“According to a news segment on CNBC’s website, the spending power of Black people in the United States reached $1.6 trillion in 2021.  We have spending power but how are we choosing to use that power to our benefit and the benefit of future generations of Black people?  How much money are we investing in Black owned businesses,  Black owned media and home ownership?  How much of it are we spending without any thought as to where those dollars are going and if they are being circulated in our communities?”

“It is not selfish to secure our own wellness before helping other groups of people be well. However,  what we have done far too often is delay or deny ourselves opportunities to serve ourselves, opting instead to serve others or to naively rely on others to help us after we have helped them.”

“As good as it feels to see these highly, qualified Black people in power (and it does feel good), how has their service directly supported and benefited Black Americans, not to the exclusion of other Americans, but to the inclusion and well-being of Black people?  And what happens when power transfers, they retire, or they pass away?    What is the legacy?  How does the progress continue?”

“With perfect pliés and amazing arabesques, these young dancers sliced through the stereotypes of who could be a ballet dancer.  They rewrote the often times racist script that dictated who belonged and who didn’t.  Without uttering a single word, the choreography, music and costumes whispered, “I see you.  You are loved.  You are worthy.  You belong here.”