Sankofa
“To the truth tellers and the truth seekers; to those who live honestly now and to the others who will one day; and last, but not least, to those courageous enough to love in a way that only creates freedom.” ~Michele Harper, The Beauty in Breaking
“Constructivism is a well-established theory of learning, indicating that people actively construct new knowledge by combining their experiences with what they already know. Knowledge is constructed by the learner, in their head, instead of being delivered.” ~100 Mental Models
I closed out 2020 by reading The Beauty in Breaking, Atomic Habits, and Greenlights. So far, in 2021, I’ve read Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man and Black Magic. I learned about both from Brene Brown’s podcasts Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. In the last few weeks, I’ve had people that I really respect ask me if I have begun writing “that book”—the one where I curate the quotes I’ve used over the years and tell my story in long form prose. The universe is speaking, and I’m trying to listen. This Letter to My Younger Self comes even though I still have so much life left to live, God willing. But as my college memoir served to conceptualize my first twenty-one years, these musings are meant to codify and reflect on my last ten years in the working world. It’s a way of coming to terms with who I am now…
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I walked into the office on Jan 13th, 2021 and stumbled across a Letter to My Younger Self (internal document) that shook me to the core. That morning I was still struggling to understand the meaning and ramifications of the insurrection at the White House the week before. More personally, I was rationalizing some friends’ reactions to the event. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it forced me to reassess my position in certain circles. I looked myself in the mirror. I reevaluated my place amongst my friends. I questioned how they viewed me. I questioned how they viewed people who looked like me. I was trying to make sense of where I fit into this thing called “life” that everyone pretends to have a handle on.
Over the years it’s been a constant battle between exceptionalism vs. mediocrity, outsider vs. insider, being too “white” to members of my own family and too “Black” to coworkers and classmates. I was too much of a “jock” to double major and also too “soft” to be a real man. I was too qualitative to work in finance, but too quantitative to…well nothing actually.
What I’ve come to learn is that all of those boxes fit me, but they also do not—it’s the struggle of the human condition. We often try to codify and label something that’s new to us, and pattern match to better describe what we “know to be true,” like thinking an English and Black Studies major has no business working in finance. Given that we rarely take the time to truly get to know people—we’re all too busy, we make rash decisions, letting headlines shape our thoughts, even about ourselves. Are we really too busy, or are we afraid that we could possibly be wrong? Are we lazy? Are we waiting to “go back to normal”? Is “normal” what we want? After much time spent pontificating, I arrived at: S.U.S.D.A.T—Shut Up, Sit Down, And Type (a variation of Seth Godin’s version). So, I did. And through that, I compiled a list of things that I’ve learned in the last decade: Life Hacks, Love Yourself, Play for People, Be Antifragile, Brotherhood, Legacy, Faith, Know What Game You’re Playing, Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, Smell the Roses, and Bloom Where You Are Planted.
Life Hacks: Given how “busy” everyone is, discerning what to focus on, how to curate information, and delivering complex issues in a simpler way is a true skill. Podcasts, memoirs, and conversations with others are incredible tools; continue to learn all you can, anytime you can, from all types of people. Engaging in these things allowed me to hear different perspectives, which in turn enabled me to work on myself. I was hurt years ago when an old friend essentially cut ties with me, commenting that my bad advice was the straw that broke the camel’s back. This conversation still stings. I gave the best advice I could (at the time), but the way I delivered the message (or the truth of it) must have been too hard to bear. The greatest life hack is not a hack at all; it’s actually putting in the work, as I did after that conversation. It’s the SparkNotes vs. real effort conundrum. SparkNotes may provide the overarching idea, but as I’ve experienced many times, it’s that one sentence, that others may miss that will change your life. As my friend Nick Palmer once told me, “You can’t innovate for wisdom.” Certain things can only be learned when reflected upon as opposed to knowing before having the experience. Don’t be scared to do the work because while that may not guarantee success, it betters the odds, and that’s the key. No one ever knows what’s going to happen next, so as Howard Marks keenly noted, “We can’t predict, but we can prepare. Stay in the game.” Lean in and put the time in to access all the things you desire. The life hacks and cheat codes may get you to your destination quicker, but speed isn’t always as important as velocity. Often, I’ve missed seminal moments through not realizing that.
