Dad

Life came out today
In the worst way
Voice raised, daughter crying
Wife pleading
No heeding to anyone

Hit 100, wreckless, gone
Chest burning, on fire
Called by homie, got corrected
Sent text, got prayer

Lived Dreams in Broken Hope

Her mom misses her A child is gone too soon Today she’s 27, smiling, excited Her mom, crying with joy …

Wake Up

Black man, wake up bro I get it. You worked hard. You did you. Became the beast Worked your way …

Ghana Bound

Ghana is my first identity trip of Africa. I look forward to being intimate with Africa. I can’t wait to feel, touch, taste, smell, see, hear, and experience my first voyage home.

What’s up people?  Well, I have been in school and hosting a Monday Night show on Facebook called Message Monday where two Christian brothers come together and talk about faith, life, fatherhood, marriage, and politics.  What’s major in my world? My second album, My Ode to Hip Hop has been released. There’s seven tracks, two of which had been released as singles previously. Enjoy a synopsis of the album

MY ODE TO HIP HOP

  1. My City
    • Lifting up the City of Chicago, my home, and highlighting the positives in the city. We do have a lot going on negatively and positively in this city but you know the media and people love drama. I partnered with one of Chicago’s most known and influential spoken word artists, Jeronimo, so the old skool (me) could have some young flavor (him) as representative of our uniqueness as local artists. Videography was done by Caliko Films.
  2. The Gospel
    • This track is produced by Leland Philpot. It’s me keeping Yeshua at the center of all that I do and engaging no matter what I am speaking on. No hooks, just flow and one of my favorites.
  3. Dream Too
    • This track is me having fun. On the hook is my man Double G, one of the coldest spoken word artists in Chicago. A great brother in Christ and was grateful to have him on the hook. Dream Too speaks for itself. We have a vision of what we desire for our lives and the work we do to make it all possible. Keep pushing family.
  4. No Trap
    • Leland Philpot is featured on this track. His energy is not only kinetic but off the charts. Duke Digital shot the video and its awareness of police brutality and Black-on-Black crime and innocent victims like Tayshawn Lee and Hadiya Pendleton who were murdered by the merciless in our communities.
  5. For the Heads
    • Yeah, this is just straight #Barz. Hip Hop to the core and what it means to battle rap back in the day. Battle rapping is still very popular but it crosses the line of my generation. If you battle today you’d better be careful. People are pulling out pictures, background checks, and family history to battles these days.
  6. Ode to Hip Hop
    • This track features Rhamell El, a 30 year friend, who I couldn’t wait to collaborate with. We wanted to do it in our  younger years but it was time now. We’re older, seasoned, and have a different respect for the craft and talk God has given us. It’s a tribute to some hip hop greats and to local Chicago artists who have paved the way.
  7. Slow Flow
    • A title with irony as life is a Slow Flow but these barz are not. No hooks, straight through, standing in who I am and who I’ve grown to be as a man, a Christian, a husband, a father, and an humanitarian.

People ask why at 51 I am rapping. It’s what I do along with spoken word. Nope, not famous, not rocking any shows but it’s a gift that I used to engage young people at church, at work, and on the poetry scene. I’ll always right and create. I’ll never stop. I hope you take this journey with me and explore my craft that is all positive, N word, non-women bashing, no profanity, project. Artistry is always the goal and I’m a hip hop head for life, this is my contribution to the genre, to the people, and #fortheculture.

 

Predominately White Institutions: A Danger Lurking for Black Students

Unfortunately there were no consequences for the young racist who sent the message. Typical slap on the wrist justice for such actions. He’ll carry this on to his children, his nieces, his nephews and the cycle will continue. Why? Because in all our humanity some people has lost the concept of what it means to love thy neighbor.

You Are Enough

I have spoken with several of you who have reached for the same heights in your career. Years of dedicated service, outstanding reviews, and leading with heart, integrity, diligence, and human skills, along with other building blocks of performance leadership were essential to this moment.

Gun Nation

T’s & P’s

My country, where tears flow
Where guns grow with liberty
Of the I sing
Land that your fathers stole
Land that’s not your you hold

Existing

Tonight I went to see my family It was not easy, we haven’t spoken in 2 years The hurt, the …

BEAN

My present stress traumatic disorder knocks at the door
I answer, all I see are silhouettes of young people
I didn’t meet them in this life, but the visit mean in the spirit
And I fear again, chasing the dollar and career
That I have failed to be human

Silhouette

We will hold each other tightly
After spring break
Because we hope to never become
Memories
At such a youth age

Lessons

They took the court proudly As they always have Never assuming arrogance Ready to give it all Game by game …

Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images

The Other Side of High Contact Sports

I’m surely not saying that the NFL is responsible or culpable but we can’t deny the impact of head trauma that has cases of domestic violence, brain damage, physical trauma, and suicides that have been shared.

Heartbroken: The Curse of Music

There is hope for them; there should be respect for them, and there should be love for them and teaching them the right way.

Rise Simone, and Rest!

