Living through a global pandemic – a once in a century world-changing experience – has required most of us to find new levels of creativity and adaptability that we didn’t even know we possessed. The death, the loss, the disruption, and the acceleration and elevation of long simmering inequities along racial and socio-economic lines, have been mentally, emotionally and spiritually exhausting for so many of us.

I’ve clung close to the introspective wisdom of Indian novelist Arundhati Roy to help me put the pandemic in perpetual perspective:

“Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next.”

Yet and still, passing through the portal Roy describes is hard to do without a guide, coach, mentor, therapist, and/or a loving, trusting supportive circle of humans in your life who can help pull (or push) you through. I personally have used all of the above! What resources and supports are you leaning on to push through these days?


#ThankYouThursday

Didier Sylvain
Founder, Coherence

This week we’re shining #ThankYouThursday love and appreciation on Didier Sylvain, someone who has opted not to push or pull folks through a portal of personal transformation, but rather to simply offer invitations to join Coherence, a community that provides a container for change and growth for Black leaders during a time when it’s needed the most.

I first met Didier a decade ago when he was serving as a consultant with Echoing Green to help launch their Black Male Achievement Fellowship for social entrepreneurs. Since then, I have watched him model the radical self-inquiry and personal growth in his own life and practice that he effectively teaches to others.

During periods of radical transition like what we’ve experienced over the past two years, essential life questions have taken on new urgency in our lives – questions like, What’s my unique contribution? How do evolve my impact? Who do I need to be? I am grateful for leaders and life coaches like Didier who help us to excavate answers to these questions by offering an action-oriented, aligning process led by leadership mentors and a caring community.

We also send our congratulations to Didier for being awarded the 2021 Excellence in Learning & Performance Award by TiER1 Performance’s. The TiER 1 Awards celebrate people of-color who have led innovation, built momentum, or overcome barriers resulting in healthier, higher-performing organizations.

If you are seeking to imagine your world anew I encourage you to seek out a caring community like Coherence to provide you with guiding lights to see your way through.


Kenneth Braswell,
CEO, Fathers Incorporated

Another Thank You Thursday shoutout goes to Fathers Incorporated CEO Kenneth Braswell and his team for producing a highly informative and engaging virtual experience this week, The Blueprint II. The event focused on the mental health and well-being of Black men and fathers and included dialogue around demystifying asks for help, seeking therapy, and reframing vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness.

During The Blueprint II, I participated in a fireside chat with Kenneth and Cities United CEO Anthony Smith where we discussed Black men and self-care. I urge you to look over the line-up of dynamic conversations and share them with your network of Black men, especially fathers, and those who love them.

Watch Here


NEW EPISODE:

“Trailblazers Podcast” Featuring Stephen Powell

This week on the “Trailblazers Podcast,” Stephen A. Hart and I had the pleasure of hosting Stephen Powell, Chief Program and Partnership Officer for National CARES Mentoring Movement. Check out the episode below to hear his insights and strategies for how to Run Your Race & Finish 2021 Strong.

Listen Here


With the holiday season upon us, the forthcoming release of my and Nick Chiles‘ book, I Too Am America: On Loving and Leading Black Men and Boys offers a great and meaningful gifting opportunity for a friend, loved one, colleague or neighbor – yourself too!

I couldn’t be more excited to share this heartfelt project with you which, in addition to being a memoir, features mini-manifestos from esteemed contributors like John Simon, Author and Founder of the DOME Project.

Pre-Order Here