REAL TALK with G Herbo 

By: Amori Cross-Faulks I Published: April 14, 2025

“You have to want to change the situation. You have to want to break those generational curses. I took a big chance and betted on myself early on.” – Musician and mental health advocate G Herbo.

Thursday, April 2, 2025, Kean University kicked off its REAL TALK conference featuring distinguished guests, student workshops, and a support fair. These resources gave students access to leaders in their community, mental health advocacy, and career support and exploration.

Organized by Ugochi Adibemma, a leader in the Office of Belonging and Student Engagement, the REAL TALK conference featured workshops and development-focused speakers like Asa Dugger, Ayanna Johnson, Brittany Claybrook, Isaiah Scott, and Morgan Webster.

Giving Kean students the opportunity to engage with brilliant professionals about their career goals. Students were especially excited for guest speaker, rapper G Herbo, to make an appearance on campus.

Kean students and supporters sold out the original location for the conference, Kean’s Little Theater. Leading to it being relocated to the NAAB building auditorium. 

There, students excitedly waited for the reveal of the well-known artist and keynote speaker, G Herbo.

Growing up in Chicago, G Herbo experienced multiple hardships and violence. To escape his past, he created a path for himself in music. Now, he works to give back to himself and his community.

“It’s like a lightbulb went off inside my head.” The rapper said, “There’s so many other people that feel exactly how I feel with no outlet, no resources and no knowledge of what they are feeling inside.”

He says this drove him to create his own initiative called, “Swervin’ through Stress”. This 10-week program provides mental health services to the BIPOC community and connects them with dependable, Black behavioral health specialists.

Herbo prides himself on being a voice for his supporters and those in similar situations. Offering students tactics and outlets to combat mental health struggles.

Interviewed by Kean representatives, Cylia Blackmon and Julia Obiri-Yeboah, G Herbo focused on topics like balance, adversity and tactics he uses to combat negative thoughts.

Blackmon is a member of the President’s Council and a board trustee. Obiri-Yeboah is a project specialist for the Office of Belonging and Student Engagement, and a council member of the President’s Advisory Council.

Kean cross and country track and field assistant coach and grad student, Nick McAllister asked, “What advice would you give to young men who feel like they have to hide their emotions and go through it in silence? To struggle in silence?” 

G Herbo said, “Take the time to make sure you’re okay because you’re the one that has to walk in your shoes . . . It’s okay to not be okay. No one should have to take on everything by themselves, it’s not realistic.”