Purpose Still Wins: The Lessons That Keep Finding Me

If you had told me six months ago that I’d be writing this post without a “title” attached to my name, I might’ve laughed. Or panicked. Or both.

When the Utah MBDA lost its federal funding, it wasn’t just a professional setback — it was personal. I had poured myself into helping hundreds of businesses grow, many of them led by people who looked like me, building their dreams brick by brick. To see that work come to a close felt like a door I wasn’t ready to watch close.

But something — that quiet, unshakable something — kept telling me,
“You’re going to be okay.”

---

Faith in the Middle of the Fog

Over these past few months, I’ve applied for jobs — a lot of them. A few made it to the final interview, but every time, the door closed right before the finish line. At first, I took it hard. But then I noticed a pattern: every “no” came right after I took one more step toward my purpose.

I kept building my business.
I kept supporting other entrepreneurs.
I kept mentoring, speaking, teaching, and showing up for my community.

And while fear was still there — whispering its doubts — something deeper kept whispering louder:
Stay the course.

---

The Balance Between Fear and Faith

I won’t sugarcoat it. It’s uncomfortable living between I’m scared and I know I’ll be okay.

But that space has been one of my greatest teachers. It’s where I’ve learned to trust God’s timing, even when it doesn’t align with my timeline. It’s where I’ve realized that faith isn’t about ignoring fear — it’s about moving anyway.

Because every morning, I wake up knowing this: purpose doesn’t pause just because the paycheck did.

---

Preparation for What’s Next

In the spring of 2026, I’ll be releasing the biggest project I’ve built since founding the Utah Black Chamber. I can’t share too much yet, but I will say this: everything that’s happened has been preparation. Every delay, every disappointment, every “not yet” — they’ve been reminders that what’s coming next requires this version of me: refined, focused, and grounded in purpose.

So while the economy has its challenges and the competition is fierce, I’m not discouraged. I’m expectant. Because I know that God didn’t bring me this far to stop here.

---

Purpose Still Wins

If you’re reading this and walking through your own uncertain season, hear me clearly: You’re going to be okay, too.
Purpose doesn’t expire. It doesn’t get canceled with funding or passed over in interviews. It keeps finding you — in the quiet, in the waiting, and in the rebuilding.

So I’m choosing to end this year with gratitude and hope.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned again and again, it’s this:
Purpose still wins.

Happy Holidays,
— James Jackson III

Building With Purpose in a Season of Uncertainty

In a time of political tension, economic uncertainty, and cultural division, purpose offers the clarity and grounding leaders need to stay steady and keep building.

---

Lately, it feels like the world is in constant flux.
Between the political tension, the economy’s ups and downs, the backlash against DEI, and new waves of protest and polarization, many people are tired — not just physically, but spiritually. Even leaders who are normally steady are starting to ask, “What’s the point of trying when everything keeps shifting?”

That’s when purpose becomes more than a buzzword. It becomes an anchor.

When the headlines are loud and the future feels unpredictable, purpose reminds us why we started — and who we’re doing it for. It brings clarity when the world tries to confuse us. It centers conviction when compromise feels easier. Purpose doesn’t remove uncertainty, but it helps us move through it without losing ourselves.

---

Purpose Is the Antidote to Chaos

I’ve been in enough boardrooms, classrooms, and community rooms to know — the strongest leaders aren’t the ones who know everything. They’re the ones who stay grounded in why they’re here.

Purpose steadies your voice in divided spaces. It gives you patience when progress feels slow. And it reminds you that the goal isn’t just to survive the moment — it’s to build something that still matters after the noise quiets down.

When I look at the anti-DEI movement or the “No Kings” protests, I don’t just see opposition. I see evidence that people are wrestling with identity, fairness, and belonging. Those are purpose conversations — they just don’t know it yet. Our role, as purpose-driven leaders, isn’t to shout louder; it’s to stay consistent, humble, and clear about what we stand for.

