“For such is the will of God, that by doing right (good) you silence the ignorance of foolish people.”

I Peter 2:15

When people try to silence you or your neighbor, do what is right. Do Good!

When people try to take away the rights of others, stand up, speak out, and advocate for them with your voice. Do what is right. Do Good!

When people try to tell you that you are not good enough, stand up and know you are enough. You have power. You are great. You are excellent. You are made in his image with the mind of Christ. Do Good!

When people try to change or eliminate your history to make them feel superior (supremacy) or less guilty, stand up for truth and learn from history and grow from it. “History is not the past, it is the present.”(James Baldwin). Be honest. Do Good!

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too…” (IF, Rudyard Kipling, verse 1)(partial)

JB

… I’m taking my freedom
Pulling it off the shelf
Putting it on my chain
Wear it around my neck
I’m taking my freedom
Putting it in my car
Wherever I choose to go
It will take me far

The iconic lyrics of Jill Scott are passionate and move mountains when they touch your ears. Jill represents the vigor and strength of Black women. Jill penned the lyrics to this song as she was going through her divorce. She said she needed to create her on personal anthem about taking her freedom back and starting a new beginning . A begining that was Golden! Jill’s personal anthem has transformed into the anthem, prayer and mantra for many Black women. No matter where I go in the the world, when this song is played I see Black women rise up look each other in the eye and in rhythm sing “Living my Life like it’s Golden, Living my Life like it’s Golden, Living my Life like it’s Golden ……. It is a powerful vision of power and beauty. 2024 Olympic Champion Jordan Chiles is that same vision of power and beauty. Jordan is truly golden and we will never forget it.

The 2024 Olympics were amazing. Many winners from Simon Byles, Gabby Thomas, Aja Wilson, Sydney McLaughlin-Levorn’s and many others. Black women in the United States and in many other countries dominated the Olympic Games. Despite all the medal winners, one particular medal winner stood out to me. Her name is Jordan Chiles. As most of us know, Jordan is a member of the United States women’s gymnastic team. She is the one who’s smile is infectious, who’s energy is contagious and who’s enthusiasm makes everyone feel great about themselves. Jordan is “That Girl.” During the games, Jordan was the one hyping up her teammates before an event. She was leading the cheers after dismount or the completion of a floor exercise for all her teammates. Jordan was being “That Girl” for all those USA girls.

A few years before the Olympus, Jordan Chiles suffered mental illness. Jordan saw that illness almost take gymnastics from her. It instilled so much doubt that she was not sure she could continue in the sport she loved. Despite those challenges, Jordan accepted the love and support of the GOAT, Simone Biles. Simone spoke with Jordan and loved on Jordan. Simone loved on Jordan and gave her what she needed. She lifted Jordan up when others were putting her down. She protected Jordan while others left her open for ridicule. Simone was a covering Angel for her friend Jordan.

Jordan won team gold in Paris. Jordan also won a bronze in the overall individual floor exercise. The bronze was controversial, contested, attempted to be taken back and considered by some to be unmerited. The reasons for the controversy are not important. The important piece is that Jordan kept living her life like it’s golden. In fact, Jordan and Simone shined some gold and love on the Brazilian floor exercise gold medal winner with an impromptu bow and tribute during the medal ceremony.

Jordan did not engage those who challenged her win. Instead, she took a mental wellness break from social media and took time for herself. Jordan did not justify her value by trying to prove her worth. Instead, she stood boldly and let others see her strength. Jordan let others advocate on her behalf. She knew that sometimes a Golden Life means moving in silence. Jordan not only went high when they went low, she went higher and twisted and flipped and turned and landed perfectly. She went for a golden finish and showed everyone how to “Live Your Life Like It’s Golden!”

There are times where there is no #BlackGirlMagic. The better description is #BlackGirlWork, or maybe #BlackGirlTalent, or maybe #BlackGirlSupport, or maybe #BlackGirlWellness, or maybe #BlackGirlGolden. Because sometimes there’s no magic and instead that Black Girl is living her life like it’s Golden, living her life like it’s Golden.

Thank you Jordan. You showed the world that you are Golden and you are truly “That Girl.”

JB

Fade to Black

Be you. Not everyone will like or love it, but at the end of the day being you and loving you makes it all better. Being you and loving you is worth it.

