Invictus

Out of the night that covers me

Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thnk whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

-- William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) written in 1875 published in 1888 by English poet of the Victorian era.

Reportedly, this was Nelson Mandela's favorite poem, which he recited each day during his confinement on Robben Island.  LSJ was honored to visit Mandela's cell during a visit to South Africa; tremendously moving.

The poem was mentioned June 4, 2020 by David C. Banks, President + CEO of The Eagle Academy Foundation during a Beyond the Classroom: Resources and Support for Virtual Learning Town Hall (K-12 and higher ed) sponsored by the New York Urban League.

All of Banks’ students, primarily young men of color, learn this poem as they enter the academy. I invite you to share it with your circles of influence.

What’s your favorite poem or spoken word piece? Post to @lsjnow with your name and social handle so others may be inspired.

#RIA: Racism in America

While coronavirus rightly captured our attention for the bulk of spring, the wrongs of American racism rise in the heat of summer 2020.

Political pundits, columnists and professional organizations and eagerly weigh in. Yet I wonder how the conversation would change if the world was open and most pundits and columnists were departing for vacation.

One thing’s for sure. You can’t escape the in-you-face marches or the bended knee on George Floyd’s neck—reminiscent of a modern day lynching.

Murders by police are more common in the African-American community; the unfortunate statistics are brutal and now available from a wide range of sources.

People are paying attention, but for how long? It’s up to all of us to keep pressure on elected officials, the judicial system and corporate America.

As a writer - educator - entrepreneur, I’ve heard 40+ years of statements and professional communicators and media channels rising up in support. But will they still be around to do the hard work once the cameras are gone?

What am I going to do in this season of change? 

I will …

1. Launch Life Skills Journey, a series of workshops to help young people and families navigate the 3Es - education, employment and entrepreneurship.

2. Continue to share substantive info among my circles of influence (colleagues, corporate executives, college students, youth, community leaders, educators, etc.)

3. Be even more vocal in the right spaces; speak truth to power and maintain silence among insincere audiences. We must understand who our true allies are; aka: when people show you who they are, believe them (everyone is not your friend).

I’ve learned all conversations are not productive. That said, during this season of support (60+) I recommit to lend my time, talent and voice to significant causes that empower my community (translation: people of color, and others). It's the only way. Stop thinking the government or your employer will save you, because they won't. 

Young or old, work to be resourceful and develop multiple revenue streams. Yes, even during a pandemic and civil strife.

What’s your plan?

Let’s turn #RIA (Racism in America) into a real #SAVEYOURCOMMUNITY movement before it’s too late. Hoping for change won’t make it happen. Step forward and continue to make action happen--long after the June marches.

Communications Lessons from Covid-19

A version of this post was forwarded to PR News as part of it’s Covid-19 communications survey.

Q: As a marketing communications strategist, what have you learned about internal or external communications from the pandemic and will any of it be relevant after the pandemic?

A: Everyone’s weighing in. Colleagues in public relations, advertising and academia. As I reflect on this important topic, I ponder the role of relevancy in today’s world, particularly the relevance of African Americans during our nation’s current health and human rights crises.

All information revealed as a result of the pandemic can be relevant, depending on the sender, channel and receiver. In these uncertain times, it’s vital all audiences learn to 1) consider the source 2) read and research a wide range of media and 3) think critically to determine what’s wrong and what’s right (aka - don’t always believe the party line or accept what’s force fed by mainstream outlets).

Internal: My company’s communications has remained consistent; we share insight and information to enhance clients' knowledge so they can make wise decisions to drive business forward.

On the client side, internal comms responsibilities have likely expanded. In today’s world, corporate leaders are challenged to deal with revenue reduction (or evaporation), keep employees and customers informed, often while managing a shrinking staff and deploying social distancing measures. And, those among the WFH (work from home) brigade with school age children or elder care responsibilities have multiple issues to balance.

Workplace communicators and HR teams often offer solutions by way of employee benefits, including counseling services to keep employees on an even keel so they can contribute. A few PR associates’ practices are flourishing as a result of expanded services offered through insurance companies.

External: While news organizations have contracted, there’s definitely relevant news to acquire or share—if people are armed with skills to secure information from a vast array of sources, including but not limited to social media.

We have a unique opportunity to expand communications from the product and service arenas to effective cause marketing. Now is the time.

On the corporate side, we see coronavirus messages about how America can get back to normal. Yet communities are hurting; lives and livelihoods have been lost.

There are opportunities to be part of the solution, and use cause related marketing as a tool to stimulate powerful conversations on the road to change. The jury’s still out regarding how corporate America will step forward. This will be even more challenging due to the economic downturn in the midst of Covid-19.

Point in case: When we examine social justice issues following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Treyvon Martin, Michael Griffith (among thousands), it will be interesting to see which companies have the moral fortitude to address racism -- yes racism -- as part of their mission as corporate patriots.

As we attempt to PAUSE societal ills, police and government will need help. It's our role as communicators to offer real assistance in our roles as counselors, consumers and American citizens.

Will we step up and be the real influencers in society? That’s the question.