---

Purpose Helps Us Focus on What’s Still Possible

The economy might tighten. Policies might shift. Funding might dry up. But none of that can take away your creativity, your calling, or your commitment to serve people with integrity.

If you’re leading a business, teaching students, or raising a family — your purpose is the throughline. It turns uncertainty into innovation. It shifts fear into focus. It reminds you that the work you do still has value, even when systems change.

---

Staying Grounded When Everything Feels Unsteady

Here are three reminders that keep me centered when the world feels off balance:

1. Purpose over panic. The world profits off your distraction. Protect your peace by remembering your purpose.

2. Consistency over clarity. You won’t always feel certain — but if you keep showing up, the fog eventually lifts.

3. Service over spotlight. Even small acts of purpose — mentoring someone, supporting a colleague, helping your community — build quiet momentum that lasts longer than any trend.

---

Final Thought

Purpose isn’t a slogan — it’s a stabilizer.
When politics shift and markets shake, purpose helps us stand firm in who we are and what we’re building.

So take a breath. Revisit your “why.”
And remember: Purpose still wins.

Announcing a Strategic Intelligence Partnership: J3 x Mali Insights

At J3, I’ve always believed that purpose-driven leadership and strategy are the keys to helping organizations grow, adapt, and thrive. Today, I’m excited to announce a new partnership with Mali Insights, led by my colleague and friend Siya Mali (LinkedIn)—an AI facilitator, trainer, and visionary who I first wrote about in Black Utah.

Together, we’re joining forces to bring AI strategy, training, and leadership support to small businesses and nonprofits across Utah and beyond.

---

Why This Partnership Matters

• Siya’s Expertise in AI: Mali Insights specializes in helping leaders and teams understand, adopt, and integrate artificial intelligence into their daily work, collaboration and planning.

• My Experience in Leadership & Strategy: At J3, I’ve worked with organizations across industries to build inclusive ecosystems, strengthen leadership, and execute purpose-driven strategies.

• Our Shared Vision: We both believe AI isn’t just a “tech trend”—it’s a leadership and equity opportunity. Done right, AI can empower under-resourced organizations to scale, innovate, and stay ahead of the curve. This is particularly pertinent in a time more teams are pushed to do more with less

---

The AI Opportunity for Small Businesses & Nonprofits

Too often, the conversation about AI centers on large corporations with entire teams dedicated to adoption. But the reality we’re already experiencing in conversations we’re having is:

• AI can help a two-person nonprofit do the work of ten.

• AI will give small businesses the edge—from customer service automation, and training to financial forecasting.

• AI frees up leaders to focus on strategy and people, rather than getting buried in administrative tasks. It already promises to give teams leverage to do far more than possible without it.

The federal government is already investing heavily in AI research, development, and regulation. That means the rules are being written now, and organizations that adopt early will have a major AI literacy advantage, outpace those that don’t. We are meeting with those that understand this and are ready to position themselves accordingly.

---

How We’ll Help

J3 and Mali Insights will partner to:

• Train leaders and staff on practical AI tools that increase efficiency and effectiveness.

• Facilitate workshops that integrate AI into strategic planning and daily operations.

• Advise organizations on how to align AI adoption with their mission, vision, and community impact.

Our goal is simple: to help small businesses and nonprofits not just keep up, but lead the pack in their industries.

---

Moving Forward

This partnership is about more than technology. It’s about equipping organizations to lead with confidence, purpose, and innovation in an AI-driven world.

If you’re a business or nonprofit leader curious about how AI can transform your work, Siya and I would love to connect. Let’s explore how to put strategy, leadership, and AI to work for you.

Purpose still wins.

What Inclusive Leadership Looks Like in 2025

We’ve talked about inclusive leadership for years—but in 2025, it’s no longer just a buzzword. It’s a requirement.

