The Men of the Tenth Inc. 

A paradigm shift begins when we change the way we see ourselves, our circumstances, and our possibilities. It is more than changing an opinion; it is changing the mental framework that determines what we believe is possible. Throughout Black history, some of our greatest leaders understood that before a person can change their economic condition, educational opportunities, or position in society, they must first change their mind. Malcolm X understood the power of this transf

There is a question America must have the courage to ask: What happens to a nation when it repeatedly overlooks leadership that has already proven itself capable of leading? This is not merely a question about race. It is a question about America’s unfinished promise. We live in a nation that speaks often about equality, opportunity, innovation, and leadership. Yet when we examine some of the most powerful rooms in American life—corporate boardrooms, political institutions, a

A mentor is more than somebody who gives you advice. A real mentor introduces you to a world you did not know existed. A real mentor makes you uncomfortable with your own limitations. He makes you look at yourself and ask, “Why am I not doing more?” Malcolm X discovered this lesson while incarcerated in Norfolk Prison. One of the first men who awakened that hunger in him was Bimbi. Malcolm admired Bimbi because of his extraordinary stock of knowledge. Bimbi could speak with i

Sometimes the greatest act of courage is not staying—it is leaving. We are often taught to fight for our place, to prove ourselves, and to endure whatever environment we are placed in. But there comes a time when you must ask yourself a serious question: Am I respected here, or am I merely accepted? There is a difference. Being accepted means they allow you to sit at the table. Being respected means they recognize your value when you are there. Stephon Marbury once described

Some people cannot stand to see another person succeed because your success forces them to confront their own lack of courage. Your ambition becomes a mirror, and they do not like what they see staring back at them. So they criticize you. They question you. They laugh at your dreams. They tell you why you cannot do it—even when they have never accomplished anything themselves. There is an old story about a man who was standing near an owl perched on a branch. The man studied

One of my favorite rappers, Nas, once declared, "Read more, learn more, change the globe." Notice what he said. He didn't say change your block. He didn't say change your neighborhood. He said change the globe. That wasn't just a clever rhyme—it was a revolutionary philosophy. It is a reminder that the mind has no borders. The person who controls knowledge controls possibilities. History has always proven one undeniable truth: those who seek to dominate people first try to co

Recently, Lauryn Hill received BET's Living Icon Award, a recognition that affirmed what generations of listeners have known for decades: true greatness is never measured by volume, but by impact. As a lifelong fan of Lauryn Hill—I even named my daughter after her—I have always admired her ability to stand among the greatest artists of all time in a genre historically dominated by men. She did not ask for permission to be legendary. She created her own standard. As cultural c

Growing up in the Bronx, you encounter every kind of person imaginable. You meet intellectuals who can dissect any issue, athletes chasing greatness, hustlers creating opportunities where none seem to exist, criminals trapped in destructive cycles, and countless others searching for their place in the world. Yet what is too often overlooked is the education that comes from simply surviving inner-city life. Many people see the inner city as a curse. I see it differently. I bel

In 2008–2009, I had the privilege of working for the New York Knicks, one of the most valuable franchises in professional sports. While many would view the opportunity simply as a chance to work in the NBA, it became something much greater. It became an education in leadership, race, power, and the unwritten rules that govern who is celebrated and who is controlled. That experience transformed my life. It compelled me to pursue higher education, ultimately earning a doctorate

What image comes to mind when you hear the word “Housewives” ? Do you picture loud, boisterous women thriving on drama? Do you think of...