Don’t compromise who you are or whose you are. People will at times consistently prioritize their needs over yours. Don’t let them. Be loving and be kind, but don’t lose yourself for, or in anyone. Be you.

Stay focused. Distractions come in many forms; things, ideas and people are just a few. Don’t let any of those things dilute your focus or your peace. Peace is irreplaceable. You are irreplaceable. Be you.

Don’t forget. You are amazing. You are blessed. You are loved. You are beautiful. No matter how many people fail to see it, recognize or treat you as such. Don’t forget you are all these things. Act like it. Be you.

Invest only where you can get a return on investment. People will take as much as you give them. As you give more they will take even more. Their taking may be painful because you will notice they give little back in return. Return giving is never required, but every now and then you want an investment in you too. You deserve it. A thank you is an investment. A kind word is an investment. Being appreciated is an investment. You deserve to be invested in for being you. Be you.

Be you when it’s not popular. Be you when those around you doubt you. Be you in moments of challenge and controversy. Be you when it’s necessary although it may not be expedient or safe. There will come a time where being you will not bring you more likes or more followers. Instead, being you may cause those who you thought were friends to distance themselves from you and never return. Their absence is not a loss. Their absence is growth of your inward soul to further the new and expanded version of you. Be you.

Dr. Benjamin Mays said it best:

“Whatever you do,strive to do it so well that no man [woman or person] living and no man [woman or person] dead and no man [woman or person] yet to be born could do it any better.”

Be love. Be joy. Be kind. Be present. Be loyal. Be faithful. Be honest.

Be YOU.

June is Pride month! It is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ + community and a time to create an inclusive culture where all people can be welcomed, valued and feel a sense of belonging. A culture where you are not bullied, chastised assaulted or sometimes killed for expressing your gender identify and expressing love for who you love. Pride is so important to celebrate.

During Pride month there are many celebrations and one of the more popular celebrations is the Pride Parade in downtown Minneapolis. The parade is the who’s who of businesses, community groups, healthcare and government institutions, schools, and politicians. The parade is also a showcase for the LGBTQ community to come out and show pride in who they are and who they love. The streets and Loring Park are filled with people who want to Be Who they are and be loved and valued. Pride is a big deal.

For LGBTQ allies like myself, Pride is a time to demonstrate my allyship by being present and walking in the parade. I have walked in the parade for almost the last ten years. I walked with Minneapolis Public Schools when I led equity and inclusion work there. Today I walked with Children’s Minnesota – The Kid Experts, where I am honored to lead equity and inclusion, community engagement and advocacy for one of the best kid hospitals in the world. Walking in Pride is in my dna and sometimes it becomes an automatic act to demonstrate my support. However, this year was different. Let me tell you why.

The day before the Pride parade you can find me shouting from the rooftop,, I am walking in the parade tomorrow. I shout it in a deep passionate voice. I say it with my chest out and head high. I say it with pride because I am a good ally. I am proud to be a part of Pride! This year a friend asked me, “Why are you walking in the Pride parade?“. At first I was surprised. I thought what do you mean why? Cause I’m supposed to walk in it. Cause I want LGBTQ people to be a part of equity and inclusion. Cause it’s the right thing to do. Then I listened to myself in my head and thought, JB, why are you walking in the Pride parade? Then I thought about my why and answered the question again.

I walk in the Pride parade because as a young person I was homophobic. I walk because I was a bully towards young kids who I thought were gay. I walk because as an athlete, the way in which you criticized someone for not doing well was to call them a derogatory word for being gay. I walk because if someone I thought was gay touched me, I would say mean things about them and run away. I walk because I once believed being gay was a choice and that you could opt out of it if you believed you were being treated badly. I walk so others can walk and be who they are.l

While leading equity and inclusion work in Minneapolis Public Schools, and before I started my walk as a LGBTQ ally, I learned that my department’s work did not include our Out 4 Good program that addressed equity for LGBTQ students. I learned that this program was instead housed as part of our social and emotional learning program and was part of our mental health work for students. Imagine being told that who you are is not really about equity or your inclusion, but instead being a part of mental health and social emotional learning. My walk made it easy for me to make this work apart of our equity and inclusion work at MPS hand support these students as we would protect students against racism and sexism. All students need to be valued, cared for, loved and included. I walk because LGBTQ inclusion is equity and inclusion.

