Art Meets Advocacy: Lincoln Alexander Estridge
UTM Grad finds success in art, music, and film while bringing mental health awareness to youth.
U of T Mississauga alumnus Lincoln Alexander Estridge is a Christian multi-talented creative who is redefining the meaning of success through his artistry and community impact.
Graduating from UTM in 2023, his studies in social sciences and humanities, along with his deep passion for understanding human behaviour, fuels the impactful work he currently does in social entrepreneurship.
“I knew that I wanted to work with people as a career choice,” says Estridge.
“And the programs that I pursued at UTM gave me a better understanding of how people live day to day, and I became more aware of other people’s perspectives.”
Through his multitude of roles – as an award-winning musician, Netflix actor, and accomplished author – Estridge channels his diverse talents into empowering youth and advocating for mental wellness.
His learning journey began in the sciences, with chemical engineering as a focus early on. However, as he explored STEM opportunities, he felt that that path didn’t align with his values and aspirations and he found a deeper connection through sociology, history, and religion.
Ever interested in connecting with people and forging a path that reflects his inner interests, in 2018 Estridge founded The Fight Inside Society, a mental wellness organization that addresses critical needs in Black and racialized communities. Inspired by his sister’s openness about mental health, Estridge began his exploration in this area by posing a question on social media: “Does anyone want to learn about mental wellness with me?” The overwhelmingly positive response highlighted the gaps in culturally sensitive mental wellness awareness and lack of resources.
Through The Fight Inside Society, Lincoln introduced campaigns like “Have You Noticed?” to encourage open conversations about mental health in non-judgmental, culturally resonant ways. The organization also bridges the connection between mental and financial wellness by offering practical skills for managing stress related to finances.
His creative approach extends beyond advocacy. In 2022, Estridge co-wrote Stop Stopping Yourself, a book focused on providing readers with the tools and awareness to optimize their day-to-day work. Authoring the chapter “What’s Your Why?” paved the way for his solo self-help book Personal Success Formula: The Power of Self-Investment in 2024, which has since become an Amazon bestseller. The book equips readers with tools for personal and professional growth and features insights from experts on mental, financial, and physical wellness.
“Personal Success Formula talks about how I built success, as well as teaches and equips the reader on how to build their success and provides tools for that purpose,” says Estridge.
Estridge also builds on his belief in intentionality through his coaching business Success Support, which offers custom calendars and accountability systems to help clients achieve their goals, including university students.
When asked for advice to his younger self, Estridge emphasizes the importance of self-investment, recognizing self-worth, and building resilience.
“Get to know yourself and understand what and who you are,” says Estridge.
Story originally published by Black at UTM
