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#CrisisProvesCharacter: Which crisis is your motivator?

Currently, we’re living during some trying times that have had catastrophic effects on the economy and our basic way of living. However, great courage can emerge out of crisis. Now I want to think back to one of your victorious moments when God had your back. Mine was, during my freshman year of college and I received a PELL Grant towards tuition. Returning to Chicago Heights without my degree wasn’t an option and the rest is history.

#CrisisProvesCharacter: Has crisis exposed your deepest fear?

Being able to recognize what impact that your crisis is having on your quality world is crucial to you regaining control of your life. Reality therapy teaches that while we cannot control how we feel, we can control how we think and behave. Things that help me improve my way of thinking was to write things down. Take a look at the basic needs of reality therapy and try to identify the source of your fear. Is it the lack of income because your unemployed or underemployed? Are disconnected from a loved one? Is COVID-19 hampering your ability to move around the world? After that, decide what you can control, go get it with everything you got!

1) Power, or a sense of self-worth and achievement.

2) Love and belonging, or being part of a family or community of loved ones.

3) Freedom, or independence.

4) Fun, which includes a sense of satisfaction or pleasure.

5) Survival, or the comfort of knowing that one’s basic needs—food, shelter, and sex—are met.

#CrisisProvesCharacter: Did crisis try to crush your spirit?

When I set out to post daily for 30 days, I thought it would be a cakewalk since I have basically been working remotely from home, and with 1,440 minutes in a day, I just knew I was going to crush this! Well, that’s what I thought… Thomas KR Stovall, a friend of 20+ years and business coach, said that “consistency is one of the HARDEST disciplines to master” as I tell myself, “you are the MASTER!” However, literally 105,120 minutes or 73 days later, the end is finally in sight. Identifying a crisis was the easy part but then finding the words to convey how crisis proves character was not. When I missed the first day, I felt pretty bad about it but then I missed the second day, I thought to myself, nobody is really reading them anyway… With Thomas providing ground support and my wife Tiffany with moral support, I knew I needed to finish what I started. Along this journey, I have come across some amazing people and I have even cried after learning about some of their stories. Once this personal goal is complete, I will continue to seek out individuals that defy the odds, lean into tragedy, and embrace opening new doors because we are all here to be a blessing to someone else. If you have missed one of the daily dose, you can find them here at http://www.crisisprovescharacter.com/daily-dose-blog/

#CrisisProvesCharacter: Has a crisis become your crusade?

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There’s nothing more painful for a mother than the loss of her child. Trevaun Romero Holloway, 16, was an athlete and honor roll student with a 4.0-grade point average. His mother, Dawndria Murray, a former high schoolmate of mine has shown tremendous courage through this adversity. “Me and my son (were) very close and talked about any and everything … (I’m going to) miss our conversations talking about your future and what you wanted to be and how you (were going to) make me proud. Not only has Dawndria kept Trevaun’s memory alive through the TreWay Foundation, but she has also become a franchise owner-operator with Culver’s Restaurants. You can learn more about Dawndria and her story at https://www.chicagotribune.com/…/ct-sta-slowik-trevaun-rome…

#CrisisProvesCharacter: Did crisis storm into your life?
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Life happens to all of us and the most important thing is not to panic because storms don’t last. It’s critical that during the storm is to hunker down and hold on as your life depends on it. After you gather yourself and assess the damage then decide whether you will need help with the recovery or not. It will take courage to handle the storm and read more about The Defining Characteristic of Great Leaders https://hbrascend.org/…/the-defining-characteristic-of-gre…/.

#CrisisProvesCharacter: How can crisis unfilter you? (DAY 26/30)

There have not been too many moments in the history of the United States where a Black man could speak unapologetically about the African American experience without fearing white backlash and persecution in the media. Frederick Douglass, who was a social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman comes to mind in that pantheon of giants. Fast forward, to the 21st century and there are only a few that have climbed to the upper echelon of being unbought, unbossed, and unfiltered. Roland Martin, a veteran broadcaster and journalist has had his shows pulled from the likes of CNN to even Black-owned TV One but his undeterred by it since celebrating his one anniversary of #RolandMartinUnfiltered in October 2019. “Through his platform reaching over 100.7 million views and 435 million minutes consumed across the social networks of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.” Roland was an early adopter to leverage the rise of social media as a legitimate streaming outlet for news and the move has him “reaching more African American daily than anyone in the United States,” according to National Urban League President Marc H. Morial. “African Americans are tired of mainstream media ignoring the many issues impacting us on a daily basis,” said Martin. I’m definitely inspired by Roland Martin’s move and is a reminder that no one can silence the truth. You can learn more about Roland and his story at https://rolandsmartin.com/
https://www.blackenterprise.com/roland-martin-unfiltered-r…/
https://www.businesswire.com/…/RolandMartinUnfiltered-Black…

#CrisisProvesCharacter: How REAL is your community during crisis?

There’s a saying that goes “when you own something, you’ll take better care of it.” The killing of George Floyd has sparked national and international protest but it has also given way to opportunists that have vandalized and looted local businesses. It began to hit close to home on Chicago’s Southside for real estate broker Whitney Hampton. “It was really heartbreaking to see,” says Hampton, and “I had to do something.” Seeking to counter the negativity and “help the community heal, “she put out a call on social media and the village did not let her down. “There were so many from the real estate community that stopped what they were doing for the entire week to come out and help the community,” Hampton says. With 60 volunteers, 35 businesses were boarded up and she’s raised over $10,000 to assist in her efforts. In addition to that, she has delivered groceries to 300 seniors, provided items to 125 single mothers, and launched the Facebook group, CleanOut and BoardUp 2020, that has over 1,700 members. The action of Whitney has helped restore the village and she should be applauded for her commitment. You can learn more about Whitney and her story at https://magazine.realtor/…/this-is-heartbreaking-i-needed-t… or join the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/295732448132488

#CrisisProvesCharacter: Did crisis try to crumble your cookie?

It definitely goes without saying that 2020 is going to be a year to remember. Like generations before us would talk about the Great Depression, Vietnam, or the Civil Rights movement. The COVID-19 pandemic has been life-changing and has tested the resolve in most of us. Monica Olds has had her fair share of bumps in the road but she was determined not to be another casualty of this pandemic. “When COVID-19 hit I initially decided I was going to sit it out and not cook til it was over. I had plans and goals that I thought would be deferred and put on hold til next year. But God!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾 He had different plans for me and created a demand for my plates like I’ve never seen before.” Monica started her business and now is a licensed and insured caterer of Cookie’s Eats. You can learn more about Monica and check out her Father’s Day menu at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3158358240889510&set=pb.100001460964191.-2207520000..&type=3&theater.