Love Yourself: My Auntie Steph recently said, “put your own mask on”. And I don’t mean to confuse the metaphor with “face masks” given COVID is still rampant. I’m referring to self-love. There have been countless times where I’ve helped others at the expense of my own well-being. I need time to think, to turn everything off, just be with myself and grapple with my thoughts. The “something” in doing nothing is facing myself, realizing that I can only love others when I love myself. I’ve long shifted that “victim mentality” notion into dealing with the world as it is, not solely as I want it to be. No one is coming to save me. Said another way, tough love can be a form of self-love, calling myself out on my self-deprecation and instead tapping into that kind of self-mentoring space.
I’m also aware of the privilege and blessing it is for me to self-reflect and express myself. My mom sent me to Hackley, “the best decision I didn’t make”, then I went to a top Liberal Arts school and have worked in finance for the last decade. While none of it was easy, I try to limit my complaining; I see all the sickness, disease, and pain in the world; my issues tend to pale in comparison to even what my mom endured to enable me to be where I am.
I remember when Drake first dropped From Time. I was besotted with the lyrics, “You give, but you cannot take love.” Fit me to a tee. I grew up around men who provided, and a single mom who did it all. As a benefit or consequence, I have long been more comfortable helping others and giving love, as opposed to taking care of myself or enabling others to show me love. In the last few years alone, I’ve been blessed to be a best man, officiate a wedding, perform readings at a few others, and most recently, be asked to be a godfather to a friend’s first son, Henry. Through these blessings, I’ve realized that I suck at accepting love, at being confident that I am enough, that I am worthy, or that I deserve it. Maybe it’s my own insecurity, or the need to feel like I’m doing something exceptional in order to fulfill that masculine provider narrative I’ve borne witness to throughout my life. Nonetheless, I’m slowing down, thanking the Lord for each incredible blessing that my friends have entrusted me with. I’m still working on being a better receiver – now, I willingly accept my brokenness. I’ve got a lot of work to do to be the man I hope to become, but I know it’s a give and take. To quote another lyric from Drake’s From Time, “I look around the peers that surround me, these [people] tripping / I like when money makes a difference but don’t make you different / Started realizing a couple places I could take it…And influence a generation that’s lacking in patience…”
Speaking of receiving, during my junior spring in May 2010, wide receiver coach Nick LaFontaine gifted me Barack Obama’s memoir Dreams From My Father, accompanied with a card that read: “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” I let that sit. I then asked a few people; “I’d run for President” or “I’d play the lotto!” Five months later, I stood up in front of the entire football team at the end of our last practice, a senior ritual, and affirmatively answered that question, stating: “Trust myself and fall in love.” I still struggle with trusting myself, but by first putting “my own mask on” I’m getting a little closer. Looking inward has allowed me to make space for others. Trusting myself and self-love are interconnected because life has undoubtedly thrown adversity my way, but the strength is built in loving myself through the pain. I haven’t always made the right decision, but the trust informs the action and the intention. The falling in love part, you can talk to Lindsey about …
Play for People [22]: I’ve never been the smartest in the room, or the most athletic, but the relationships I’ve formed have allowed me access to information and experiences; I’ve shown my hunger to learn. As a mentor recently shared with me: “Unique relationships get unique things done.” Three quick anecdotes about playing for people: Joe Anastasio, Jack Moore, and Andrew Dorogi.
Joey A is my boy. We argue often and about everything, from politics to music. When I began my career, Joe was a sales trader on a different desk, but I always knew who he was: the loud, New Jersian who always talked about his notorious days wrestling in college. Over the years we’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve grown pretty close in the last few. He still says that I was mean to him when we were on the same team. I probably was, but it’s because I was intimidated. Our relationship hit an inflection point a couple months ago when I was visiting a different friend in New Jersey but spent the night at Joe’s. I showed up, two bags of White Castle in my hand. We sat at his dining room table with his mom, wife, and two beautiful kids. It was a special moment because, as much as we argue, when someone opens their home to you, the relationship expands. We hung out the rest of the night and had a slumber party in the basement. It sounds corny, but to be able to learn the business from Joe, see him interact with his family, and even fight with him shows how dynamic our friendship is. He forces me to see my blind spots. I hope that I do the same for him.
