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Dear Black Boy,
Dear Black Boy, I’m writing to prepare you for the world you will walk into. A world where racism and hate still exist, though they often wear a disguise. But before you let that discourage you, I want you to know there is an everlasting stream of hope, strength, and success waiting for you.
Dear Black Boy, when you step into your passion, there will be forces — some hidden behind a veil, others bold and unashamed — determined to derail your dreams. Some will smile in your face, shake your hand, and break bread with you, only for you to realize later that their inclusion was conditional, their acceptance temporary. They will acknowledge your talent but pass you by for opportunities because your presence makes them uncomfortable. You will work harder than your white friends, put in twice the effort, and still, there will be moments when it feels like it’s never enough.
But you cannot give up.
Dear Black Boy, Black men in America have always had to climb mountains with heavier burdens. A 2022 study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that Black professionals are paid about 20% less than their white colleagues in the same roles, even when experience and education are equal. Black executives make up only 3.2% of senior leadership positions in corporate America, despite Black workers making up nearly 13% of the U.S. workforce. These statistics are not just…
