Brotha Kyle "KD" Toon, MSW, CFSW
Husband & Father
Writer | Thinker
Speaker | Facilitator
Community Healing Capacity Builder
Brotha KD extends warmth, attunement, unconditional holistic regard, and sincere compassion at the intersection of historical context, intergenerational & cultural trauma, psychosocial & spiritual wellness, and social and cultural consciousness. Brotha KD champions self and collective liberation through interactive-group, communal healing processes - improving self-knowledge, cultural worldview, and self-determining expressiveness for Black, African, and African diasporans.
The Biography of Brotha KD Toon, MSW, CFSW
Brotha Kyle Toon is of African descent, a father of three, a husband of 12 years, a homeschool educator, an Army conscientious objector, and a 13-year military veteran attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. Brotha Kyle pivoted from the perpetual oppressive field of military intelligence to Afrocentric social work, social transformation, and mental and emotional wellness in 2021. Since then, he has transferred his people skills, love for spirituality and holistic humanity, leadership experiences, military human services experience, lived experiences with mentacide (the product of systemic brainwashing), complex trauma, and miseducation, and self-study to the research and practice of liberation social work. Brotha KD utilizes an Afrocentric paradigm, African-centered theories, models, and frameworks to question, conceptualize, theorize, investigate, analyze, engage with community members, understand cultural worldview, validate phenomenology, and gather insight into epistemic and ontological experiences, interpret meaning, and develop solutions that reflect the value systems and principles associated with Nguzo Saba, Ubuntu, and Ma'at. Consequently, to serve and support African people's healing process and empowerment, he founded Mental & Creative Liberation LLC to co-create spaces for soul-serving illumination, the Gracefully Imperfect podcast, and the Substack publications of CREATIVST. Brotha Kyle's primary research focus areas are the Afrocentric paradigm, African cultural knowledge, African psychology, spiritual features of psychosocial health, Black men's mental health, community-centered healing interventions, revolutionary love, and the socio-spiritual dynamics of lovelessness. Other areas of interest are power relations, economic development and advancement, self-knowledge, consciousness and conscience, and African-centered healing and wellness models (e.g., NTU, Optimal Conceptual Theory, etc.). Brotha Kyle enjoys reading books written by Afrikan-centered scholars, listening to cultural-intellectual lectures, running, listening to Soul Music, and watching sports games - particularly track and field and professional football (Go Pack Go!).
Inspiration from African cultural heritage informing the work of liberation social work (not an exhaustive list - just a few):
1. Brotha Amos Wilson, Psychologist
2. Naim Akbar, Psychologist
3. Marimba Ani, Anthropologist
4. Wade Nobles, Psychologist
5. Toni Morrison, Writer
6. Audrey Lorde, Feminist Writer
7. Anglea Davis, Educator
8. Nile Valley Civilizations
9. The Harlem Renaissance
10. Black Panther Party & Black Power Concept
11. Malik El Hajj Shabazz (Malcolm X)
12. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
13. Martin Delaney
14. Kwame Ture, Black Power Leader
15. Chancellor Williams, Historian
16. Cheik Anta Diop, Multidisciplinary Genius
17. Asa Hillard, Psychologist
18. Kobi Kambon, Psychologist
19. Jacob Carruthers, Educator & Scholar
20. The Honorable Marcus Garvey
Inspirational Quotes
Inspirational Quotes
“Power is the ability to define reality and to have others respond to your definition as if it were your own and that the most important reality to define is the meaning of one’s own human beingness.”
“The way to right wrongs is to turn light of truth upon them.”
“Racism is a global system of oppression that affects all human activities due to fear of White genetic annihilation.”
“A Person is A Person through their relationships with other People. ”
“We must understand the tremendous value of the study of history for the re-gaining of power. If our education is not about gaining real power, we are being miseducated and misled and we will die “educated” and misled.”
“When Africans in the Americas and the world over choose to critically examine the ‘received’ ideas and biased perceptions of ‘reality’ imposed on them by Europeans and choose to know reality for what it is…they will have attained the keys to their liberation.”
Brotha KD in Action
Testimonials
Publisher & Librarian
“Kyle Toon is a thought-provoking author bringing an array of experiences and perspectives to the conversation. His work is timely and inspiring in a world filled with chaos. His work engages the reader and calls for, at the very least, reflection, appreciation, and acceptance. Through his words, readers will discover deeper truths about themselves and the surrounding world. His work will only become more prolific over time. What an exceptional collection of work to revisit again and again.”
Group Participant of NAMI’s Sharing Hope Support Program for People of African Ancestry
“What stood out profoundly was Kyle's attentive listening. By thoughtfully repeating my words, he made me feel truly heard and validated, fostering a sense of being seen and understood. His ability to cultivate such a positive and secure space is a testament to his compassionate facilitation.
I wholeheartedly recommend Brother Kyle to anyone seeking a meaningful and enriching group experience. His sessions are a sanctuary for the soul, offering clarity, connection, and a renewed sense of self.”
New York-Based Mental Health Advocate, Author, Filmmaker
“Kyle is a Black-affirming, culturally progressive, and self-determining individual with compassion, empathy and kindness for clients and colleagues. We shared a meaningful dialogue with like-minded souls on a taboo subject from a unique, racialized lens.”
University of Colorado Colorado Springs Department of Social Work Clinical Assistant Professor, PhD
“Kyle is someone who can see the forest and the trees, without losing sight of the interrelated nature of the individual as well as the broader ecosystems. Kyle’s astute and thoughtful demeanor is an asset in any professional environment. He is a prolific writer and does work both domestically and internationally focused on liberatory social work practices. Kyle is forging his own lane, and is able to collaborate with others. That ability to be self-driven while also remaining dexterous and willing to work across differences is a skill that is critical as a social worker.”
Life After Abuse - Nonprofit in Lagos, Nigeria
“Kyle Toon was an exceptional facilitator on our webinar. He shared valuable expertise on mental health, weaving in relatable stories that resonated deeply with our audience. He created a safe and supportive space for open discussion, communicated complex topics in an engaging way and made the webinar a huge success. His insights left a lasting, positive impact on our attendees. I highly recommend Kyle and look forward to the possibility of working with him again in the future..”
National Alliance on Mental Illness - Colorado Springs
“What sets Kyle apart is not only his skill, but the heart with which he approaches every interaction. Kyle demonstrates a level of competence and expertise when it comes to applying culturally relevant, trauma-informed, and mental health knowledge to his work. He brings humility, resilience, and a sense of hope that is contagious to those around him.”