Jack Moore: Jack is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Harpswell Capital Advisors. More importantly, he was the first person in the working world to tell me that I was smart. I must have been two or three years into the business, still struggling to figure out who I was on the trading floor when I picked up the phone in late December. The woman who I was backing up was out of the office—Jack was on the other side of the phone. I don’t remember how the conversation began, but I do remember him asking, “What’s next for you?” I was stupefied; I didn’t understand what he was asking. He told me that I was a smart, hungry kid that went to Amherst College; he didn’t think sales trading was my final destination. I hadn’t even considered a different destination. But Jack, a client, telling me that I was smart made me feel great. I didn’t realize how badly I needed to hear it. I had spent the first few years doubting my own abilities after failing my series test, leading me to overcompensate in addition to rushing my maturation. Jack’s words provided a salve to help me get closer to myself. Our relationship grew over time, and I still talk to him today. Our most recent conversation was about a book I suggested he read: Black Magic. He continues to be a mentor, going above and beyond his duties, making intros to capital allocators which is accretive to my career. All because I happened to pick up the phone that one day…you never know.
Andrew Dorogi: On March 19th, 2018, I received a text message from my high school English teacher, Dr. Boehnen, to say that Andrew Dorogi, a current Amherst football player and beloved alumnus of the school he then taught at, the University School, had passed away. Mind you, Dr. Boehnen is the reason I chose to major in English at Amherst. After reaching out to a few students, I learned more about Dorogi; about the kind of person he was, his infectious smile, his ability to bring people together, whether athlete or non-athlete; and most of all, his resilience. When I looked at Dorogi’s photo on the Amherst football webpage, what I noticed after his big smile was his jersey number, #22—the number I wore my senior year. I chose to wear #22 because of the men who wore it before me, Eric NeSmith and Vinny DiForte; men that I admire to this day. #22 was my number, it was their number, and it was Dorogi’s number. I often talk about the power of sports, but it’s really the power of people. And the power of people is that when we come together, love one another, and proceed toward a common goal, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. In moments of collective love, we are true athletes. Shoutout to all the men who donned #22 since 2002: Andrew Dorogi (‘17), Tyler Mordas (‘14, ‘15), Steve Jellison (‘12, ‘13), Jimmy Clark (‘11), Sean Legister (‘10), Vinny DiForte (‘09), Eric NeSmith (‘06-‘08), Dom Cama (‘03-‘05), and Jeremy Carroll (‘02).
Be Antifragile: When I wrote my letter to business school (spoiler alert: I didn’t even get an interview), I talked a lot about resilience. It was a trait that I’ve been blessed to develop. As I’ve grown, I’ve seen the evolution of that attribute. I now aim to be antifragile rather than resilient. As defined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder, “Some things benefit from shocks; they thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, randomness, disorder, and stressors and love adventure, risk, and uncertainty. Yet, in spite of the ubiquity of the phenomenon, there is no word for the exact opposite of fragile. Let us call it antifragile. Antifragility is beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; the antifragile gets better. This property is behind everything that has changed with time: evolution, culture, ideas, revolutions, political systems, technological innovation, cultural and economic success, corporate survival, good recipes (say, chicken soup or steak tartare with a drop of cognac), the rise of cities, cultures, legal systems, equatorial forests, bacterial resistance … even our own existence as a species on this planet. And antifragility determines the boundary between what is living and organic (or complex), say, the human body, and what is inert, say, a physical object like the stapler on your desk…The antifragile loves randomness and uncertainty, which also means— crucially—a love of errors, a certain class of errors. Antifragility has a singular property of allowing us to deal with the unknown, to do things without understanding them— and do them well. Let me be more aggressive: we are largely better at doing than we are at thinking, thanks to antifragility. I’d rather be dumb and antifragile than extremely smart and fragile, any time.” This idea of antifragility is something I always wanted to but struggled to articulate; and Taleb so brilliantly defines it right there. Whether it’s in bench pressing 315lbs, then 335lbs, or running a half-marathon, or even trying to learn new parts of finance, I remember that growth comes through tearing down what is already in place to have it return in a stronger form. Many people strive for a certain level or stature and then plateau. Brother Barnes gave me an anecdote of a time where a man asked him how he arrived at a certain COO event. His answer was: “The question you should be asking me isn’t how I got here, but how did I stay here?” I always remember that; the wolf on the hill is not as hungry as the wolf climbing the hill. Or as Jeff Bezos says, “It is always Day 1.”
