Spending Christmas Eve in Atlanta, away from the usual family festivities, gives me a moment to pause and reflect. This quiet night is filled with gratitude for the past and anticipation for the work ahead, particularly as I set to expand on my autobiography next year—a narrative that begins with the vibrant and challenging stories of my childhood.
When I began this autobiography ten years ago at 25, my achievements—degrees, international travel, ventures in big city life, and initial forays into politics—seemed overshadowed by the uncertainties of my professional choices. Was returning to a corporate job in New York squandering my entrepreneurial dreams?
Here’s the complete excerpt from the introduction I wrote back then:
“I did what I was supposed to. Young black boy who excelled in school, got multiple degrees, traveled to foreign countries, worked in the big city, moved back home and even started my own business. I became a teacher, became a politician, and made a difference in my community too. All of this before I turned 25 years old.
But now that I’m officially 25, I still feel stuck. I was aiming to one day move my home-based business finally out of the house into the commercial property of my dreams and to soon grow worldwide. But instead, I took a good paying job in New York City (again) and now I don’t know if I made the right decision. I’m no longer a sole proprietor, I now have a full-time employer.
As I sit here experiencing a lonely New York Christmas, my first time away from family, I can’t help but ask myself many questions. Have I been praying hard enough? Can I balance New York City and still pursue my entrepreneurial goals? Am I in over my head? Did I clock out on my dream?
These are some tough questions to answer, but I’m willing to keep trying. If anybody can do it, I know I can.”
It’s almost surreal to reflect on that excerpt now, seeing how all of those intentions have indeed come to fruition. It underscores the incredible power of having a clear vision. Today, I’ve successfully moved back home, managed my corporate responsibilities remotely, and developed Make It Factory into a vital community asset. This initiative is specifically aimed at enriching downtown with a variety of creative businesses that can grow and flourish, providing a nurturing environment for local entrepreneurs and artists.
Additionally, returning to the political scene and securing a local government position has allowed me to reconnect with public service, fulfilling earlier commitments and contributing significantly to the community. This journey has not only been about achieving what I set out to do but also about overcoming the obstacles along the way, as Booker T. Washington famously said, “Success is not measured by the position one has reached in life, but by the obstacles he has overcome.”
As I continue to share these stories in my upcoming autobiography, I am reminded of a scripture that has been a bedrock of my faith through all seasons: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) This verse reinforces my belief in the power of God’s guidance and the importance of faith in navigating life’s uncertainties.
I hope my story inspires you to establish and pursue your own visions, fortified by faith and perseverance. Your dreams have the power to shape not just your own future, but also the world around you.
Stay tuned for my end-of-year post, where I’ll dive deeper into the highs and lows of the past twelve months.
Wishing everyone a reflective and empowering holiday season. Let’s move into the new year ready to embrace new challenges and seize the opportunities that await.
Leave a Reply