In his new book Company Men: A Wellness Guide for Black Men in Corporate America, journalist-turned-corporate executive Justin Grant issues a powerful and timely call to action for Black men navigating the pressures of corporate America. Drawing from lived experience, original reporting, and dozens of intimate interviews, Grant unpacks the hidden costs of success—from isolation and anxiety to health challenges—and offers a blueprint for survival and strength. We caught up with Grant to learn more about what inspired the book, why he wants Black men to think like J.R. Smith, and what real wellness looks like in the boardroom.
Michigan Chronicle: First off — congratulations on the new book, Company Men! Tell us about your background and what led you to write it.
Justin Grant: Thank you. I appreciate that. My background is in journalism, and my first job was at Reuters. I got that opportunity through the National Association of Black Journalists, which really helped launch my career. But when I arrived in that newsroom, the editor told me on day one that there was skepticism about me even being there.
Instead of motivating me, it created fear and anxiety—and that impacted my performance, my mental health, and even my physical health. Around that time, I also lost my uncle, a CFO at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, at just 48 years old. That moment really made me reflect on what the corporate grind does to Black men.
That’s what led to Company Men. Through interviews, data, and personal stories, I realized the stress we face in these environments is uniquely damaging to our health—and I wanted to offer something real, practical, and healing in response.
MC: One of the most memorable ideas from the book is your line, “Don’t be like Mike. Be like J.R. Smith.” Can you explain what you mean by that?
Grant: (Laughs) Yeah, people really love that line. It’s about what I call “irrational confidence.” You know how J.R. Smith played basketball—he could miss ten shots in a row but still believed the next one was going in. He had that shooter’s mentality. That can be questionable on the court—but in corporate America, especially for Black men, it’s essential.
We’re often surrounded by skepticism, silence, and subtle undermining. That’s why I say: Don’t try to be perfect like Mike. Be like J.R.—have that irrational belief in yourself, your ideas, and your worth. We need that level of confidence just to survive in some of these rooms, let alone thrive.
MC: Health is a major theme in your book. Why is that the starting point?
Grant: Because it’s life or death. Literally. Black men have the second-lowest life expectancy of any demographic in the U.S., and research shows that the higher we climb the corporate ladder, the more our health declines.
I’ve seen it too many times—colleagues in their 40s dying from heart disease, strokes, the stress catching up to them. These are successful, high-performing brothers who looked fine on the outside. It’s not just anecdotal—it’s backed by data. That’s why Chapter One is about health. We can’t talk about success without first talking about survival.
MC: You’ve said this book is both personal and a call to action. What makes you uniquely qualified to write Company Men?
Grant: I’ve spent 19 years in corporate America and am now an executive at a major U.S. financial institution. But I also come from a journalism background. That means I don’t just have the lived experience—I’ve also done the research, interviewed dozens of Black men, and studied the trends.
I’ve seen how these systems affect us—mentally, physically, socially, and financially. And I’ve seen too many talented brothers not make it to retirement. That’s what pushed me to write this book. It’s not just theory—it’s our reality.
MC: You also write about the art of picking your battles in the workplace. How can Black professionals navigate that while protecting their peace?
Grant: That’s a really important question. In corporate America, especially at leadership levels, consensus building is critical. You only get so many battles, so you have to be strategic. But here’s the thing—Black professionals sometimes lose sight of the very instincts and vision that got them into those rooms in the first place.
I tell a story in the book about a time I was still junior-level, back in February 2020. COVID was starting to make headlines, and our team had planned an activation with our CEO at Disney World. I followed the headlines closely and made the tough call to pull us out—without permission. I got reprimanded, but a few days later, the whole world shut down. That decision probably protected lives.
Even at a junior level, you have to trust your instincts. Respect the process, yes. But never abandon the intuition that got you to the table.
MC: Beyond health, what other topics do you tackle in Company Men?
Grant: The book is really about full-spectrum wellness for Black men in corporate spaces. I talk about social wellness—how to build community and stay grounded even in isolating environments. There’s a whole chapter on avoiding the “angry Black man” stereotype and the historical reasons we feel pressure to shrink ourselves.
I also dive into financial wellness—how to negotiate salaries while Black, close the racial pay gap, and turn income into wealth. There’s a section on career strategy, too, helping folks build a personalized roadmap that aligns with their calling, not just their job title.
MC: Why is Company Men needed right now?
Grant: Because there’s no resource quite like this. We’re in a moment where Black professionals are doing better by the numbers—more Black CEOs, higher wages, and greater representation. But with that success comes new stress, new challenges, and often, new levels of isolation.
Company Men is about naming those challenges and offering real, prescriptive solutions. We need tools—not just motivation. This book is that tool. And I hope it opens up conversations not just among Black men, but in families, partnerships, and workplaces too.
MC: Where can people get the book?
Grant: It’s available on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, Goodreads, and all major online retailers. You might also find it in select bookstores—we actually sold out our local indie shop in Maplewood, New Jersey. The audiobook dropped on March 18, and it’s out on all major audio platforms.
MC: Any final message for readers?
Grant: Just this: We have to protect our health, our minds, and our peace. This book starts with the body, but it’s really about helping Black men reclaim their power in spaces not built for us. And to anyone reading—don’t lose the drive and tenacity that got you here. Tap into your faith, your instincts, and yes—your irrational confidence. It might just save your life.
Company Men by Justin Grant is available now wherever books are sold.
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