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Introduction and Overview

Why This Book Was Written

Polarization and conflict across and within groups is often rooted in misunderstandings, miscommunication, bias, and the collision of different worldviews. These cognitive and social drivers lead to mistrust and behaviors that would shock and surprise many. Examples of interactions in which individuals are offended or harmed verbally or physically have been pervasive in the media. Yet those unaffected often question their veracity.

This book will shine a light on group dynamics (organizational and societal) that contribute to polarization and the erosion of cross-cultural interactions. I will leverage the power of storytelling with the intent to appeal to both your head and your heart. While many readers may be dismayed with the sobering reality that surrounds interactions across demographic groups, it is my intent to raise general awareness and provide tools that individuals and organizations can use to move forward.

I am writing this book in 2023. This time is one in which it seems America can barely catch its breath. The changes our society has been and lived through in the last five years have been exhausting. We have experienced a pandemic, staggering changes in legislation, natural disasters including wildfires and destructive hurricanes, global warming, and other destabilizing events. One might think that many of these horrific and unpredicted events would unite us as a people, as a society. They have, to some extent as we search for applicable remedies. But during this same time, we have heard of just as many inhumane acts perpetrated by individuals. There have been mass shootings (almost daily), hate-based assaults, and xenophobic reactions to immigration policies.

While there appear to be a proliferation of incidents that cause divisiveness within society and within organizations, many of these are rebirths of issues from the past. They are more prevalent now given the almost real-time exposure we have via social media. Would we even know about the murder of George Floyd had it not been recorded on the cell phone of a 17-year-old female African American, our Rosa Parks of today. This technology was not available to capture the many lynchings, human trafficking, and hate crimes from the past—crimes like the despicable torture and murder of Emmett Till. And for every Emmett Till, there are probably numerous others whose stories were never told. On the one hand, our survival and push for social justice after these events speaks to the strength of the human spirit. On the other hand, the fear and hatred that motivates these tragic acts speaks to our civilization's frailty and opportunity to grow.

I am highlighting these egregious acts and violation of human rights within our society for their shock value. Yes, I said it—for their shock value—as I believe, as Benjamin Franklin so vehemently expressed, “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” For many, these acts are not shocking; for those to whom they are, my goal is to raise awareness, stir emotions, and sound the trumpet for empathy and action. This, in my experience, is the critical pathway for change. Our capacity to advocate for social justice has implications for the workplace. We spend one-third of our lives in the workplace, and what happens outside of it has a significant impact on the state of mind we bring to work.

We need courageous and competent champions in both the public and corporate domain to speak out against social injustices and leverage their resources and their base to create change. We can reflect upon and take a lesson from the many champions that came forward over the course of our nation's history. As an example, this year (2023) marks the 60-year anniversary of the March on Washington, in which more than a quarter million individuals, from all races and ethnicities, flocked to the nation's capital to take a stand for jobs and freedom. There they witnessed the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. making his famous “I have a Dream” speech. Dr. King was a pivotal champion of civil rights, but not the first and certainly not the last. “Harriet Tubman led so that Rosa Parks could sit, so that Martin Luther could walk, so that Barack Obama could run, and so that Ketanji Brown Jackson could rule.”

About Me

My hope is that you as a reader will benefit from the blended, inclusive, and diverse background that I bring to this book. As a senior executive, I can share my insights on the conversations and expectations of leadership as well as the hurdles I have had to navigate to make it to this echelon. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, I have become well entrenched in identifying and applying numerous frameworks, strategies, and tools that have had an impact in shaping an organization's culture into one that is inclusive, promotes equity, and values continuous improvement. I have leveraged this skill, along with my insights and strategic networks, to reengineer and turn around underperforming business units and organizations within the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

I have over 30 years of professional experience and am recognized internationally for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. In the course of my work, I have traveled extensively in several countries, giving me the opportunity to immerse myself in cultures different than the United States. I've noticed where there are stark differences in expectations and customs, and where we align. In every country I've traveled to, I've noted leading practices we can glean from as well as opportunities for growth. I am humbled by how vast our world is and that there's always something new to learn.

I was given the nickname “Mr. Red Carpet” by a colleague as I have grown an expansive network and run into people whom I know, or who know me. Everywhere I go, many have asked, “Who are you?” and “How do you know so many people?” This has enabled me access to many exclusive venues. I say all of this not to brag, but to share that I did not grow up with the privilege that many of my White colleagues have. I have earned a seat at the table through my competence, my diligence in nurturing relationships, by being authentic, by demonstrating curiosity, and through a willingness to learn from those with a different point of view. I believe it's the power of our worldviews that shapes our beliefs and our behaviors.

I mention my vast circle of mentors and teachers in the Acknowledgments section of this book, where I honor their positions and accomplishments. This group includes John W. Rogers, Jr., Mellody Hobson, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Mrs. Xernona Clayton Brady, James H. Lowry, Bishop Lawrence J. London, Bishop Arthur M. Brazier, and Juanita Brown. The list of individuals only scratches the surface of those who have influenced my life positively. I appreciate their love, care, time, and wisdom, and that all these individuals subscribed to the philosophy “Each one, teach one.” These relationships introduced me to, and reinforced for me, the impact of demonstrating compassion.

I am a family man. My wife and daughter (a recent college graduate from HBCU Hampton University) are my motivation for getting up every morning and navigating the unstable waters of corporate America. They are also my anchors and they keep me grounded, lest I get too intoxicated by all my accomplishments. And trust me, we all need these anchors.

I have been very active in the community and have sat on and led many nonprofit boards, including the Chicago Urban League and chairman of the board for the Black Ensemble Theater. My values align with the vision and mission of the community organizations in which I participate. These missions range from advocating for arts and culture to eradicating systemic racism.

As a Black man living in America, I can share my more than 60 years of lived experience in a historically marginalized group and all the rage, fear, hope, and joy that comes with that. Although I currently reside in Chicago, I was born and raised in Detroit, just blocks away from Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. Detroit is famous for its distinctive Motown music sound from the 1960s. Long known as the automobile capital of the world, Detroit is home to a rich mix of people from various ethnic backgrounds, including citizens of Italian, English, German, Polish, Irish, Mexican, Middle Eastern, African, and Greek descent.

At a very young age I had to learn how to navigate through cultural differences, being the only Black child in the classroom of all White teachers and students. My classmates often mistook me as having Indian heritage and would constantly taunt me, yelling “Go back to India!” The largest single immigrant group in metro Detroit comes from India. Of the 41,000 people of Indian heritage living in the region's four main counties, about half live in Oakland County, with 11,000 in Wayne County and the rest in Macomb and Washtenaw counties.

As an adult, I have also experienced microaggressions and blatant offenses as many of us have. What I believe is more notable is that my deep faith, perseverance, and capacity to employ self-empowerment strategies has enabled me to advance to the highest levels in both the corporate sector and in the community.

My pathway to leadership was not a traditional one and I will expand on this in later chapters. I have experienced both the highs and the lows associated with being an executive,...