Today’s Pride walk felt different. I arrived at our gathering site in downtown Minneapolis and met with my Children’s Minnesota team. We greeted each other and got a chance to get ready to walk. I met many young kids who are the children of my colleagues and they were excited to walk and give out gifts during the parade. I saw several politicians and heard from many that they were appreciative of how Children’s Minnesota shows up for trans kids and families at the legislature and how important that is for all kids. I saw others from other companies show up and have a presence. I heard my own CEO, Dr. Marc Gorelick showed up and spoke with employees before him lining up with his Freedom Band members who he played with in the parade. I felt different as we walked today. My why started to show up in a new way.

As we walked the parade, you could see the numerous kids and families who cheered loudly as Children’s Minnesota walked by. Some screamed, some cried and others clapped. Some ran up and gave hugs. Others told stories about how we showed up for their kid’s and families in our gender equity clinic where other healthcare institutions had failed to be present. As we stopped in front of the Saloon where the announcers shouted out companies that passed by, the crowd demonstrated the love and appreciation for Children’s Minnesota. I even got a personal shout out from the announcers. I must admit that felt good. 🙂

The parade ended with many signs and cheers. One sign that stood out for me said, “I am a proud parent of a gay son.” As I teared up and walked by that sign, I added a few words to the sign. A gay son that is not bullied. A gay son that is not assaulted. A gay son that is valued and respected. A gay son that receives quality and inclusive healthcare. A gay son that is celebrated not only in June, but every day of the year. A gay son that knows his why and can be who he wants to be and love who he/she/they want to love.

Today I felt my why for marching in the Pride parade and my why felt good.

JB

If I make it to the C Suite and I am the only one who looks like me in the room, I have not made it. It is important to bring more people through the door and make a better way for others who look like you and others from more diverse backgrounds.

Kamau Bell

As I lead and serve, I will never say in describing my accomplishments: “it is unprecedented” “first time ever” “no one has ever done it” “we are the only ones who could do it” “we are getting first time approvals” “we are the best” “everybody loves us.”

Instead, I will say: I take full responsibility, I appreciate you, we will work together, I believe in you, we need all of us to work together, and I am grateful for your faith and support. It is not I, but we who will get through this together.

Be Leaders, Be Humble, Join Together, Acknowledge how you can get better, Acknowledge your mistakes, Be There and show care and compassion. Lift others as you climb.

When you walk with integrity and you live to serve others before yourself, you will never have to worry when those around you start to deal in lies and deceit in order to damage your reputation and character. It is one who keeps his head and maintains his values in a time of challenge that demonstrates true leadership.

JB

Be About We and not About Me.

When Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills suffered cardiac arrest on the field of a NFL football game, Stephon Diggs rallied his teammates together and prayed for their fallen teammate. Stephon Diggs was there.

When Damar Hamlin was in critical condition in the ICU and we did not know whether he would live or die, Stephon Diggs went to the hospital to be there for his teammate. He entered the ICU even after being denied by security because he wanted to be there for his teammate. Stephon Diggs was there.

I am sure even during the last few games of the season Stephon Diggs found a way to be there for Damar Hamlin and his family. Stephon Diggs was there.

On Sunday, Stephon Diggs and the Buffalo Bills lost a playoff game to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills did not play well. Stephon Diggs did not play well. Near the end of the game , Stephon Diggs exhibited his emotion and in some people’s eyes “showed up” his quarterback. After the game, Stephon Diggs left the stadium immediately after the game and did not stay with his teammates. Some people believe he “showed up” his teammates. He eventually was asked by a teammate to come back to the locker room and he did. Stephon Diggs was there.

These aforementioned incidents involving Stephon Diggs alll happened within the last month. I want you to keep the same energy about Stephon Diggs when you realize that he is an athlete who was there for his brother teammate. I want you to keep the sane energy about Stephon Diggs when you realize he went to the ICU to be their for his brother and his brother’s family.

I want you to keep the same energy when you hear others demean and talk about Stephon Diggs in a negative light ,when he was upset after he lost a game. I want you to keep the same energy and talk about Stephon Diggs when he has to take some time to get away because of the pain he felt after a tough loss.

