Category Archives: Life

A Life Worth Living

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a retirement celebration for the outgoing President of Oakton Community College, Dr. Margaret B. Lee. Peg, as she is affectionately known by all, is retiring after 20 years as college president, and 30 years total at Oakton. I could spend this post raving all about whoContinue reading “A Life Worth Living”

Evidence of Things Unseen

Colleges Campuses Are Full Of Subtle Racism And Sexism, Study Says. First, way to go Missouri for trying to own your stuff and respond appropriately. This is a good read, and more evidence of problems across the academy. I don’t expect my colleagues who are part of the dominant culture (however that manifests in yourContinue reading “Evidence of Things Unseen”

Cards, Kwanzaa, and Life Lessons

Habari gani!? Inspired by the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa, I felt it timely to write this post. It captures of the best of what my people have taught me, and how I want to teach others. Every year during Thanksgiving, the Wilson’s (my mother’s side of the family) come together for fun, fellowship, and aContinue reading “Cards, Kwanzaa, and Life Lessons”

Grace

I’ve commented a few times recently via social media how amazing critical colleagues are. These are people who will challenge you, call you out, help you grow and learn in very authentic ways. One such college, who works in Pennsylvania and co-facilitates with me at various leadership conferences across the country, engaged me in great reflectionContinue reading “Grace”

Real Fear

I share this very personal message from a place of fear because we all know fear on some level. Women know fear from just being women. Surrounded by men in a male-centric world where “rape culture” is actually a thing. Think about that – we have something called rape culture. Men, White folks and othersContinue reading “Real Fear”

Solitude vs. Loneliness

I don’t know this young scholar all that well, but social media has a way of blessing us at the most unexpected times. His words traveled across the ocean to fall on my heart at a time I really needed to read it. His words also reminded me of gifts from two of my favorite authors,Continue reading “Solitude vs. Loneliness”

What Happened to My Piece?

A few hours into my experience at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (#NCORE2014) in Indianapolis, IN, I have been inspired to write this post that has long been on my heart. Back in 2008 at the University of Louisville, there was a pretty big shift about to take place within a long-standing officeContinue reading “What Happened to My Piece?”

Understanding and Managing Privilege

In my work, discussions of privilege and power come up a lot – and actually should come up more. Talking about privilege and power is not meant for trivial coffee conversations either. It is a matter that impacts us every day of our lives, no matter your many social identities. When I find resources thatContinue reading “Understanding and Managing Privilege”

We Should All Be So Bold

Watch the world’s best perform. The best anything, athlete, musician, educator, scientist. You can turn your TV on right now and see the world’s best doing what they love. It’s not just the physicality of what they do, though that is remarkable. But watch their faces. Watch how their very souls come out in theContinue reading “We Should All Be So Bold”