From corporate boardrooms to community-based nonprofits, the leaders who are making the biggest impact today aren’t necessarily the loudest or the most credentialed. They’re the ones who know how to create space, build trust, and lead with purpose—especially across lines of difference.

So what does inclusive leadership actually look like in 2025?

Based on my work across business, education, and economic development spaces, here are the five traits I see in the most effective inclusive leaders today:

1. Emotional Intelligence > Performative Statements

In 2020, we saw a flood of statements. In 2025, teams want something deeper.
Inclusive leaders are emotionally intelligent. They can read a room, navigate tension with care, and adapt without losing their center. They don’t need to be perfect—they need to be self-aware.

2. Purpose-Driven Clarity

It’s not enough to say you’re committed to equity or inclusion. What does that look like in your strategy? In your hiring? In your spending?
Inclusive leaders have clarity about their purpose, and they align their decisions and metrics to reflect it. The best ones bring their team along for the ride.

3. Cultural Fluency, Not Just “Cultural Fit”

Great leaders in 2025 don’t just expect others to assimilate. They’re fluent in different communication styles, lived experiences, and community contexts.
Whether you’re leading a team of interns or a board of directors, cultural fluency builds bridges—and it builds trust.

4. Power Sharing

True inclusion means knowing when to step back, not just when to step up.
The best leaders I’ve worked with are willing to share credit, shift power, and invest in emerging voices—especially those who haven’t traditionally been heard.

5. Accountability to Action

At the end of the day, inclusive leadership isn’t about how you feel—it’s about what you do.
It’s about shifting systems, not just talking about values. And it’s about being held accountable for both.

So… What Now?

If you’re leading a team, board, classroom, or organization—and you're ready to practice inclusive leadership with intention—I’d love to work with you.

From workshops on emotional intelligence and adaptive leadership, to strategic planning rooted in purpose, my consulting practice helps leaders grow with clarity, culture, and results.

If you're leading a team, board, or organization—and you're ready to practice inclusive leadership with purpose—I’d love to help.

I offer:

• Leadership workshops

• Strategic retreats

• Executive coaching

• Board training

Connect and let’s work together.

How to Build a Small Business Ecosystem That Actually Works

Everyone talks about supporting small businesses. But far fewer talk about what it actually takes to build an ecosystem where those businesses can grow—and stay.

As someone who’s worked with chambers, cities, funders, and entrepreneurs across sectors, I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and where the gaps usually show up.

What is a small Business Ecosystem?

A small business ecosystem isn’t just about access to capital.

It’s the infrastructure of people, policies, programs, and partnerships that help entrepreneurs launch, sustain, and scale.
A healthy ecosystem includes:

• Technical assistance providers

• Local governments

• Anchor institutions

• Colleges and workforce systems

• Funders and lenders

• The businesses themselves

What Makes an Ecosystem Actually Work?

1. It’s Place-Based and Community-Led

No two ecosystems should look the same.
Start with lived experience—not imported frameworks. Listen to those already doing the work on the ground.

2. It’s Coordinated, Not Competitive

Partners must align around shared goals and clear roles.
This isn’t about who gets credit—it’s about who gets served.

3. It Includes Underserved Entrepreneurs by Design

If inclusion is an afterthought, the system is broken.
BIPOC, women, and rural entrepreneurs must be part of the design from the beginning.

4. It Has Funders Who Get It

Funders should support infrastructure and long-term trust—not just flashy outcomes.
This means investing in technical assistance and grassroots leadership.

Let’s Build Smarter

If you’re a city, chamber, foundation, or community partner looking to build a truly effective ecosystem—I’d love to work with you.

I offer ecosystem strategy support, partnership facilitation, program development, and advisory services designed to uplift entrepreneurs who’ve historically been left out.

From Community to Strategy: Why Purpose Still Wins in Business

We live in a world that celebrates metrics—impact reports, dashboards, KPIs. And while data matters, here’s a truth I’ve seen proven time and time again:

“Purpose still wins.
Behind every sustainable business or inclusive initiative is a reason deeper than metrics—a purpose that drives not just what we do, but how we do it.”

