The last few months have been a whirlwind.
Yet, I continue to show up.
This year alone, I have lost a trusted colleague, my grandfather died, and my uncle’s ALS diagnosis became public. No one would believe some of the personal 'Ls' I've taken over the first half of 2021.
Yet, I continue to show up.
I planned to celebrate my 20th year as a professional journalist on February 25, but a former colleague, Terez Paylor, was laid to rest on the same day. I just couldn’t bring myself to rejoice.
In 2015, I was a starving journalist looking for a shot at a major newspaper. Real talk. I was 42 before I realized a dream I set forth as an 18-year-old college freshman. At the time, I had never written for a daily newspaper. Ever. I applied for but did not get a position at the Kansas City Star. The rejection stung. I was ready to leave the profession altogether.
Yet, I continued to show up.
Terez was a sports reporter at the Star. He covered high school sports, Mizzou Athletics and the Kansas City Chiefs. At the time of his death in February at age 39, he worked for Yahoo Sports covering the NFL for a national publication. He was very instrumental in me staying in the business. Write something to get the top editors' attention, Terez told me.
As I have since that day, continue to show up.
My first-born son’s 28th birthday was in April. He died 12 years ago at 16. This year was difficult to toast up to his memory. A few days later, my grandfather died. I still haven't properly processed or grieved his death.
And yet, I continue to show up.
As a professional opinion writer, one of the youngest Black men in the country with that designation by the way, I receive hate mail daily. Daily. And I read them all. Why? Because I am built for this. The majority of the correspondence is the vilest shit a person could say to another, let me tell you.
Yet, here I am, continuing to show up.
In May, I gave a commencement speech to the Kansas City Central High School Class of 2021. The title: Continue to Show Up.
And that is what I plan to do...
#unbreakable
