The year of our Lord 2020 continues to take many of our greatest human treasures. We loss a giant in the incomparable Rev C. T. Vivian. He was a chief lieutenant in the civil rights movement, founded and developed the upward bound program, and was the epitome of what most men hope to be, a scholar and a gentleman.

We need you to pick up someone and bring them to Selma.

When I first met Rev. C. T., I was living in Selma, Alabama and would routinely spend weekends in Atlanta, GA to get that “city life” out of my system. Word got to the team in Selma that I was in Atlanta and someone at the National Voting Rights Museum had the brilliant idea to “see if Batman can pick up someone and bring them to Selma”. Always willing to oblige,

Where there’s tremendous challenge, there’s great opportunity. As companies navigate the new realities of life with the novel corona virus, food retail companies have seen a boon in revenues.

The famed story of our 35th President’s engagement with a NASA Janitor has become a legendary case study in team sacrifice and “universal” goal understanding. For those unfamiliar, the USA was in a space exploration race with Russia and our stretch goal was to put a man on the moon. While visiting NASA to assess the progress, JFK asked the janitor about his job within the organization and what he does. The janitor’s response, “I’m helping to put a man on the moon”. It’s a great story of how every member of the team, regardless of stature, has a role to play in reaching the ultimate goal or aspiration. For those that lead teams, it’s difficult to foster and nurture this type of dedication with organizations- but not impossible. It is squarely on leaderships shoulders to keep staff engaged and enrolled in the universal mission. Here are some ideas to help keep your team engaged and striving toward your industry equivalent of… putting a Man on the Moon.

The wife and I celebrated 10 years of marital bliss (and not so bliss, it’s me trust me)! We postponed our exact date to accompany some close friends as they were to exchange their nuptials… wait for it… in Jamaica!!! We’d never been before and we figured it a great way to get a 2-for-1 and build new memories to carry us into our next decade of marriage.

It’s popular to characterize sustained dominance as a… Dynasty. There are few things that we appreciate more than sustainability- with good reason. Sustained excellence in any endeavor especially professional sports requires many of the characteristics that are esteemed in our culture: dedication, perseverance, sacrifice, team buy-in, selflessness… you get the idea. Although we are at times desperate to award the distinction of dynasty, we can’t change the status or lower the bar on what the factor that determines what establishes a true “dynasty” vs a “successful era”. That factor is GENERATION. A true dynasty must expand an era and extend through generations. Also, the stars that build the dynasty take a secondary position to the fierce love or hate for the Franchise. By that standard, although tremendously successful, the New England Patriots (as the Chicago Bulls of the 90’s) are not a dynasty. I know this may sound contrarian but hear me out.

My freshman year at Morehouse my roommate was a die-hard Philadelphian. He had a tremendous amount of pride in his city: every Philly sports team, the Landmarks, and of course the Philly cheesesteak (you knew food would be mentioned). There are a few cities that give you an instant picture when they come to mind. For me, Philadelphia is Dr. J (Allen Iverson for Millennials), Boys II Men, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Randle Cunningham, a cracked bell, and the theme to Rocky.

You all know that I have this love affair with Los Angeles. The sun shines everyday, the beach, the culture, the food… I mean there’s a lot to like. That said, I absolutely loathe the LA Lakers and everything they’re made of. I thought that my hate for the Lakers would transfer to over to the Dodgers by association but it didn’t happen. My brother took me to a Dodger game and everything that you love of LA is on full display.

In every region they’re a location that sticks out as THE city. In the Southeast Atlanta holds that distinction (no knock on Charlotte, Tampa, or Miami), on the East coast it’s NYC (love Philly -blog coming soon- and Jersey), out West it’s L.A. (although San Francisco is making their case), and in the Midwest it’s Chicago.

When I touch down in Cleveland Hopkins International airport and arrive at the baggage claim, I’m greeted by a Superman display boasting of how the story of Superman began in Cleveland. Now the tone is set! Superman!!! Superman is definitely some big shoes to fill. He was faster than a speeding bullet, could leap tall buildings in a single bound, and more powerful than a speeding locomotive, in essence Superman is the proverbial Trump card to any Super hero from your city. He started in Cleveland. Out of the gate I know there’s a competition at play and being a true Michigander, born in Detroit, and a Black Man, I’m always up for a competition. I’ve been from Frisco to Maine, walked the Great Wall of China twice and didn’t get tired, so Cleveland would have to “bring it”! Baggage claimed, rental car secured, now let’s see what the fuss is all about.

My first time traveling to the Pacific Northwest and I’m excited at the prospects! I’ve gotten several recommendations for great places to go and wonderful sites to see. Arriving at the Portland airport, I’m struck by its design and modern feel. It’s like these guys are years ahead. It’s clear why PDX is revered as one of the highest rated airports in the U.S. Well, 5 hour flight done, rental car secured, time to see what all the fuss is about.