— James Jackson, III

From Builder to Strategist

When I first started this work, I wasn’t calling myself a strategist. I was a builder.

I built trust. I built coalitions. I built Utah’s Black Chamber from scratch, and I built connections between communities that had long been overlooked.

Eventually, I realized something important:
Community building is strategic.

When rooted in purpose, it becomes a catalyst for stronger teams, resilient businesses, and long-term change.

Top: Moderating panel at Westminster University Small Business Conference. Bottom: Utah Black Chamber Community BBQ.

Why I Am Reintroducing Myself

Today, I serve as a speaker, strategist, and thought partner to organizations that want to lead with purpose and clarity.

I work with chambers, colleges, nonprofits, corporations, and city agencies to design inclusive growth strategies—strategies that stick.

Here’s how I support clients:

• Building supplier diversity programs that drive results

• Facilitating strategic planning sessions with depth and direction

• Growing small business ecosystems that are sustainable

• Delivering keynotes and workshops that move audiences to action

And I do this intentionally—partnering with a limited number of clients to go deep, not wide.

What Purpose in Action Looks Like

Here’s what I’ve helped leaders accomplish by centering strategy on purpose:

• Doubled supplier diversity spend for a regional bank

• Trained college leaders in emotional intelligence and adaptive leadership

• Delivered keynotes that moved audiences from inspiration to implementation

These weren’t generic playbook wins. They were purpose-first strategies—with people at the center.

Let’s Build What Matters

Let’s stop building programs just to check boxes. Let’s build movements, momentum, and strategies that last.

Because in a world chasing quick results, purpose is still the most disruptive force we have.

Learn More About My Services

Who Are You Influenced By?

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

“You are the average of the people you hang around with the most.”

We’ve all probably heard these sayings before. One of the most critical elements to our success is our association. How our perspectives are developed, the visions we create for ourselves, and access to resources and community are all determined by how we are raised and who we surround ourselves with. 

“The rich get richer and the poor get poorer” phrase gets used a lot because the rich have access to things rich people have access to, while the poor are exposed to their own network. This also means our minds are trained by this. Poor people typically develop a mindset of limitations and problems while the rich develop a mindset of opportunity and solutions. We usually see crime and violence occur in low income neighborhoods. With thoughts full of problems and limitations, people typically see no way. It’s hard to be creative when you don’t think you’re worthy or deserving. However, some take the opportunity to find a bridge to cross and connect with others outside of their network to help with their dream.

As a Black man growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah, one would think I wouldn’t have the access to an environment designed for me to succeed. With a small Black population, you would think it would be difficult to see someone like me in positions of success. However, it was quite the opposite for me. Calvary Baptist Church was not only my church home, but my community. I was fortunate to be in a church of successful Black church members – legislators, lawyers, doctors, educators and business owners filled the church pews every Sunday. Being around them, listening to them, hearing their stories and experiences, taught me what I should be striving towards and how to do it. It wasn’t until I reached adulthood I realized the value of my ‘social capital!’ Yes, money makes the world go around, but it’s our influence that pays for the trip. What type of adventure do you want to take – a cruise across the pond or a trip around the world?

I was trying to mentor a young boy in high school. He came from an immigrant family and was living with his three siblings and his mom in a two-bedroom apartment in a low income neighborhood. I was introduced to him because he was getting into trouble at school and not performing well academically. When I met with him, he kept talking about his friends and what they were doing. It seemed like he was just trying to fit in. He didn’t understand that his thought process was so wrong. When he saw or interacted with white people, he looked at them as superior people who had it all. He didn’t think he would be able to have that same life because of his circumstances. 

