There’s Customizing a Message for Your Audience, and There’s Perpetuating Bias

So, Grant Cardone is in the news this week. You may know him as an author and a purveyor of financial and business advice. I’ve never absorbed any of his content. I’m leery of anyone who’s made a fortune telling other people how to make a fortune — especially when they target specific audiences, like Black people. …

Aunt Jemima Is Dead

I must say I don’t feel the least bit gruesome for the subtle satisfaction I feel in acknowledging — dare I say, low key celebrating? — someone’s demise. But I don’t. I suppose it helps that Aunt Jemima isn’t actually a person. She’s a construct. An antiquated, racist construct that has now officially been rebranded. Out with …

To Like or Not to Like, the Eternal Social Media Question

You may have heard that Instagram is experimenting with its functionality. In July the popular social media platform began eliminating likes from posts in seven countries – the U.S. was not one of them – "claiming the feature will help to reduce its associated impacts on mental health and societal pressure."  The experiment hasn’t been running for long. Digital …

Nike, Betsy Ross and that Old-School Flag Probably Isn’t the Real Problem

I’ve been seeing a lot of articles lately about Gen Z and millennials. Their beliefs are changing the world, rapidly reshaping entire industries, like retail. Many of these cost-conscious young people apparently feel no real loyalty to any one brand. Instead, they focus on using the vast online resources at their disposal to search out the …

Nipsey Hussle: Short Life, Untimely Death, Enduring, Undeniably Positive Legacy

Nipsey Hussle died this week. Or, he was shot and killed this week. I didn’t know much about him. I’d never listened to any of his music until it came time to write this blog, and I thought it was a fitting sound track. My first exposure to him was through Gary Vaynerchuk of all …

Colin Kaepernick and Nike Want You to Believe in Something

Earlier this week former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick tweeted a black and white pic of his face along with the words, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” I was so happy when I realized it was Nike's 30th anniversary campaign announcement. We’re talking immediate ear-to-ear grin. It was like, yes! …