Something Footloose Taught Me

In the popular ‘80s film (and one of my personal favorites), Footloose, Kevin Bacon portrays a character named Ren McCormack. When Ren arrives in a small town, he’s shocked to discover that the local Reverend has outlawed rock and roll music and dancing. Ray decides to shake things up by gathering with a small group of some of the towns local teens, including the Reverend’s daughter, and together they embark on a journey to embrace their right to listen to the music they want and dance as they please. Although I’m a millennial and this film came out before I was born, I have to say I can understand Ren McCormack’s plight and respect what he did. He went into a small town and brought change. The Reverend and many of the townspeople weren’t on board with Ren’s desire to change things and they probably felt threated by his desire and influence to bring dancing and rock and roll back into town. Although he was threatened, pushed around, and opposed, he was able to create the change he wanted to see. Dude even used scripture to plead his case. And he won. If you want to create any kind of change, make an impact, or start a movement, you can. I gleaned this lesson from something as entertaining as an old ‘80s film called Footloose. So what are you waiting for? By the way, if you haven’t seen Footloose, you’re missing out. It’s awesome.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

Dear Young Black Professionals

As you embark on your career, I want you to know some things and stay woke about what you’ll be up against. Please understand that no matter what, you have value, and you matter. Always remember that. As progressive as this world and different workplaces may seem, every workplace has a culture. You’ll be in different places where a lot of people who don’t look like you will be in the room. But know that you belong in those rooms too. Spend some time observing and studying those spaces and learn as much as you can. There will be people you work with who will make presumptions about your competence, education, and ability to fulfill your job duties. There will be more who will think less of you because of the color of your skin and try to disqualify you the moment you make an error, mistake, or ask questions about things you may not understand. This will all feel uncomfortable and you may get insecure, feel like you’re all by yourself, and think you don’t belong there, but ride it out...

Making Waves