Meanwhile, his sister is thriving. Only a year older, she graduated high school with grades well enough to earn a full ride to college. She got access to tutors and a support team to help her on the path of getting into college and is in her first year now. What was the difference between her success and her brother’s challenges? Her association. She chose to be surrounded by different people and not allow her circumstances to be a barrier to what she wants to become. 

We all have a dream of what we want to become. We have a vision of what we want to achieve. However, the people around us can sometimes, intentionally or unintentionally, crush our dreams or diminish our confidence of becoming more. Our social capital is critical to our growth, so choose your association wisely. It is hard when it’s a close friend you grew up with or even a family. Those relationships you can’t just immediately cut off. But when it comes to better yourself, live a more fulfilling and abundant life, you can’t be held back by them. Either they are on board with you or they’re not. If they love you enough, they’ll change their views. But ‘if you can’t change the people around you, then you have to change the people around you.’ 

LIVE WITH PURPOSE!

Mentors Magnify, Allies Magnify

mentors magnify

No matter your position in life or career, we all have the ability to mentor someone. To expand our influence and build our community, it’s critical we take every opportunity we can to share our experiences to potentially elevate those around us. Mentorship stands as a cornerstone of personal and professional growth, offering a transformative journey guided by experience and wisdom. The importance of mentorship lies in its capacity to bridge knowledge gaps, provide invaluable insights, and nurture skills that go beyond textbooks or formal education. A mentor's guidance, gained through years of trial, error, and success, empowers mentees to navigate challenges with more confidence and efficacy. Through mentorship, individuals gain access to a wealth of practical knowledge, unlocking a deeper understanding of industry nuances and unwritten rules. Moreover, mentorship fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie, creating a support system that encourages ambition and resilience. As mentors share their stories of both triumphs and failures, mentees are inspired to dream big while learning from the lessons of their mentors' past. Ultimately, mentorship serves as a two-way street, where mentors find fulfillment in giving back, while mentees embark on a transformative journey toward realizing their full potential, magnifying their presence to become more visible to opportunities. 

I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my mentors. When founding the Utah Black Chamber, the Utah Hispanic Chamber’s leadership was instrumental in guiding me through the process of setting up the organization, how to get members and sponsors, and the responsibility of amplifying the voice of a diverse community. I followed their advice, attended their events and took notes of how they put them on. I started my network with their network, as they were happy to make introductions to essential influencers and organizations to get the Black Chamber growing in the right direction. From the Hispanic chamber to the Calvary Baptist Church congregation, I have had a consistent village around me to to help find my passion and my purpose. 

allies amplify

Allies are just as important as mentors. They play a pivotal role in driving positive change, fostering inclusivity, and amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. The importance of allies lies in their ability to use their privilege, influence, and resources to advocate for marginalized individuals or groups. Allies actively challenge systemic biases and work towards creating environments where everyone can thrive. Their support not only helps dismantle barriers but also creates a sense of safety and belonging for those facing discrimination. By standing alongside those in need, allies contribute to a more diverse and equitable society, promoting collaboration and understanding across different backgrounds. Their actions serve as a catalyst for progress, reminding us that we are all interconnected in the journey towards a fairer and more just world. After the murder of George Floyd, the Utah Black Chamber had a member joining everyday for nearly the entire summer of 2020. The majority of the new members were not Black small businesses, however. They were individuals and organizations who wanted to better support the Black community. These allies were offering their resources, skills and abilities and their network to support the chamber’s mission. The chamber was already experiencing exponential growth and the social injustice movement of 2020 further accelerated the growth of the chamber. It grew not only in membership and revenue, but the chamber has since been serving as one of the strongest voices of the diverse community.

Mentors magnify and allies amplify. To achieve your purpose, these people are critical to your village. 

Becoming a Visionary

The Utah Black Chamber’s Black Business Expo and Motown Show is tomorrow. It’s the first one I will miss since I founded the organization 15 years ago! I believe this one is going to be the best one yet! I am sad I am going to miss it, but I’m ecstatic about the chamber’s direction since I stepped down from leading it over a year ago. The vision I had for this organization is coming to fruition, and I believe there are three elements becoming a visionary.

