The First Day of School – A Fresh Start for All of Us
The first day of school is more than just an exciting milestone for children and their families, it’s one of the most important days of the year for our entire community. New shoes squeak on polished floors, backpacks are filled with sharpened pencils and big dreams, and the air hums with both excitement and a […]
Planting for the Future We Deserve
Trees don’t grow to the sky. They have a natural life cycle. If we want a forest to thrive for generations, we must continually plant new trees to grow under the canopy and eventually take the place of the aging ones. That truth holds a lesson for every community in America. No city can rely […]
Olympic Reflections: A Journey of Pride, Faith, and Unity
I must be honest, I was captivated by the Paris Olympics. But it wasn’t the glitz of the opening boat parade or the sports that I have never heard of that drew me in. What truly moved me were the stories of incredible athletes whose names I might never have known if not for their […]
October 2, 445 BC — The Wall Was Completed
Every year on October 2nd, my team and I pause to remember the story of Nehemiah. It’s not just an ancient account of walls and ruins; it’s a timeless lesson in what real leadership looks like. Nehemiah was living comfortably as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Persia. By every measure, he had a good life. […]
Lagniappe
I realize Mardi Gras isn’t one of the “big three” holidays. It doesn’t get the same cultural weight as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. But truth be told, it’s one of my favorite times of the year. And yes, part of that is the food. My king cake comes straight from Randazzo’s in New Orleans. I […]
In the Room Where It Happens: The Power of Gathering
There’s something almost magical that happens when leaders gather. It’s not just a meeting. It’s not just another conference. It’s the collision of wisdom, experience, and passion and when that happens, sparks fly. Ideas take root. Change gets ignited. The best leaders I’ve known share a common trait: they’re insatiably curious. They never stop learning. […]
Facing Storms
As leaders, how do we handle the storms that come our way? Do we face them head-on, or do we turn and run? There’s a story from the open plains of the U.S. that offers us some wisdom on this topic. Out there, you’ve got two animals, cattle and the American buffalo (or bison) that […]
A Kind Word
On a recent flight, I was reminded that sometimes the smallest gestures carry the greatest weight. No, I didn’t get an upgrade. The seat next to me wasn’t even empty. What made the trip unforgettable was something far more meaningful: a handwritten note. Pam, our flight attendant, slipped us a simple card that read, “It […]
The American Dream and the Power of Community
At the heart of the American dream is a simple, powerful belief: that our children will live better lives than we did. We call it economic mobility, the chance for the next generation to climb higher, achieve more, and fulfill the promise of a brighter future. But for far too many children born into poverty, […]
The Greatest Force for Change: A Job
I believe the greatest force for change is a job. So did Tarek al-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor who, on December 17, 2010, set himself on fire in despair over his inability to earn a living. His tragic act sparked the Arab Spring, igniting protests that toppled governments across the Middle East. His […]