They will burn jerseys, spray a byword on your home
Throw your shoes in a bonfire, call you Benedict Arnold
Threaten your family, say you betrayed them
Don’t sweat them, it’s not your fault
Their lives are incomplete, broken, purposeless

Open Letter to Mike Huckabee

Part of my spiritual growth is standing for the marginalized, the forsaken, and the forgotten. That is the life I work to live daily in honor of my Lord Yeshua.

White Jesus, Black Plight

We must root out racism in religion so it can be rooted out in the laws that are instituted from a such a viewpoint. Otherwise we remain one nation under fraud, divisible, with liberty and justice for the rich, the wealthy, and the White.

Ramblings…

Black people wake up and no matter what trauma we experience as a community, we have to go into work …

Living While Black

The eerie feeling when a police officer pulls up behind you. He was behind me for about 6 blocks. I …

Grace & Grief: Heart Healing

I was grateful to interview the Founder and Executive Director of Grace and Grief. LaSandra Hutchinson opened up the world …

Where Did I Go Wrong?

My son
Where did I go wrong
What song didn’t I sing of love
What gift didn’t I give from the heart
What birthday did I miss
What event didn’t I attend

Free flowing

African history was not a part of my upbringing. I was about survival. No different from any other African child …

PTSD: Present Traumatic Stress Disorder

We’ve been taught to fight each other, steal from one another, kill one another, reign down terror and rage on our children, leave our women, leave our kids, hustle illegally to get by because we knew America has always been devoid of humanity.

The New Jim Crow: Challenging how we feel about “us”.

Yet, if I don’t shift my mindset towards those young Black men I don’t know and assume the worst of, we will never break the cycle inflicted on us by forces that have put us in the condition, put the knife in our hand and causes us to continually blame ourselves for our own problem.

The End of Possibility

I have never cared for most board meetings. If there is no willful intent to actively listen and address parental concerns regarding administrative changes then don’t open board meetings to the public. Parents were not heard and that corporate adage of “the board of directors knows what’s best” is arrogant.

Where Brooklyn @

Where Brooklyn at? New York, big city of dream Came in the form of teens Like animals, they ravaged A …

A Day to Remember

Today was amazing. I had the opportunity to perform at Facebook Chicago. It was the moment of a lifetime and …

The minority in the room

I learned not to judge, walk out, or be rash; translated, not walk away because anger at my child which won’t allow me see how deep she’s hurting.

Memories

I am a message, a call, a text away! I don’t have all the answers but I do have the resources. You don’t have to live life burdened anymore.

Invitation to Dinner

Hi Depression, Sorry I missed your call earlier, but I am calling you now. I know it’s that time of …

Reaching Our Young People

When five students raised their hand when I asked if they had lost a sibling to gun violence but only one said they had received counseling…

The Journey to Ghana

I struggle here, in America
We hunted like wild game
Emasculated daily
Images of torture
Places in the south we still can’t go

How Can Dad Help?

Yet, it’s the burden every woman and adolescent girl must carry. It makes me think how fortunate I am as a man, a husband, and a father.

Perspective: A Married View of Single Parents

Single parents across the country, male and female, go hard everyday as single parents. If my wife and I get tired or exhausted and we are together, how much more for the single parents? My focus is single women because I’ve been raised by three. Single moms have to put

Abdullah Shabazz: Hip Hop Rising

As in the interview, Abdullah shares his transparent journey of laying his hands on a woman the one and only time in his life. “It was a mistake and it cost me…”

Year of Da King: Positive Images of Black Men

I think the movement is important to Chicago because currently men are being demonized and all thrown into a bag there is no balance in the narrative that is being put out.  I personally don’t think there is an attack on masculinity.

Obedience: Sacrificing Ego

I’ve been tested for two months. Three test to be exact. In devotion the Spirit of the Lord gave clear …

When They See Us…

I wonder if they sleep at night Jurors, who convicted the pure Little African and Latin boys Detectives who are …

Morning

I am awake, again Unable to sleep, restless No words to pray, seeking No thoughts developing, silence Fatigued with energy, …

Abortion Issues Aren’t the Only…

When I read the comments that people make on LifeNews in their replies to a post, I am saddened. I am saddened that these same Christians make comments that are just as vile as the act of abortion. “I wish their mothers had aborted them” is what I read when they are talking about the Democratic Party. “They are going to the pits of hell”. “They should be killed”. Yes, so many wonderful Christian comments and I know that God is truly pleased with them.

The Church in Crisis

We don’t have churches being bombed but we have white supremacist walking in and murdering black worshippers. We don’t have crosses burning on front lawns but we have white evangelicals praising a president that has lifted the ugly cinderblock of racism to Hitler-like levels.

16 Shots and No Justice

And the future of the white race rests in a recent MSN post displays Nazi’s in training as they taunt and mock a veteran of the United States Military.

A Fight for our Women

There is no doubt that most people in the world have experienced domestic abuse. I was hit with extension cords, …

Justice is not Equal

How is it that a Black or Brown citizen can be punished for growing up in an impoverished environment, but white people can use privilege as a defense to escape murder charges and walk free?  Is this how we make American great again?