First, I led this organization with passion. When I spoke, people listened. I never saw myself as an animated person, but my voice does elevate when I am excited about something. Through my voice, they felt my energy, my determination and saw my vision. Support continued to grow mostly because of my passion. The chamber didn’t show much impact in the first five years, but the community felt what it could become and came along for the journey.

I never intended to lead the organization forever. I wanted to set up the chamber for success and pass the baton to someone else to lead it. I gave myself five years to execute this plan. When the five-year mark hit, my vision for this organization grew bigger. I had stronger leadership from my board, the organization was making a larger impact and the chamber began growing into a community hub. Because of the chamber’s success, my influence grew as well. I never thought I would have the platform I have today. Once I began to realize who I have become and what’s possible, I felt like all the barriers of what I wanted to accomplish disappeared.

The biggest factor in removing those barriers was understanding the vision was bigger than me. Many of us feel the vision we have is dependent on our abilities only. What I learned from the process of growing the Utah Black Chamber is that my vision grew not because of the impact the chamber was having on the community, but seeing the buy-in of the vision from other leaders. This where you go from having a vision to becoming a visionary. A visionary knows that it’s going to take more than them, their skills and resources. If your vision is big enough, it’s going to take a village.

Lastly, because it takes a village, you have to be willing to delegate and let go. People thought it would be so hard for me to pass on the chamber to a new leader. Not only was it my plan the whole time, but as I grew to become a community builder, the chamber was one of the several aspects of my newly formed and bigger vision. When Dr. Sidni Shorter became the new President & CEO, I transitioned to a facilitator, supporting her and navigating her through the vision and identifying new leaders into other roles created in the other projects and organizations that I developed. Having a good leader in place gave me the confidence that I needed to continue to grow as a facilitator of a network of leaders within the community to carry out the vision I have set out to accomplish.

Passion, influence and becoming a great facilitator are the qualities of a visionary. It’s not about a position as a CEO, government official or a celebrity. I was none of those things, and I still don’t possess any of those roles. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most influential people during his time, and didn’t begin in those roles. But he was passionate about his cause and his influence grew. While he maintained as being the voice of his vision, so many others stepped up and gave their voice.

We all have the potential to be a visionary. We all have dreams and goals that are in our minds. They are in our minds for a reason. Someone put them there, and they are not meant to just sit and remain a dream. Don’t limit yourself to what you’re capable of. Get passionate about your dream. Know you have a village that will support you. And if you feel you don’t have a village, then your passion will lead you growing one and building your influence. My encouragement to you is become a visionary. The community needs your ideas, thoughts, and we’re excited to see your dreams come to fruition!

live with purpose!

Rebirth of a Nation

America’s first feature-length motion picture premiered on this day, February 8, 1915. The film premiered at Clune’s auditorium in Los Angeles, California and was a box office smash. During its unprecedented three hours, it popularized countless filmmaking techniques that remain central to the art today. The film, Birth of a Nation, was produced by DW Griffith, based on Thomas Dixon’s novel, The Clansman. It tells the turbulent story of American history in the 1860s, as it followed the fictional lives of two families from the North and the South. In the film’s climax, the Ku Klux Klan rises up to save the South from the Reconstruction-Era prominence of African-Americans in Southern public life. 

Birth of a Nation was one of the most offensive films ever made, because of its explicit racism. The film provides a highly subjective history of the Civil War, Reconstruction and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan. African-Americans are portrayed as brutish, lazy, morally degenerate and dangerous, and played by white actors with blackface. Riots and protests broke out in several Northern cities and the NAACP engaged in a campaign to have the film banned. The film was eventually censored in several cities, but was still seen by millions of people. Although the KKK was suppressed by the government in the 1870s, it was re-founded in December 1915 and spread throughout the North and the South. By 1924, Klan membership was estimated to be as high as three million.₁ Birth of a Nation consequently gave ‘birth to a nation.’

