Take the Shot, LeBron

This past summer, when NBA superstar LeBron James announced that he was returning “home” to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he wrote an essay to express why he decided to return “home.” LeBron wrote, “I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where… Continue reading Take the Shot, LeBron

People like us…

…do things like this.” That’s something I learned from my Advisor. It’s a saying that’s supposed to put the listener in an empathetic mindset: how do the people you’re trying to reach self-identify? What’s the secret handshake? Is there a black turtleneck and denim uniform? White earbuds? Making it personal, how do I let the… Continue reading People like us…

On Best White and Other Anxious Delusions

If you watched last year’s MTV Video Music Awards, where Beyoncé received the coveted Video Vanguard Award, you will know that Laverne Cox had a better time than anyone else. During Beyoncé’s flawless 16-minute performance, Cox was dancing, singing along and being an endless source of “yaaaaaaaaaaasssss” memes. Reading South African author Rebecca Davis’ book… Continue reading On Best White and Other Anxious Delusions

On Sponsorship

Before the first piece was published on Abernathy—before the domain was even purchased—I spent a lot of time thinking through the business and how it would change the lives of those we’re trying to reach. For Abernathy to have the traction and reach necessary to make a difference, it needs to make money. How do… Continue reading On Sponsorship

State of Emergency

“Strictly spiritual, no thugs and criminals. Our voice gonna resound like old hymnals.” Many of you know me for being the outspoken protester that confronted Geraldo Rivera during the protests in Baltimore sparked by the death of Freddie Gray in police custody. At that moment, and for a week and a half before that, I… Continue reading State of Emergency

Black Like Me

Once upon a time, I lived in Colombia. And one day, I posted this as my Facebook status: Acabo de caminar del gimnasio. Hoy es un día brillante de sol tropical. Y bajo de ese sol iluminante, se me dió cuenta que yo era el único negro/moreno/mulato en la calle que no era obrero, vigilante,… Continue reading Black Like Me