Brotherhood: A friend who’s going through a tough time recently mentioned the difficulty he’s had in finding solid male friends. I’m glad I was able to emotionally support him, as he has long done for me—he and his family supported mine when my mom had breast cancer. The more I contemplated the truth of his statement, the more I peeled back the layers of why. Masculinity is an amorphous term, but it’s often portrayed by brute strength, providing financially rather than emotionally, aggression, and suppressing feelings. Despite this, I’ll always fondly remember my trip to Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend 2019; it was my friend’s bachelor party. The best part was the second to last night; just six dudes sitting in front of a fire, talking. The entire trip, we bonded in traditionally masculine ways; we played golf, lifted, jacuzzied, and chilled. But that night was different. We sat around the campfire and shed some veils. I discussed the difficulties competing in areas (Amherst College / Wall Street) where I was a first timer going against people who either knew the game or had the cultural capital to more easily navigate the arena. While that’s a story I’m used to telling, it was fascinating to hear wealthy white friends, acknowledging the pressure of always needing to have an answer and living up to the perceived expectations placed on them, and facing the reality that they may not have earned some of what they were benefiting from. Even as I write this, I realize the limitation in my inability to precisely articulate all that was discussed that evening. But the intimacy of that conversation was unforgettable. The truth remains; it was in having these male friends to shed our tough facades in front of, cry with, and talk about real shit that made it all the more memorable.
Know What Game You’re Playing (Play the Game on the Field): These are two different things, both vitally important to each other. I remember when Nick Palmer first introduced me to Morgan Housel’s work. I’ve been hooked ever since. In one of his most recent pieces, Housel wrote: “Investors play different games. GameStop at $400 a share makes no sense if you’re a long-term investor. But if you’re a day trader betting it will go to $401 in the next hour, it might be a great buy. A lot of financial debates don’t reflect people actually disagreeing with each other, but people playing different games talking over each other.” Deftly written. I often struggled with comparing where I was on my journey to where someone else with different goals and views was on theirs. How do I get to a place where I know what I want? I’ve iterated, continuously. I’ve written down my True North (kinda), and I work to become a better version of myself each day. It’s key to ensure that the important things: relationships, opportunities, money, etc. compound. Everyone’s looking for the panacea, or the silver bullet. I’m just out here trying to put in the work. And it’s hard. One of my inspirations? The Rock. He’s not selling a “get rich quick potion”, he’s posting about the work he does daily. It’s about committing to a lifestyle and knowing what you want. This is also why I think the subscription business model is brilliant. It’s essentially daring the customer to do what they say or signed up to do. The only way to get the max benefit is to perform the task consistently. Good luck.
Legacy: I remember my friend, Daniel Omachanu, telling me years ago about a thought he was grappling with: “Do you want to make a living or a legacy?” I’ve hung onto those words ever since. I think about how people invest so much in the future. We often think of that as a novel act—we all strive to create something that will outlive us on this planet earth. People understand and no one bats an eye. Generational wealth is held in high esteem, and it’s something even I hope to achieve for my kids. Yet, ironically, when the topic of slavery (and its remnants) comes up, people deny its lasting impact. To some people, the fact that we’d still be living with its consequences seems outrageous. It all comes down to perspective, and one’s willingness to challenge the way he or she thinks. At this point it’s not because you’re good or I’m bad, or vice versa, but that being open to different perspectives allows us to show empathy. Which brings me back to legacy. At the end of Tim Ferriss’ podcast shows, one of the questions he often asks is, “What do you want people to say about you when you’re 90?” My answer: “[I want people to say] Sean saw me. Sean heard me.” My job is to show people grace, to enable people to be exactly who they want to be. My job is to pass the baton.