Silent Husbands ~ Invisible Wives

Every click arouses sounds, enticing, alluring, hypnotic
Engaging, interactive, my virtual world is heaven making my natural world hell
A sensation, the grabbing, mind pierced,  darkness shining as my light

Spoken Word Legend Blaq Ice

Despite attempts to boycott my shows, by some in the poetry community, they continued to be sold out. I have one philosophy, counter hate with love.

My Journey: The Album

Well, folks, it’s here.  After all these years I have finally completed my first Hip Hope CD.  How did I …

Longevity in the Workplace

“I’ve always been an opportunist over money.  Money grants access, opportunity grants expansion.” ALB

The Land of Opportunity

After fixing my immigration status I was able to go back to finish my BA. During this long journey with many sacrifices…

It feels like months

Where have I traveled?

A place of mystery and uncertainty

I can’t believe I am here

In this place, at this moment

Thinking, relishing, questioning

My purpose, my call, my existence

Surrounded but alone

Clinging to hope yet untethered

Trapped in the crevices of thought

I’ve traveled here before

It’s uncomfortable, that face, the reflection

Its shadow reaching out to hug me

Whispers of I love you, you have a purpose

You exist for a reason

I don’t embrace it

I turn off the light

Tears run down the mirror

I’ve been here before, it hasn’t been days

It’s been hours

In front of an empty table

Food cold, coffee bland, water lukewarm

Depression says hello

 

Lecrae: Why They Hate Him

The racial divide in Christianity is so real and a recent comparison between Lecrae and NF, in a premierechristianity.com blog, …

FireKeeper: A Voice for All Generations

Her voice, hard, subtle, strong, melodious, and powerful.  She doesn’t have to work at grabbing the attention of any audience, it’s simply a gift that comes with her anointing.  She is a retired teacher but she has never stopped educating.  

Father’s Day

Today is Father’s Day. It doesn’t garner the attention of Mother’s Day. Restaurants don’t sell out, theaters are not packed, …

Thoughts and Conversations – This USA!

I encouraged her to stay optimistic, open up a safe dialogue, and don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. Meaning, keep your job and if you’re that uncomfortable find a new one.

A Man of Passion: A Student Champion and Leader

“We need more men stepping into the roles of fathers, and modeling how to overcome the negative influences of the streets, by capitalizing on opportunities. Education is the greatest equalizer, with it you can go in any room and compete.” ~ Vondale Singleton

The Legacy, The Icon…Blaq Ice

Chicago’s own Blaq Ice, one of the best entertainers in Chicago talks about his work in Chicago and the P.O.E.T organization.

Life After a Mastermind Group

I spent six months in an extraordinary Mastermind Group this year. Lead by one of the most critical thinkers I …

What profits a person from gaining the world and losing their spouse? Ok, that’s not the scripture.

I was in Dallas last week, facilitating a cybersecurity leadership panel. I asked the panelist about the challenges of providing for their families and balancing the demands of work-related obligations. One told the story of a retirement party he attended for an executive with over 30+ years in business. “What’s next for you now that you’re retiring? asked a panelist.” He responded, “I’ll have to see if my wife still loves me.” He noted a seriousness in his voice.

People who know me know I run hard. I had to learn to run hard for my family (and I’m still learning). Life after 50, college tuition coming, shaky savings, bad investments, economic turndowns, you name it, the saints have experienced it. While running hard, forgetting our family and relationship with JAH (God) is easy. I have to remind myself that He is the Provider. I then battle with Adam’s punishment, being condemned to work by the sweat of his brow. I wrestle with being worse than an infidel for not caring for my family. All those “I’s” must be replaced daily with “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” That leads to the role of the Lord as Shepherd and how He cares for us.

I recall some of the most powerful words from my daughter when I was called upon to do something that would take me away from my family. “Just call Tony Briscoe because he’ll say yes no matter what his family needs.” Talk about a blow to my heart. I was present for others but not for the one who needed me the most. So, pray for me because it’s time to check-in, and I have to ask what I can do better as a father. What about being a better husband? Hey, one step at a time, ok? 🙂

  • I have made more games than I missed
  • I will not neglect my family for work
  • I know what it means to be a provider, my child taught me what it means to be present

Life won’t stop happening. The panelist vowed on the day of his interaction with the retiree, “I will never let my wife or children suffer by me not being present.” May we also be direct, working wife and/or working husband, working wife and husband, vowing never to forget our families. We must lean on the Lord, from whom all blessings flow, to help put the right people in our lives to help us with our financial planning, child-rearing (it still takes a village), professional and personal development, and our Christian walk.

Black Men and Promotion | By ChatGPT

I believe the right thing should be done. I also understand that in the economic downturn that is about to put the average American on their knees, that I am highly blessed. For any complaint I have had over my 26 years corporate (at 51, I’ve only had four jobs in my life in adulthood), after coming from Ghana I went back to work with a renewed vigor. Being their was humbling and because I’m still processing that trip, that’s all I am comfortable to share at the moment.

Isolation

One 24 hour trip Covid Snuck in Through Mask Penetrated lungs Isolation At home, with family a part from family …