Episode Overview
Podcast: For Good
Host: Joseph "JoJo" Simmons
Guest: Vic Mensa
Episode: Success, Mental Health & Fatherhood: JoJo Simmons & Vic Mensa Get Real at MJBizCon
Date: January 13, 2026
In this soul-level live conversation recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas, JoJo Simmons sits down with musician, entrepreneur, and activist Vic Mensa. Together, they dig deep into the realities of building authentic legacy as Black men, the importance of mental health, the struggles and empowerment that come with ownership in the cannabis space, and how fatherhood transforms life’s purpose.
This episode stands out for its vulnerability and practical wisdom on healing, equity, and finding fulfillment beyond material success—offering lessons that resonate for individuals, families, and communities.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Vic Mensa: Who He Is Now
- [02:23] Vic Mensa: “I'm a new father. I got a one and a half year old son named Mansa Musa, an entrepreneur... a musician, artist, actor, and, above all, just a human being.”
2. Growing Up in Chicago: Honest View of America
- [02:53] Vic reflects on his upbringing and the impact of Chicago’s history, diversity, segregation, and culture.
- Quote: “My father always said he wanted me to be raised in Chicago so I could get the truth about America.”
- He stresses that witnessing disparities motivated his worldview and activism:
- “You see the disparity between haves and have nots so vividly, so blatantly that it's impossible to ignore.”
- [04:24] Acknowledges systemic racism but believes in persevering for equity:
- “Attacks on DEI only further necessitate the things that you and I do… because the people that we're going to empower… are often those that would be recipients of so-called DEI programs.”
3. Collaboration, Diversity, and Surviving as a Community
- [00:00] “Start with what you have. Don't let lack of access or lack of resources prevent you from starting your ideas.”
- [06:14] On collaboration as an evolutionary advantage:
- “Collaboration is one of our greatest assets evolutionarily… The species that are most open to adaptation and collaboration are those that survive.”
4. Building 93 Boys & Community Investment
- [08:14] Bringing charity and community into entrepreneurship was non-negotiable:
- Cites youth programs and mentors like Brother Mike:
- “[He] incentivized kids to learn skills… those skills stayed with me for life.”
- Cites youth programs and mentors like Brother Mike:
- [10:50] The challenges and burnout of nonprofit work, leading to an intentional business mission:
- “If we're going to be creating a business based on selling something that's been used to steal freedom from so many people, then we need to be trying to liberate through that business model.”
5. Ownership, Authenticity, and Exploitation in Cannabis
- [12:31] What does real ownership mean?
- “What's important as far as ownership is having creative control, being able to direct the flow of revenue and resources back into your people, being able to collaborate with the people you want to collaborate with.”
- Warns about “straw man ownership”:
- “Larger companies are just propping up Black and Brown faces with complex legal maneuvers… that's straw man fraudulent ownership.”
- [15:13] JoJo: “If we sell the culture, which is our ownership, then we'll never get what it's supposed to look like.”
6. 93 Boys: The Three Cs—Cultivation, Culture, Community
- [15:43] Vic frames his company’s vision:
- “With 93 boys, man, I try to look at it like three Cs, cultivation, culture and community.”
- Discusses the importance of art direction, design, visuals, and humor in making the brand relatable yet high-quality.
7. Mental Health: Strategies Beyond Medication
- [17:41] Vic opens up about his daily meditation and mental health journey:
- “Meditation, overall wellness, plant medicine… have really improved and continue to be the ways that I regulate my mental health.”
- Cautions about the lack of access and stigma around mental health care in Black communities:
- “So many… have the most big T trauma… but don’t have the access… or even the cultural acceptance to break through the stigma.”
8. Fatherhood: Discipline, Purpose, and Legacy
- [19:16] JoJo notes the conversation’s natural turn to fatherhood and redefining success.
- [19:38] Vic shares the purposeful pressure of being a father:
- “Having my son… increases the need for discipline and also gives me a different sense of purpose and joy.”
- “How do I cut through the influence of TV and music and media and social media… how do I really try to cut through it?”
- [20:58] On teaching boys respect:
- “It's so important that we teach boys… to respect people, to respect women… Because the world is going to teach them the absolute opposite.”
9. Personal Growth & What Legacy Means
- [21:40] Vic:
- “I would just hope that I can lead by example and that the best of me… can inspire somebody else. Because I'm so far from perfect and I got my long list of mistakes and controversies…but I keep trying to grow and making a genuine effort to being a better person.”
- [22:05] JoJo offers affirmation, quoting his father:
- “Don't say you trying when you're doing it. Cause you're actually doing it.”
10. Closing Takeaways
- [22:38] Vic’s 3 lessons for listeners:
- Start with what you have.
- “Don't let lack of access or lack of resources prevent you from starting your ideas.”
- Make your work your ministry.
- “Try to bring your heart into your business.”
- [Implied from context: Focus on collaboration and genuine empowerment.]
- Start with what you have.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Equity and Survival:
“The species that are most open to adaptation and collaboration are those that survive.”
— Vic Mensa [06:14] -
On Building Real Legacy:
“If we're going to be creating a business based on selling something that's been used to steal freedom from so many people, then we need to be trying to liberate through that business model.”
— Vic Mensa [11:40] -
On Community & Mentorship:
“Brother Mike… his selfless investing in me ingrained that spirit… that when I have resources, when I have influence, I'm going to use that in that same way.”
— Vic Mensa [10:13] -
On Addiction to Perfection and Growth:
“I'm so far from perfect… but I keep trying to grow and making a genuine effort to being a better person.”
— Vic Mensa [21:40] -
Simple, Actionable Wisdom:
“Start with what you have. Don't let lack of access or lack of resources prevent you from starting your ideas.”
— Vic Mensa [22:38] -
On Doing Instead of Trying:
“Don't say you trying when you're doing it. Cause you're actually doing it.”
— Rev Run (quoted by JoJo Simmons) [22:05]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction & Context: 00:51
- Who is Vic Mensa (today): 02:23
- Chicago’s Impact: 02:44 – 04:27
- Equity, Inclusion & Collaboration: 04:24 – 07:27
- Mission behind 93 Boys: 08:14 – 10:50
- Charity, Ownership & Industry Challenges: 12:19 – 15:13
- 3 Cs of 93 Boys: 15:43
- Humor in Marketing and Social Media: 16:44 – 17:40
- Mental Health, Meditation, & Stigma: 17:41 – 19:16
- Fatherhood & Purpose: 19:16 – 21:40
- Lessons, Affirmations & Takeaways: 21:40 – 22:38
- Closing Reflections & Gratitude: 23:27 – end
Overall Tone & Language
The episode blends warmth, humor, candor, and pragmatic wisdom—reflecting both JoJo Simmons’ nurturing, affirming presence and Vic Mensa’s thoughtful, unfiltered approach. Stories are rich with cultural context—rooted in real experience, resilience, and humble acknowledgment of imperfections.
Final Takeaways
This episode is a masterclass in building with intention—whether it’s business, community, or personal legacy. The candor around mental health, fatherhood, and the need for authentic empowerment over empty representation is genuinely inspiring. Both JoJo Simmons and Vic Mensa challenge listeners (and especially men of color, entrepreneurs, and parents) to lead by example—even, and especially, when it means starting before you feel fully ready.