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...

African-centered education can heal wounds like medicine. It can’t stop immigration protests in Los Angeles, but it possesses the potential to remedy the psychological illnesses of Black students.  We need schools with curricula rich in ancestral culture, knowledge, skills, rituals, and histories. In Kmt G. Shockley and Kofi Lomotey’s edited text,   African-Centered Education Theory and Practice , they claim African-centered education "equips Black children with self-knowledg

His preparation to conquer mountains began at birth. When I first held him, I accepted the responsibility and joy of raising a son. Without a manual, I acquired the skills, grasped the knowledge, and made mistakes. Although my father provided a reliable example, I had to learn how to raise my children. I changed diapers, attended doctor’s appointments, showed up for school functions, and transported them to sports activities. My dad offered guidance with his presence during m

Dear Emery, You will turn 13 in three days. I am writing this letter a few days beforehand, in the early hours, while the house is still asleep. “Here comes the big guy.” You know the context of the quote; I won’t embarrass you. However, I want you to understand that this is a big year. Much has already happened. We moved back to the States. You started a new school, earned your place on the high honor roll, and joined a football club. The other day, I asked you, “What is a m

The door slid along the carpeted floor. I entered the rectangular office with off-white walls and wooden furniture. On the bookshelf, I found welcoming gifts from the foundation. Sandwiched between two hardcover books, I read the title of a popular book from my college years. I blinked twice and smiled. The leadership team had placed a copy of Dr. Joy DeGruy’s book Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing  in my office. Upton Press publis

Six years in a country with more sand than sidewalks made my children appreciate concrete. After moving from the Caribbean islands to Sacramento, we visited nearly every skate park during our first few weeks. Before their skateboard and scooter wheels touched the ramps of Tyre Nichols Park, I read about its significance. The city renamed the Regency Community Skate Park to honor Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old killed by Memphis police in 2023. His family advocated for justice a

I stepped out of the office and picked up my sister’s call. When she answered, I could tell from her voice that something was off.  She explained how she broke a finger while walking her dog. The pup got excited at seeing another dog and yanked the leash while she tied her shoe. His four legs and her ring finger went in opposite directions.  I listened as she explained her frustration and how the injury would restrict her activities. After failing to console her and making it

I arrived at the office earlier than usual. Last Friday, I had family plans that demanded a clear head. My middle son had a soccer tournament two hours away from our home. I had to meet my writing goals before 4 PM to enjoy the family time and watch the games without thinking about pens, pages, or how to explain the importance of African-centered education. Immediately after reaching the office, I deactivated the security alarm, poured coffee, and sat to revise an article.  T

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 is ideal work for you? As much as we would like to chill and enjoy every luxury life can offer, it is not a reality for us. We must work. Let's return to the opening question. How do you define ideal work? W. E. B. Du Bois says, “The ideal of Work–not idleness, not dawdling but hard continuous effort at something worth doing by a man supremely interested in doing it, who knows how it ought to be done and is willing to take infinite pains doing it.” Tasks aligned with our