Pray / Faith: Trust Him. I’ve put this quote in the MML multiple times, but it’s hitting me especially right now; “God found Gideon in a hole. He found Joseph in a prison. He found Daniel in a lion’s den. He has a curious habit of showing up in the midst of trouble, not the absence. Where the world sees failure, God sees the future. Next time you feel unqualified to be used by God, remember this: He tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal.” ~Jon Acuff. This always pierces me. I need to give myself time to grow and develop, to fail, to have broken relationships, to work on my tone, to cry. Nothing happens overnight. I have to trust that I am worthy wherever I am in life, because I am who He says I am, not who the world says I am! It’s been a struggle, but I’m open about my faith walk. I remember a conversation with an old friend Oki. At one point he stopped, smiled, and said, “You’re God’s boy.” I still believe that’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. But deep down, that relationship with God is something that I had struggled with throughout my coming of age. I’ve written about it in previous blog posts, but to sum it up: “I pray for vision, I pray for wisdom / I pray for weapons against the system / I pray for freedom to free the victims / To heal the brain, no pain inflict ‘em / I pray for real, I pray for real / I talk to God then wait for real…” ~Peter CottonTale ft. Chance The Rapper, Pray for Real.
Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Uncle Mike (Bradley) dropped this line on me years ago. I didn’t really get it at first, but I never forgot it. I’ve heard it many times since, and I always think of Mike. I’ve even had it thrown in my face by people who claim that I like to live in the gray area. Yet I smile, because I know that I’m not afraid to have those uncomfortable conversations. I’ve spent a lot of time on myself, knowing that I’m the furthest thing from perfect, like everyone I know (Drake voice). But I’ve also realized that like many, I’m a good judge of other’s actions, while being a lawyer of my own. That doesn’t make me holier than thou, but I know that my shit does in fact stink. So, address it, head on. And then move on. Sankofa.
I first met Mike Bradley during a dinner at Amherst College over a decade ago. Uncle Mike was an English major at Amherst before becoming a teacher. He then took a position at Teradyne, Inc. where he had an illustrious career that began in 1979, growing the company and eventually becoming the CEO and President. Mike was there that day to share his thoughts on a lifetime of work; not on his accomplishments, but on how his early life shaped his approach to his adult life and his professional commitment. The speech he gave that night was powerful, providing sound insight to the few students that were in attendance. I was trying so hard to catch his every word that I missed some of the umbrella points of his speech. That of course led to a follow-up email where I asked if he could resend his list to me. He happily agreed. The list reads:
Lessons: On Getting A Job
Tell the truth. Be modest.
Relate....Discover....Advocate....Support.
Curiosity about the competition.
Company; Culture; Function; Role; Boss; Orbit; Pay.
Do not have a five or ten year plan.
Articulate who you are and how your roots (values) were formed.
Pursue a job where you get your hands dirty.
Read the news.
Show you’re genuinely fired-up about something.
Consider working for a company that actually creates a physical product.
Lessons: On Working
Take personal responsibility for the reputation of the company.
Stay uncomfortable......(accelerated learning plus foundation of teamwork).
Gravitate to big problem areas.
Practice synthesis every day.
Think from the perspective of your boss.
Meet with dissatisfied customers....no matter what your business is.
Knowledge power is greater than position power.
Listen to the debate.
Leave if there are no longer big problems to tackle.
Honor your parents by how you work.
I still revel every time I reread that email. The two most important points when I first read it (taking one from each list) were: “relate…discover...advocate…and support” and “stay uncomfortable.” Both have led me to exit my comfort zone and elevate to new heights; again, challenging myself and my long-held assumptions as I become a better me.
Smell the Roses (Breakfast Bites): I never thought Breakfast Bites would become what it has or touch so many people. It has fueled me to continue to find ways to give back. Late February made a year since this dropped, but it’s still all about the journey. I’m now reminded of a text I received from my same friend, Oki, last year: “Bro, I hope you stop and smell the roses every now and then. Like look at what you’ve done. I still remember the first Breakfast Bites and people basically saying what’s the point of doing this. Fast forward to [certain people] saying thank you for allowing me to speak. And [various] people dialing in and being consistent. And getting external speakers too. Like damn bro. If nothing else just stop and smell that…. You’re walking the walk bro. Not trying to expand your head but think about how many other people this thing has and will continue to open doors for. Smell the roses.” Even rereading that gave me chills—it’s truly not about me. It’s about using my access and proximity to power to enable others to shine their light. Lighting your candle doesn’t extinguish my candle. Or again, as Brother Barnes taught me: “Your successes don’t equal my failures.”
Bloom Where You Are Planted (MML): When I was looking for an inspirational pick me up in 2009, I couldn’t fathom that over a decade later, I’d still be curating those emails. The MML has been the most consistent endeavor in my adult life. It has provided me an opportunity to show discipline, creativity, and persistence. Yet, what it has reinforced most consistently is the power of relationships.
