Crystal Clear Observations

 "We're going to issue a BLM statement." These words spoken by a company leader to a Human Resources professional sound good, right? Apparently it made people feel good and they felt they did their part in an angry world. Issue a statement on race, pacify a woke workforce and move on in business as usual mode. As a Human Resources professional, I can honestly say that I have been appalled and disappointed in the actions (or lack of) executed by my colleagues in the wake of the George Floyd verdict. Despite ethics and employment law training, I have watched so called leaders stay quiet and tap dance around critical workplace issues concerning discrimination. It's enough to make me seriously ponder a career change. I have sat on countless calls and zoom meetings where I can count the number of employees and students who look like me. I have participated in a "diversity" training where the video shown had NO ONE that looked like me. I have participated in inter

 Losing my brother Carlton in 2020 was by far the most devastating and painful thing that happened to me. Within a matter of weeks of becoming ill, my older brother was gone. Of all 5 brothers, I was closest to Carlton. Those who grew up with me and attended high school with me know the full story. While I am not ready to openly talk about that incident, Carlton's death opened a lot of painful wounds about that dreadful day in August of 1987. Luckily, reopened wounds do close again. Carlton was an amazing artist with a troubled past. His artwork became his ministry and he would not only do commissioned pieces for businesses, celebrities, politicians and dignitaries but would donate portraits to people who could not afford to pay to bring them joy. I have no doubt that his talent was God given because he truly had remarkable talent.  Despite his personal setbacks and challenges and our long periods of no communication, he still managed to be my biggest cheerleader. Our family has ne