Our responsibility as parents—and as leaders—is to place those we love in positions that expand their opportunities beyond where we started.
A Room Full of Philadelphia Giants
I often reflect on a defining moment during the 2016 election season—when I found myself seated among some of Philadelphia’s most influential leaders. The gathering took place at Triumph Baptist Church, convened by the legendary Pastor James S. Hall. In that room were Senator Sharif Street, Rev. Dr. Robert P. Shine Sr., Ryan Boyer, Kenny Gamble, Raheem Islam, the late Willie I. Graves Sr., Otis L. Bullock Jr., Joe Cartain, and several others whose names still carry weight in this city.
The conversation centered on voter mobilization—specifically, “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV) strategies and how to engage the community ahead of what would soon become the Trump presidency. I didn’t attend that meeting just for myself. I brought my son, Jamir.
I wanted him to witness what it looks like when people with vision, influence, and shared purpose come together. I wanted him to experience the gravity of a decision-making room. Above all, I wanted him to comprehend the importance of being present in the room.
Raising a Leader Through Exposure
At the time, Jamir had just graduated from high school and was weighing his college options—initially set on Morehouse College, then pivoting at the last minute to pursue his education in Winter Park, Florida. Throughout his life, I made a point to take him across the country to different environments: meetings, conferences, and community events. I did this not as a spectator, but as someone who was learning about the world from the inside out.
That investment paid off. Around 2021, Jamir organized a conference that brought together the families of victims of police brutality—including the families of Jacob Blake, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor. The President of the Philadelphia City Council presented the group with official citations recognizing their work and advocacy.
There is much more to that story, and I’ll share it in time. But what it reaffirms is a principle I hold deeply: our responsibility as parents is to place our children in positions that expand their possibilities beyond where we started.
Operating Quietly—and Why That’s Changing
Personally, I have never concealed my identity, yet I have consistently opted to operate discreetly. Over the years, I’ve sat in rooms where I was expected to be one of the most knowledgeable people present, particularly around technology and digital strategy. That background is not accidental. I hold a master’s degree in Internet marketing, and I have spent decades studying, applying, and building.
My long-held conviction is that African Americans must build and own our own media platforms. We’re watching that happen in real time through podcasts and independent media voices—but the next challenge is transforming those platforms into sustainable, influential institutions. That is the work I care about.
People are sometimes surprised by the rooms I’ve been in, the conversations I’ve had with high-level leaders, or the breadth of what I’ve built quietly. I rarely discuss those things publicly. Recognition has never been my primary motivation. But I’ve grown enough to understand that silence can sometimes be a disservice—to others and to God’s purpose for my life.
The Message From the Hospital Bed
During a period when I was in the hospital, I had an abundance of time to reflect and pray. One of the clearest messages I received during that season was this: stop hiding the gifts and talents God has placed in you.
For years, I had deliberately downplayed my abilities in certain settings because I didn’t want to make others feel uncomfortable or inferior. I’ve always understood that some people respond to confidence by pulling away, and I tried to accommodate that. But over time, I came to a different understanding: your presence, when it’s rooted in authenticity, doesn’t diminish others. It can actually challenge them to rise.
Sometimes the most encouraging thing you can do is simply show up fully.
The Simple Truth
I don’t claim to be the most accomplished person in any room. What I do know is the value of what God has placed within me—and the responsibility that comes with it.
Growth requires continuous learning, honest reflection, and the willingness to fail and keep going. The experiences and lessons I’ve accumulated over decades are no longer things I’ll keep to myself. As I continue writing and building out my podcasts, more of these stories will surface.
The message of this reflection is simple: be true to yourself. Embrace growth. And whatever gifts you’ve been given—don’t bury them. Use them to the glory of God, for the benefit of those who come after you.
