatherhood United which is an online community where fathers and mentors build emotional strength through stigma-free dialogue and peer support. Then there is Outside Is Free, a wellness initiative designed to get people outdoors to experience the healing benefits of nature. These efforts increase access, visibility, and representation in mental health spaces.

Before entering clinical practice, I spent over 15 years leading equity-centered initiatives across philanthropy, government, and nonprofit sectors, building systems that advance equity and opportunity. My work has included supporting Black men and boys from cradle to career through Minority Males for Higher Education and President Obama’s My Brother's Keeper Durham initiative. This leadership has been recognized by the Obama Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, General Motors, and the White House, where I was personally invited by President Barack Obama for his service.

For me, mental wellness is more than a profession—it’s a calling. I believe that when we heal, we rise, and when we rise, we build stronger families, communities, and futures.