One of the most important and powerful impacts of sports is in the universe of social change, particularly as it relates to diversity and civil rights. The fundamental principles that drive progress in these areas are tolerance, acceptance, and cooperation. Sports are a very effective platform through which these principles can be demonstrated. There is […]

As mentioned in my previous blog, I have written a book titled The Journey of an Old White Dude in the Age of Black Lives Matter: A Primer, which will be published in May of this year.  That begs the question, “Why did I write this book?”  I’ve asked myself that question often. I know

As a result of my ongoing work as founder and executive director of Music For Everyone, I have been thinking more critically about leadership, particularly as it applies to volunteerism and community service. Specifically, how to inspire others to take those first steps to follow their passions and in the process, change the world. Or,

I have never been much for New Years’ resolutions. Too much pressure not to break them. And in times like these, who needs that?  But 2023 will be different because 2020 – 2022 has been so radically different. A worldwide pandemic that required strict isolation. I didn’t see that coming. Then, the racial reckoning in

“The old law of an eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind.” Martin Luther King, Jr. In today’s super charged, divided political environment, we often demonize those who don’t agree with us. I recently read an article about Thurgood Marshall that forced me to rethink my inclination to occasionally do the same. Marshall was a

“Race is the child of racism, not the father.” Ta-Nehisi Coates According to Merriam-Webster (Merriam-Webster.com), a “social construct” is “an idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society.” In other words, they are shared ideas or perceptions that exist only because people in a group or society choose to accept

“We would like to get to a point in our society where people really are color blind and this message would not have to be told anymore. Unfortunately, we’re not there yet.” Harry Connick, Jr. How often have you heard someone claim to be “color blind”? I’ve always been uncomfortable with this notion. While the

“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” – Cesar Chavez Cornel West is one of America’s most influential and provocative philosophers, political activists, social critics and intellectuals. The grandson of a Baptist minister, West focuses on the role of race, gender and class in American society. My introduction

Jazz, blues and basketball are very similar in feel, vibe, attitude and practice. To start, they are all Black dominated cultures. They also require ongoing communication and cooperation among team mates and band mates as both players and musicians are literally making things up as they go. While there is structure that provides some guidelines

The impact of our Songs For Justice project on MFE as a whole has been transformational. It has introduced us to a much wider and more diverse community from which to draw upon as we move forward as an organization. Similar to a gumbo, the additional new and diverse people (“spices”) we’ve added to our