We say that we care about Black Men and Mental Health. We say we care about how Black Men are treated when they are vulnerable with their feelings and actions. We must ask ourselves to keep the same energy if we really care how you treat these men differently when they show they care for their brother as to when they show their disappoint when they lose a game.

Keep that Same Energy!

We hate taking our own lives;

We are dying;

We are not feeling valued;

We are not feeling loved;

You only see us on the court;

You only see us on the field;

You only see us in the magazines;

You only see us on the charts;

You don’t see the realness of who we are;

We are trying to save the world;

We are Kings;

We are Human;

We Bleed;

We Cry;

We Hurt;

We Love;

We Pray;

We miss our Brothers who are no longer with us;

We have words, but sometimes we don’t know how to use them;

We want to rest, but sometimes we can’t sleep;

We have voice and we want to holler, but sometimes no one is listening;

We want help, but sometimes we don’t know how to ask;

We want to accept your love and care, but sometimes we don’t how to receive it;

We want to be held, but sometimes the squeeze causes us not to breath;

We want to trust, but we don’t know how;

We are Love;

We are Hope;

We are Passion;

We are Kings;

We are Leaders;

We will have Peace;

We Will Rise!

JB

No Statements…..Just Actions

No Words……..Just Actions

No “I’m Sorry”……….Just Actions

No Advice……. Just Actions

No Remorse………Just Actions

No Empathy………Just Actions

No Shock……..Just Actions

No Pledges……….Just Actions

No Joining Coalitions………Just Actions

No Conscious Reveal…….Just Actions

No Asking Me What to Do……….Just Actions

Actions may not be perfect. Actions may not be informed . Actions may not be loved by many or any. Actions may be painful. Actions may deliver no immediate self satisfaction. Actions may lose you customers. Actions may lose you money. Actions may be second guessed.

Actions must not be. patronizing. Actions must be measurable. Actions must be substantial. Actions must be significant. Actions must be relevant. Actions must be community informed. Actions must come with receipts and accountability. Actions must be immediate. Actions must be thoughtful. Actions must be meaningful.

Time to step up and dare to be different. Time to do your own work. Time to stay in an uncomfortable space.

No Statements! No Words! Just Actions!

JB

“Each of us is more than the worse thing we have ever done. “

Bryant Stevenson

Will Smith is much more than the slap he delivered to Chris Rock while millions of people watched on the Oscars. This was also the first Oscars produced by a Black man, Will Packard, and an all Black production crew. This was a historic night. The night was historic, but for some wrong reasons that should not have happened. The slap should not have occurred and we must act differently even we we think we are defending others, including our family and our wives.

I believe Will Smith made one of his worst decisions last night at the Oscars. It was not wise to walk on stage and smack another Black man. It was not wise to let the emotions of protecting your wife dictate your behaviors, especially when those behaviors do not resemble behaviors you would want our young people (your children) to follow. We condemn violence against kids. We condemn violence against women. We also condemn violence when there is interracial violence caused by bias or prejudice (hate crimes). Violence should be condemned at all times.

We cannot pick and choose when violence is ok. We cannot say that violence from one Black man towards another Black man is ok because he was protecting his family. There are ways that we as GROWN MEN AND WOMEN should act or react towards others that threaten our family. Sometimes a public (international) display through acts of violence is not the answer. Sometimes we must restrain and contain our emotions and realize that our actions will dictate not only our consequences, but those of others who look up to us and may immolate our behavior. As Black men, typically no one will stop us from fighting each other. If it is a public fight, we may be at times encouraged to fight each other even more violently. Some people may even videotape the altercation and put it on “World Star Videos” for further exploitation. As Black men, we also know that unlike violence geared towards people from another race, law enforcement or security may not always intervene the right away and may not be able to solve the problem of violence or throughly stop it from happening.

Will Smith is a great actor. He is now an Oscar winner as well. I do not know what kind of husband, father or son he is, but I do know this recent incident with Chris Rock, even if the worse thing he has done, does not define him or his life. We should not cancel Will. We should not, nor let others, ban him from the Oscars. We should hold Will accountable for his actions and he should apologize to Chris and not just the Academy. Lastly, our young people need an apology and also to see alternatives to problem solving and protection other than violence. Violence is not productive, and also leads to arrest, civil suits, retaliation and even sometimes needless deaths or damage to property. We are better than this, so let’s not let this happen again. Will you are better than this.

JB

#FadetoBlack