“Don’t forget what I am.

Don’t forget who I am.

I am Black dude.

And don’t forget how I got here.

My ancestors were kidnapped, I don’t even know where the fuck I’m from.

They were put on the bottom of boats.

They sailed across the Atlantic.

Many of them died.

Only the strongest survived.

And once they got here, they beat the humanity out of my people.

They turned us into beasts of burdens.

They made us do their work, and the irony is hundreds of years later, they’re calling us lazy.

We fought in the civil war, we damn near freed ourselves.

Now we are all here.

Four hundred year nightmare.

Took us four hundred years to figure out as a people.

The white people’s weakness the whole time.

Was kneeling during the national anthem.”

-Dave Chappelle

It was 2016, just over 100 hundred years later, Colin Kaepernick was seen on the sideline kneeling while the National Anthem was being performed before an NFL game. Before this time, Kaepernick was labeled as a star quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He holds the NFL records for the most rushing yards by a QB in a single game and season. He led his team to the Super Bowl in 2013 where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens by just three points. With his success, Kaepernick used his rising NFL star platform to bring awareness to police brutality and racism against African-Americans. Many fans of the game did not like his form of protest and the act brought so much controversy, it brought not only the attention of Commissioner Roger Goodell, but also President Donald Trump. After that season, Kaepernick’s contract wasn’t renewed and hasn’t taken a NFL snap since. The President took an extreme dislike to the extent of calling Kaepernick and the other athletes who kneeled names, saying they should be fired and shouldn’t even be living in this country if they are to ‘disrespect this country.’ 

But it wasn’t just Kaepernick and other NFL players who took a knee, other professional athletes in soccer, basketball and others took a knee as well. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, more protests and riots broke out around the country. More athletes and other entertainers began to speak out on police brutality and the injustices against African-Americans. For us, this isn’t anything new. While the world was shut down from COVID watching George Floyd being murdered by a police officer, it brought unprecedented visibility to the injustices African-Americans have been rioting, protesting and advocating against since having a voice. We can say it began with Negro spirituals such as “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” to Billie Holliday’s “Strange Fruit” in the 1930s. Gospel music artist of the 60s, Mahalia Jackson, used her gospel music heiress throne throughout the civil rights movement, performing alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. and for American presidents. Even though hip hop has been marked as music produced by ‘thugs and criminals,’ it constantly talks about racism and the systemic barriers, from Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” in the late 80s to Donald Glover’s song, “This is America.” Today, it’s not just hip hop that is trying to ‘fight the power,’ you can now hear it in pop, R&B and even country music. Let’s not also forget all the countless films that share examples of racism in our country, from the movies sharing the lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, to ‘Do the Right Thing’ by Spike Lee, “The Hate You Give” and “If Beale Street Could Talk” just to list a few, in addition to the countless documentaries. Since 2020, streaming platforms such as Netflix and Prime Video created special categories featuring films and documentaries to help bring awareness of not only Black History, but Black Excellence in our community. We’ve seen the power of how entertainment can drive influence and change. But is it enough? 

