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

Why should we push toward discomfort when our environments encourage the opposite? Comfort has become our default setting. On every corner, a fast-food joint offers us a hot, convenient, and delicious meal. With the tap of a credit card, we can avoid cooking and fill our stomachs with empty calories. Although the food tastes good, it lacks nutritional value. Our phones offer countless hours of entertainment without pressing a button. Flashing our faces before the screen unloc

I left home at 4:00 AM. With almost two hours to spare before my flight, I arrived at the airport. There was no need to check luggage for...

"Artificial intelligence helps us imagine who we are.” I listened as my coworker shared ideas from her conference presentation. After our meeting ended, I scribbled her words on a notebook to review later. How do you make use of AI? Are you hesitant or jumping in to use the tools without inhibition? On some levels, I’ve been reluctant and skeptical about AI’s shortcuts to research, productivity, and creativity. I use Grammarly for editing assistance, but outsourcing human thi

Surprised, upset, or elated? How did you feel after Super Bowl LIX? I hope you came out ahead if you put money or a friendly bet on the game. The day before the Eagles spread their wings and soared over the Chiefs, I huddled in a park with ten men. One of them asked me if I was a sports fan. I shook my head no and answered the next question. They asked about my work and hobbies. It was my first time with the men who exercise daily together in various locations around the neig

If you follow basketball, then you know what happened last week. If you ate more than your share of barbeque on the 4th or drank too much...

It’s been five days. How are you feeling? Do you miss Los Angeles and the process of preparing for your next sermon? Fifty years of...

What scares you? Clowns are at the top of some lists. Seeing Trump in office despite 34 guilty counts is also a concern for many. I've...

How did your Super Bowl Sunday turn out? Were you happy with the results? Did you lose any money? I should've bet on the Chiefs and...

Where will you put your money this weekend? Will you bet on the 49ers or the Chiefs? Perhaps you will keep your bills in your wallet...

Are you in any group chats? Perhaps someone added you to a WhatsApp or Facebook group. "Happy International Men's Day to all the men in...

Dear Student, It's been a minute since we've talked. You've spent hours with your books and devices in the library. I have had various...

Sometimes, you receive tests in life that you cannot pass alone. Instead of multiple choices, the questions appear in the form of...

When was the last time you experienced pain? We know pain can surface in physical and emotional forms. Perhaps, you are going through a...

You turned ten years old. Congrats on joining the double-digits club! This year, dinosaurs, swimming, and skateboarding made your list of...

Are you struggling with writing? It's the summer, and you want it to be a productive season. However, in between the warmer weather and...

Sunday is our day. It's Father's Day, and perhaps we should anticipate a proper celebration for the work we do year-round to support our...

A luta continua. This phrase inspired a song by Miriam Makeba’s daughter and an album by Big Youth. It also became the title of a film...

Dear Emery, How does it feel to turn 11 years old? I remember that age, but I won't bore you with stories of my year in the fifth grade....