Last weekend, a capoeira comrade invited me to a “No Kings” protest. While I appreciated the invitation, I declined and instead spent time with my parents during their short visit to a nearby town. I settled for honking the horn to encourage a group of protestors marching down the street. While I’m aware that presence offers the best present to help others engaged in the struggle, I am hopeful this post and subsequent writings add to the protestors’ calls for social justice,

Stars The Umoja team inhaled and exhaled. We sat in plush seats on a black minibus behind tinted windows, like superstars of African-centered diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging initiatives. The bus’s vents circulated a mixture of Egyptian musk, incense, perfumes, air conditioning, and positive vibes. We pulled away from the curb at 8:45 AM on a mission. At the stop sign on the corner of 7 th  Street in Sacramento, our driver turned right. We entered th

We know exercise has physical and mental benefits, yet it remains a challenge for many of us to prioritize. Between assignments, appointments, and annoyances, it’s difficult to find time for working out. A 2022 study reports that 28% of adults in America meet the physical activity marks to support aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The lure of watching TV, scrolling on social media, drinking, eating fast food, or smoking to offset the responsibilities of home and work is strong.

I never met you, but something tells me I knew something about you. In undergrad, I read your book, Assata: An Autobiography .  It was...

Hip-hop lives. During car rides and school days, the music and culture of hip-hop can encourage awareness and prevent suicide.. Nino Paid’s song Joey Story  offers us an example. I can’t front. Nino Paid’s music is not on my playlist. Here’s a brief story about how I learned of this artist. The drive for awareness. My teenage son opened the passenger’s door and sat in the front seat. He fastened his seat belt, and we pulled away from the curb. Within seconds, he connected his

Politics aside, we must appreciate life. For white conservatives, black radicals, and everyone else on the racialized and political spectrum, life is short. In the last two weeks, Charlie Kirk, Demartravion “Trey” Reed, and Mayumi Narita died. Of the three names in the previous sentence, you may only know of one. Before the incident in Utah, I didn’t know anything about Charlie Kirk. After he died, I learned of his similarities to another influencer who shares the same first

America needs the KPop Demon Hunters. Consider the recent tragedies in support of my argument. Is it possible to arrange for the three evil-slaying animated entertainers to rescue us from the demons of violence, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia in America? Not really, but contemplate the idea for a moment. The KPop Demon Hunters film features three fictional Korean pop singers who fight evil entities by day and entertain crowds by night. In their quest to save humankind, th

With help from a staff member and a cane, an elder walked to the podium. In a voice rich with confidence and experience, she introduced herself as a founder of the Umoja Community Education Foundation. Next, she described the cultural grounding activity and invited the room of higher education practitioners to close their eyes.   I sat on the carpeted floor, crossed my legs, and listened as the elder established the importance of remembering and honoring Ancestors . We opened

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

For two months, I’ve withheld sins. I’m not Catholic, so I can’t go to a priest. I’ve prayed, meditated, and exercised, but the feelings...

Minutes before my family left for vacation, we stopped in one of the airport’s electronic stores. My youngest wanted a pair of headphones. While he browsed the overpriced gadgets, a salesperson talked to me. He asked, “Where you headed?” “Chicago,” I replied. “Is that home for you?” “Um, something like that. We were born there but…”  “Oh, I get it. You’ve moved away, and it no longer feels like home.” The salesperson finished my sentence. I smiled and nodded as my son asked a

We touch a dangerous element every time we choose to swim. It’s not an idea we want floating in our heads when swimming in ponds, pools,...

Dear Kaz, Twelve years old! That's a big one. It's not as big as the dinosaurs you love, but you're one step closer to becoming a teenager. It's a pleasure to see you growing into a young man. I am impressed with your discipline to swim nearly every day of the week. With every practice, you're getting stronger and faster. Your mother and I enjoyed seeing you compete in the Junior Olympics meet. While you didn't win a medal this year, we know you did your best. Doing your best

“Slow down so your soul can catch up.” I read the advertisement for a “Wine and Spirits” store as I jogged towards Bahamas Street. The phrase made me smile as I shifted paces and contemplated the message We often rush through life without savoring the small, meaningful moments. Meditation and reflection are critical tools for sustainable leadership success. Hours before my run along Bakersfield, California’s blocks and parkways, I stood in a classroom with student leaders at

Leaders must prioritize pursuits that enable them to perform at their best. The specific types of activities will vary between individuals, but they should include reading, writing, exercising, observing religious or spiritual practices, and dedicating time to personal relationships. We can find similar teachings to the advice above in every self-help book on the market. Read the books " Leadership on the Line " and " Never Finished "  for unfiltered and practical advice. Des

Did Baldwin get it right? In James Baldwin’s book, The Fire Next Time , he writes, “Perhaps the whole root of our trouble, the human trouble is that we will sacrifice all the beauty of our lives, will imprison ourselves in totems, taboos, crosses, blood sacrifices, steeples, mosques, races, armies, flags, nations, in order to deny the fact of death, which is the only fact we have.” Baldwin suggests our fears of death shape our drives, decisions, and divisions. Life is often u

On July 4 th , I ran the 10K Run for Hunger charity race. The event began at 8:00 AM, hours after a flash flood devastated multiple...

Fireworks, barbecues, and parades filled my childhood’s Independence Days. I looked forward to the holiday and its promises of time with family and friends. As I grew older and developed a deeper understanding of the meaning behind July 4th, something within me changed. Awareness is the foundation for transformation. During today’s red, white, and blue celebrations, the struggle for freedom continues. The enslavement of children and adults and other incidents of involuntary l

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

We want to stay hard. The barbaric practices of castration during and after chattel slavery in the United States remain ingrained in the...