How We Got Started
The Black Men’s Health Clinic (BMHC) is the living embodiment of a long-standing vision held by its founder, Dr. Larry Wallace Sr., to create a safe, culturally affirming space where men of color could access high-quality, holistic healthcare without barriers. The COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd in 2020 underscored the urgency of this vision, exposing deep-seated racial inequities in both healthcare and society at large.
In the wake of these crises, Dr. Wallace Sr. shared his idea with a trusted group of allies. The message was clear: the time had come to act. Armed with affirmation and a profound sense of purpose, Dr. Wallace Sr. began laying the groundwork for a new kind of clinic—one built on trust, equity, and community partnership.
The planning process was extensive and deeply collaborative. From the beginning, the effort was guided by research from public health institutions, academic studies, and data from local healthcare systems—all pointing to the same conclusion: Black men are among the least likely to use existing services, even when available. Factors like cost, scheduling barriers, lack of transportation, and, most critically, systemic distrust emerged as core reasons.
Understanding that no single entity could tackle such a wide-reaching issue alone, Dr. Wallace Sr. formed a steering committee in June 2021 composed of over 20 local healthcare leaders and community organizations. Members included the African American Youth Harvest Foundation, Austin Public Health, Central Health, Seton, TX Cross, Integral Care, and the University of Texas. Community advocates with lived experience were also invited to the table to ensure that the clinic’s model would be grounded in real-world understanding, not just theory.
Over the course of nine months, the committee met regularly to review data, refine strategy, and co-design what would become the BMHC Model of Care and Care Network. A community survey of over 700 men helped further define the clinic’s focus and informed the scope of services. A comprehensive business plan was developed with support from the St. David’s Foundation.
In July 2022, BMHC officially opened its doors at 6633 Highway 290 East in Austin. The clinic’s integrated model includes primary care, behavioral health, and services addressing the social determinants of health. Behavioral health services were initially provided by TX Cross, while primary care was delivered onsite by CommUnityCare, a local Federally Qualified Health Center. As the clinic evolved, Integral Care joined through a joint staff position, and CommUnityCare expanded its footprint to increase access to preventive services.
BMHC’s early operations were funded personally by Dr. Wallace Sr. until the clinic secured two cornerstone agreements: a two-year service contract with Austin Public Health and an ongoing contract with Central Health. These investments signaled institutional recognition of the clinic’s impact and the strength of its model.
Today, the Black Men’s Health Clinic stands as a beacon of light for men of color and their families, offering dignity-driven, no-cost care in a system where they have too often been overlooked. Though Dr. Wallace Sr. has received numerous honors in his distinguished career, he describes BMHC as his most meaningful contribution—a legacy of healing, access, and hope for generations to come.