After my recent donation to Hackley, my high school, John Gannon, the Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, wrote me an email in which one part in particular resonated with me: “I was struck by a couple of themes, chief among them the power of the relationships in your life that have in many ways determined your path so far. These people have opened doors, in some cases, but it was you who had to do the heavy lifting—and you did it. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, though perhaps that’s a massive understatement.” I’m doing the work so I can hopefully ease the burden of someone else, just like my mom (and so many others) did for me. We all have problems, and each will struggle in their own ways, but hopefully by trailblazing a path, I’m making room for others to come in and use their unique skill set to take the path to the next level. The MML has allowed me to build certain relationships that have forever changed my life, and hopefully changed yours, as the reader…
Joy Soldiers: Thanks for your constant support. It was two Joy Soldiers in particular that helped me take the MML to the next level: DM & AT. Y’all introduced me to Claudia di Capua & Malu Garcia.
Claudia & Malu: I am indebted to you both for your incredible work, helping me transform the MML into something aesthetically pleasing. The social media is captivating, and we consistently get compliments! So shoutout to you CdC. The site is fire. And it the blog posts are Malu’s brainchild. I’m so grateful and blessed to have had so many people indulge me and write. At the end of last year, my brother from another mother, James, wrote: “Spent some time thinking about my MML year in review—of everything—the things that struck a chord with me most came from our boy brother Large. A testament to the fact that you’ve expanded your reach through the blog—big development this year. By amplifying others’ voices, you amplified your own—well done.” We’re all standing on the shoulders of giants, and my job is to continue to pass the baton.
Jayda & Kyla: Lastly, for now, I gotta give a special shoutout to Jayda Foote and Kyla Graham, two brilliant and beautiful Black women that help bring my writing to life! I remember asking my girlfriend Lindsey, what she thought about my potential investment in a rolling fund—a rolling fund is structured as a series of limited partnerships: at the end of each quarterly investment period, a new fund is offered on substantially the same terms, for as long as the rolling fund continues to operate. Lindsey’s first question, “Will you get to determine how many Black founders the fund invests in?” I was floored. For Lindsey, my white girlfriend, to ask that question reinforced that she sees me. It also makes me better because that was not a consideration in my potential investment in said rolling fund. Yet, that got the pistons turning in my head…I wanted to do more than just invest in a fund, but actually establish a symbiotic relationship. I reached out to Alison Fornell, a former classmate at Amherst and one of the best writers I know. I asked Alison if she had a couple students that would potentially want to help me with my writing (and the MML). In turn, I could help them navigate the financial world, or life after college. While Alison introduced me to a few of her former students, the brilliant women that opted to be a part of this journey with me were Jayda and Kyla. They haven’t yet laughed at me (openly), but they have helped me refine my thinking, sharpen my syntax, and more eloquently describe my thoughts. Thank you, ladies. This is only the beginning.
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As we were working on a few drafts of this piece, Kyla challenged me: “Is it possible to be truly authentic while operating in multiple spaces as a Black man in America? Goes back to being / seeing yourself as who God sees you as. Do people even make enough space for religion / spirituality to see each other as the Divine does?” I’m still grappling with that one, but through my musings and you and Jayda’s help with the MML, hopefully we’ll get closer to an answer, especially given a global pandemic and the racial injustice that was exacerbated in 2020 (but has plagued America since its creation). There is no panacea to ending racial inequality or getting people to love one another, but I believe it starts with what each of us does in our spheres of influence. Brick by brick.
As a class I’m taking was wrapping up last Saturday, the instructor mentioned the change formula: enough discomfort OR enough vision, with enough support = integrated change. To me, the key part in that equation is support. I thank all you readers for the support over the years, and I thank everybody that’s been along for the ride.
The man who started the MML in 2009 is not the same person writing this letter. I’ve grown, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned, I’ve loved, I’ve failed, I’ve triumphed, and I’ve done many other things. But I view this in the lens of: “I’m just bright, So fly with no fear of the flight, So if y’all hear my plight, And if you think you can make it this far without a fight. Couple mistakes here and there, Not always right, but I’m always real, That’s how I sleep at night.” ~Jay-Z, Sweet.