Op-Ed

Can Federal Lynching Law Help Heal America?

For three centuries lynching was a standard practice in the cruel treatment of Black men, women, and children in America. Even after slavery, Blacks from 1882 – 1959 were lynched on average every six days, totaling at least 4,733 brutal deaths, according to researchers at the Tuskegee Institute.

Communities do not trust institutions. This is how we’re regaining it.

Americans have lost trust in the ability of large institutions like the federal government, national media, and large companies – even big banks – to understand or care about their needs.  This view is justified, particularly among communities of color and low-income households.  Simply put, our country has done a bad job of looking out for and creating opportunity for everyone.  We need to better understand the unique needs of communities across the United States and show up, listen, and make the right investments and decisions to regain trust.  Impact is most effective and sustainable when it’s local. Here in

Lifting and Holding Up Heaven: Women’s and Men’s Work in the World 

It is a fundamental tenet of Kawaida philosophy that practice proves and makes possible everything, that is to say, practice brings it into being, makes it real, relevant and worthy of the name and quality it claims, whether it is love or life, parenting or peace, teaching or learning, art or ethics, science, religion or righteous resistance.  

The Urgency of Now – A Reflection on African American History Month 

What time is it? It’s time to re-engage the fierce urgency of now and continue pressing forward on the issues of the day. It is time to stay involved, focused, and intentional in preventing voter suppression. It is time for truth telling about the heinous and abominable side of American democracy. We have no time to relax.

Do You See What I See

We look at things differently. We see people, things, events and happenings all according to our own experiences. That subject has been existent hundreds, thousands of years before now. And it is a subject that causes wide controversy. Look at her! Look at him!  

Let’s Create an Infrastructure Policy that Builds Two Types of Bridges for a More Inclusive and Stronger Nation

Despite all the stresses, division, and crises of the past year, we Americans have the timely opportunity to achieve the togetherness and mutual benefits in the new year that can mark a significant turning point.  This opportunity lies within the recently passed $1.2 trillion brick-and-mortar infrastructure bill, which can help build bridges of inclusivity between mainstream construction industry businesses and small and diverse business enterprises, generate multiplicative community benefits, and serve as a replicable national model across many industries. 

Defending a Democracy in Flames

I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom. And how we can preserve it.  Our freedom is threatened. We all need to be paying attention and preparing to take action next year.  Look, I know that Christmas and New Year’s are around the corner. Millions of us are looking forward to time off work and time spent with loved ones. I can just hear people saying, “Ben, the last thing I want to think about right now is politics.” Well, let’s think bigger than that. Let’s think about freedom.  All year long, the freedom to vote has been under

We Need More Black Doctors 

African Americans know that color matters in regard to almost everything in this country. Medical care is no exception.

The Ahmaud Arbery Verdict and Victory:

Our waiting for and finally hearing the verdict in the trial of the three murderers of Ahmaud Arbery, like that with George Floyd, compelled us to ride a roller coaster of mixed emotions, from relief and rejoicing to reflection and recommitment, and always, whether evident or just below the surface, a righteous anger and sadness at the evil and injustice committed.