Way Too Much Fun: Career and Life Reflections

Words fail to convey how much I love the life of an Academic!! It “Fills holes in my Soul.” The “Job” rarely feels like WORK or compensated drudgery. Instead, it is a blessed life calling with immeasurable satisfaction, purpose, and joie de vivre. It has been immensely gratifying, but not always a “Crystal Stair,” given anti-Black racism, disappointments, obstacles, insults, and attempts to undermine Black opportunities and success. Black community provided “magic pills,” of high self- esteem, empowerment, and traditions facilitating successful encounters with people, ideas, and engagement “Beyond the Veil.” I am an “Affirmative Action Baby”; equal opportunity programs opened doors and provided essential financial support from college through graduate school into the professorate. I have been sustained and strengthened by a mostly Black network of family, friends, and colleagues for over 50 years. I have engaged in research to “Tell our own stories,” teaching to “Raise the next generation of servant leaders,” and public advocacy to “Advance Social Justice.” This biographical sketch uses a jazz motif to share “My Truth,” not “The Truth.” It is a considered reflection on my intersecting life, career, and personal journeys. Thankfully, I continue to “Have Way Too Much Fun and Success!!”