Bro, congrats! I am happy for you! Wait…should I be happy for you? You’re going from an entrepreneur to an employee? Why the f*ck would you want to do that?

That’s what my close friend BJ said when I told him I accepted an offer for a job. Anyone who has shared a cup of tea with me knows I am a champion and extreme advocate for entrepreneurship. I believe the only job security that exists is the job you create for yourself.

For more than a decade I have worked for myself. The lessons I learned as an active…

Last week I was waiting in line at Costco, ready to check out with a bulk supply of water, paper towels, and those tasty keto coconut clusters that I shamefully devoir in one sitting — -real first world shit. The cashier and her assistant were cheerful and friendly, smiling with their eyes as we can no longer see creases around the lips thanks to COVID and mandatory mask requirements.

The cashier asked the gentlemen who was checking out ahead of me if he found everything he was looking for. The guy paused for a brief moment and said, “Well actually…

Black women

The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.

The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman.

The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.

More than 50 years after these words were said by civil rights leader Malcolm X, America and it’s justice system has responded with displaced affirmation with the verdict of the officers involved Breonna Taylor’s murder. In the eyes of American justice, Breonna Taylor’s death was justified.

This is the system working as intended.

While I believe the plight for Black liberation in it’s entirety is gender agnostic, I…

After May 25, 2020 — -the early weeks following the murder of George Floyd, my LinkedIn inbox was flooded with inquiries on how one could help as well as messages of support and solidarity. While I appreciate the sentiment and eagerness to help by my white colleagues, like so many Black people who have a diverse network, I too became completely overwhelmed.

I took many meetings, gave recommendations on readings, shared my perspective, spoke on several virtual panels and podcast over the past several months focusing on race, inclusion, and how we can best move forward. …

Whenever a cop car pulls up beside or behind me while driving, I get nervous. My mouth becomes dry, leading to that little white crusty stuff in the corners of my lips. My breathing becomes irregular, and my heart speeds up enough for me to feel the anxiety consuming my body.

Becoming a father has killed the speed demon inside me. I don’t drink much alcohol, so a DUI is not on my radar. I don’t smoke weed, so you won’t find any nickle or dime bags in my glove box. …

Daddy, why won’t people wear their mask so the virus can be over?

That was the question my five year old son asked after my wife and I inquired about how he was feeling during this pandemic.

I’ve never fully explained to him why every time we leave the house we must wear a mask. All I ever told him and his brother is we have to now wear masks to protect ourselves and people we care about, which is everyone, just like how many of our favorite superheroes do.

Still with acute observation, a child, barley out of toddler…

Dear CEO,

I loved my Juneteenth celebration. This year, it hit a lot different for obvious reasons, but if you aren’t sure…all the recent social transgressions taking place.

While I typically use Juneteenth as a day of reflection of how far we have come, I can’t help but to focus on where we, Black people, are and how much further we have to go. I only see how we are still subjected to the remaining residue of slavery and the institutions it supported.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what is progress as it relates to race relations and…

Dear white friends and colleagues,

In David Foster Wallace’s parable, “This is water”, he tells a story of these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys, how’s the water?” The two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water?”

The immediate point of the fish story is that the most obvious, ubiquitous, important realities are often the ones that are the hardest to see and…