This week’s theme is confidence opens doors. It’s a phrase I don’t just like, I live by it, and I teach it every day in my classroom. As a communication instructor at a community college in Charlotte, NC, I spend a lot of time helping students feel more capable when they present. And here’s what I’ve learned: confidence isn’t something you either “have” or “don’t have.” Confidence is something you build, especially through practice, preparation, and the way you carry yourself

Last night, I read a powerful story from Emotional Intelligence 2.0 about a surfer who faced a shark and chose calm over panic, escaping danger. This reminded me how fear limits us in life, not just in danger. At an AI conference, I noticed professors’ fear of the unknown, worried about AI’s impact on education. While their concerns are valid, fear can block innovation. Remember, fear is human, but courage has the final word.

There is treasure in some things and in people who are perceived as unvalued. In memory of my father, I was reminded that a person’s junk...

A Sunday conversation with a friend led to a powerful truth: our minds, like TikTok, reflect what we focus on. Just as we train our bodies, we must also train our minds—filtering thoughts, challenging negativity, and choosing what serves us well. The right mindset can reshape our lives. Read the full blog now.

I love the sight of mountains. A few years ago, I traveled to Alabama to see my friend graduate from her master’s program. Upon my...

Weekly after work, I spend time at the nearest coffee shop. The black-owned coffee shop houses a collection of archives that tells the...