“Two percent of people will choose to take the stairs, when an escalator is also available.” That’s the opening statistic Michael Easton shares on his podcast, “Two Percent.” When we consider our desires for comfort and how AI impacts our lives, the percentage of people opting for escalators makes sense. Artificial Intelligence is here. Open Microsoft Word, and Copilot is there to rewrite. Search online, and Gemini appears. Built within this site and others are options to upl

Dear Student Leader, During yesterday’s Big Day of Giving, non-profit organizations asked for donations to support programs and services offered throughout Sacramento County. The Giving Edge platform, hosted organizations, collected contributions, and distributed funds. Although the “Big Day” ended, you can continue to give. Contributing to a fundraiser is only one form of giving. Leaders can also give their energy, expertise, and empathy to causes bigger than their egos. Giv

Dear Student Leader, Tuesday started unlike any other day this week. Before my phone’s alarm had the opportunity to wake me, I shot out of bed. Eager to get the day started, I used the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and dressed in my running clothes. I completed my morning ritual, started a draft of this post, and warmed up while I waited to take my children to their swim practice. We arrived on time and split our ways. They went into the aquatic center, and I started to jog. On

Dear Student Leader, When collective leadership voices sit at the table, everyone eats. The self-centered leader cares only about their own meal or stake in the product, service, or mission. While independence is essential to initiating tasks, interdependence is critical to lasting success. If we embrace the connective components of leadership, we can go further as individuals, groups, and a nation. Unfortunately, in many instances, we’ve adopted self-destructive behaviors. T

Dear Student Leader, Ask yourself, "What am I learning?" Perhaps this week you learned about the importance of filing your income taxes early. With this week’s US tax filing deadline, the scramble to get your financial documents sent to the IRS can lead to stress. Adopting a better time management system might be a good look, to help with staying ahead of deadlines. It’s important to invest in resources that help you to develop your leadership knowledge and skills. Books, cou

Dear Student Leader, Prioritize learning. It’s a simple recommendation, but a complex component of sustaining growth and development. Reading books and taking courses that deepen knowledge and strengthen skills are crucial to achieving success in business, social movements, and education. Implementing the structure and maintaining the discipline to make time for learning are challenges. Set aside time and identify a quiet location to improve your ability to comprehend, evalua

1 of 3 fog captures from my running adventures Dear Student Leader, How is the weather? In Sacramento, we’ve had a series of foggy days. When driving and out running, the low visibility reminds me of snow flurries during Chicago’s winters. It’s difficult to see the path ahead. Oftentimes, leadership is like being surrounded by dense fog. You have the vision of where you want to go, but it’s challenging to discern the best route forward. Do you stop? No. You consider past ex

Did you hear the recent news? Target adopted a policy requiring its employees to smile at customers and display other forms of welcoming body language during their work shifts. The company is hopeful that the change will increase revenue and restore its Black customer base following this year's boycotts. Target regrets leaving the diversity, equity, and inclusion train as soon as the Trump conductor announced its stop. Their decision corresponds to losses in diverse dollars.

What if you invited love to work with you? Would you show up differently? If you teach or serve in the social sector, imagine how love could increase your drive, motivation, and ability to impact lives. On some days, the emotion could encourage you to smile and silence the sigh when opening your office door. At some point, we get there. The roads may take us along different paths. We may not arrive at the same time, but we connect with passion and purpose when it’s our turn

How do you define liberation? Is it the ability to do whatever you choose? Perhaps you see this question through a spiritual lens and...

A few weeks back, I ran a local 10K race. When I shared my plans with several people, they laughed. My family and friends know that my weekly distance runs often exceed 10 miles. 10Ks, 6.2 miles, are shorter than marathons, but the push from competing with others makes them worthwhile. They also offer speed work and an endurance test. On one curve of the race, it started to rain. The water hit my face like small acupuncture needles as I fought fatigue, trying to catch another

What can you accomplish in two hours? If you live or have family in California, it might feel impossible to do anything for more than a...

How would you define Umoja? Umoja is the Swahili word for unity. It is also a rallying cry for people of the African diaspora to celebrate our unique geographical locations and to connect through common ancestral origins. Because of its importance in community, family, and liberation movements, the annual celebration of Kwanzaa begins with Umoja. During this tumultuous time in history, the principle of Umoja is vital to the movement. Across racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual

How do you handle struggle?" Following my presentation at the 2024 AMEE conference in Switzerland, the question popped up on a monitor....

The clock hit midnight. Fireworks lit up the sky. You kissed your special someone and realized you survived another year. Perhaps you...

How frequently do you put yourself in a position to test your courage? I'm not only referencing physical actions like leading a protest...

How will you end these final weeks of 2023? Will you accomplish goals to finish strong and start 2024 with internal fireworks to match...

Do you have any long-term goals? Before you read the following sentence, answer the opening question. Perhaps you contemplated fitness,...

Can you inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide? Yes, that's how we survive. The answer was obvious if you passed your second-grade...

Did you get duped? I did. The headline read, “Stephen and Ayesha Curry Make an Announcement.” First, my mind jumped to pregnancy. Then,...