While we, as African-Americans, our influencers, entertainers and allies strive to bring awareness of what needs to change, the government is now trying to censor what can be taught in schools. They fear ‘critical race theory’ (CRT) admonishes all white people for being oppressors while classifying all Black people as hopelessly oppressed victims. These fears have spurred school boards and state legislators all around the country to ban teachings about racism in classrooms. Some parents also worry about their kids learning things in school they do not have the capacity to address.₂ Similar to how I struggle helping my kid with math. I was so good at math in school, but now I can’t remember anything my daughter brings to me for help. Our future, not just the future of our Black youth, but all youth, are at risk of being prevented from understanding what makes this country who we are today. Even more seriously, I am a Black man who is a step-father to three non-Black children. Conversations about what happened to George Floyd, the protests and the things being heard at school over the last two years have been not only uncomfortable, but enlightening. I’m amazed how much my children don’t know what I feel they should know to navigate this world and how unprepared I am in sharing with them about Black History other than my own experiences. I can share with them how I feel, but am I doing more harm than good sharing my feelings, which could possibly not always be positive nor accurate? On the Daily Show, comedian DL Hughely said while interviewing guests, “Slaves weren’t allowed to read and now it’s becoming illegal for our youth to read about enslaved people.” CRT is being grossly misrepresented in the public eye, which is probably one of the main reasons why it was only being taught and mainly purposed for college graduate courses and law school. CRT is the study of the racism that is embedded in our US social institutions such as the criminal justice system, the housing and labor markets and healthcare and not white people as individuals or even entire groups of people. However, many Americans are not able to separate their individual identity from institutions that govern us. What that says to me is that they perceive themselves as the system and are unwilling to remove the blind spot obscuring the fact that America is still not great for everyone. Birth of a Nation was seen by millions of people around the country and the harm it has inflicted on African-Americans, particularly African-American men, has yet to be lifted 108 years later. This advocacy for ‘censorship’ of our past is attempting to forget the transgressions and move on believing either the systemic barriers can be resolved without looking at our past or believing that these barriers don’t exist. We live in a land that ‘celebrates’ Martin Luther King, Jr. and ‘acknowledges’ February as Black History Month, so I struggle to understand this hypocrisy of celebration and recognition while attempting to censor the purpose behind it all. 

So, while our life experiences in this country are trying to be silenced and we are being continually oppressed in the systems, the media is trying to advocate the injustices louder. We have seen how entertainment can bring influence to society. Following the predecessors of past entertainment, including Birth of a Nation, music, film, athletes and influencers of today have brought awareness to racial injustices in our country, and even more significantly in the last two years. Entertainment award shows, such as the Grammys and Oscars have allowed celebrities to use their platform to advocate for change, while seeing the entertainment industry grow more and more diverse, particularly the LGTBQ+ community. Film and music are a stark contrast from the 1915 film, trying to change the narrative and pushing to make significant strides for change.

The main question we should be asking ourselves is who do we want to best educate our youth, our future, on not only how this country truly came to be, but how to communicate and connect with others that don’t look like them? How would you tell your white child why their classmate was treated differently than they were, ask questions about offensive language or references, or worse, your child comes home using racist and offensive language? How would you respond? Whether you’d believe it or not, your children are not much different from when you were their age and are still hearing similar offensive language that you heard, or possibly even used. If you’re not prepared to address it, who is? Who would you like them to address it with? Wouldn’t it make sense to prepare our teachers properly to have these conversations? The teachers who are paid to prepare our students for the future? We are in a very interesting time where I am seeing our country more divided than I have ever witnessed and banning CRT, or any type of ethnic studies from our schools, only pulls us further apart. Later in the segment of the Daily Show with DL Hughley, he goes on to say that while white people disagree with the actions of the KKK and white supremacy, they are not opposed to the outcome. If we are not willing to teach our full past so students have an understanding of the community growing around them, we could potentially experience a new birth of a nation; a nation that reverses the progress we have made causing greater pain and prove that America wants a superior race. To avoid this ‘rebirth,’ I ask, who do we want educating our students about our growing multicultural nation? Someone like me, concerned, frustrated and motivated to bring change, our entertainers, whose influence is stronger than our own government at times, you, who often has no idea how, or our school system, supposedly purposed to build our future? By eliminating the latter, we should be very concerned who will organically move to that position. 

₁“The Birth of A Nation” opens, glorifying the KKK. History.com editors. Link. A&E Television Networks. Published 2/9/2010

₂ “Why are States Banning Critical Race Theory?” Rashawn Ray and Alexander Gibbons. Link. November 2021