Opinion: Transforming Florida from ‘Where Woke Goes To Die’ to ‘Where Woke Goes To Multiply’

I ate dinner at Paradis Books & Bread for the first time two weeks ago.

A group of friends, visionaries really, opened the doors to this bakery/restaurant/bar in North Miami in July 2021, after meeting in NYC and dreaming up a way to build (a safe respectful) community through the culinary, not an easy feat in our amazingly fast paced vibrant city, that doesn't easily offer quiet moments to connect. Glowing reviews followed, including being named by Esquire as one of the best bars in the country. My visit? Long overdue.

My wife, I and two friends, also first time visitors, dined on the patio, next to the urban garden, under stringed lights, at one of the mosaic picnic tables. It was a festive, relaxed vibe, with a pool game already in progress and a whole lot of animated conversation. During the two plus hours we sipped, munched and chilled, we were all treated with nothing but respect. And, trust, if some sort of discrimination were going to go down, ours, a table featuring an interracial couple and two gay men, was uniquely positioned to absorb it. Unfortunately, before we even finished our leftover pizza the next day, a whole different narrative of Paradis began to emerge. This one? Ugly and dangerous.

To be clear, I didn't witness the next day's incident, when a man of color was allegedly asked not to return to the space, based on his conversations with friends. Was it just a gross misunderstanding? Perhaps. But if so, why hightail to Fox and Friends, for a three-minute national spot that seemed less about righting wrongs and more about hard selling your book. It all just felt self-serving to me. But in a weird way, it all made complete sense. Because in my new home state of Florida, using shock value to create a name for yourself IS the playbook, especially in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging space.

Ironically, the first topic at our Paradis dinner was the Florida Department of Education's rejection of the College Board's AP African American History class. "I'm embarrassed to be a Floridian," said our friend. And if I'm incredibly honest, same. I chose to move to Miami three years ago, for many reasons, but a huge motivating factor was how my wife and I always felt welcomed here. Celebrated even. That part is still true, at least in South Florida. The harder issue for me is as an African American man with a passion to create social change, is finding myself in a state proudly described by the governor as, "Where woke goes to die." Our 'leaders?' Astoundingly committed to this motto.

In addition to last week's African American History class debacle, Florida has already done much to isolate and exclude marginalized voices under this mode of 'governance.' There's the Stop WOKE Act, limiting the ways systemic racism and sex discrimination can be addressed in schools or workplace trainings. The 'Don't Say Gay' Bill, effectively ending discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity prior to grade three in Florida schools. There's the recent memo of the governor's Policy and Budget Office requiring state colleges and universities to provide names of all staff, programs and campus activities related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Critical Race Theory, along with the amount of funding provided by the state. And that's before we even get into the blatant redistricting of Florida's congressional districts to make them more favorable to promoting this madness.

Major accomplishments? Guess so. If your objective is to win by cheating and muzzle your population. Huge victory if your aim is to invest in the future by creating an educational system of linear thinkers. Or maybe you don't really care about your constituents at all. Maybe you're just incredibly self-serving, trying to create the biggest buzz possible, to propel yourself to higher office. But here's the thing. The political system may have decided, without our input, that all Floridians are not only conservatives, but bigots. But we know that's not true. These radical conservative voices, who have chosen to define us, are just louder. So, for you, my fellow rational (and frustrated) Floridians, I've got some suggestions:

1) Embrace, support and patronize businesses like Paradis Books & Bread, who are not only willing to stand up against intolerance, but already had a written policy in place to address harm -- long before controversy visited.

2) Step up local businesses, big and small, and take Paradis B&B's lead. Address DEI issues within your organizations. Create a culture of inclusivity for both your workers and patrons. Be on the right side of history.

3) Refuse to remain silent to what you're seeing as an individual. Don’t be afraid to speak your truth whether it’s through person to person contact, social media posts or where you spend your money. You have power.

4) Educate yourself about the issues. Investigate the ideas the state is trying to ban. Absorb information from credible sources then connect with like minded people to make a difference in numbers. Push back against anything that doesn't feel authentic. Repeat.

5) Register to vote. Then vote. Every. Single. Time. All elections are important. If they weren't Florida wouldn't keep trying to make it harder (or confusing) for its citizens to exercise this fundamental civic right. If you vote by mail, renew your request today. It expired at the start of 2023. (Yeah. Another law.) Also, spread the word.

Many Florida legislators want you to think the majority of Florida residents, your neighbors, support these assaults on basic freedoms. They want you to believe your voice is not loud enough to make a difference. They want you to question the incredible collective power we have together, as a community, who wants better for our state. I believe we, the people, are so much better than this current climate. We have the power to change this pathetic narrative from 'Where Woke Goes To Die' to 'Where Woke Goes to Multiply.' Won't you join me?

Andre M. Brown is a Miami based DEI coach, consultant and founder of Racial Just Us.

#LifeCoaching As The Secret Ingredient To Ending Racism? André Brown, of Racial Just Us, Thinks So.

André M. Brown, coach, DEI consultant, trainer and founder of Racial Just Us heads out under the swaying Miami palms to speak about the power of coaching, his secret ingredient for a non-judgmental way forward in ending racism.

Lights, Camera, Action: Presenting Racial Just Us Founder André Brown

André M. Brown, coach, DEI consultant, trainer and founder of Racial Just Us heads out under the swaying Miami palms (don't hate) to speak about how he created Coaching for Community to empower 'regular' people to address racism without shame or blame.

How The Actions Of Just One Person Can End Racism

No doubt, racism is an overwhelming problem.

Systemic racism often feels big. Too big, like something we'll never be able to contain, never mind cure. Where do we even start to tackle an issue of this magnitude, especially one without any clear cut solutions? We ask ourselves, 'What could one single person do to make any kind of meaningful and lasting change anyway? And if we can't affect change, what's the point?'

At one time or another, many of us currently standing on the sidelines may have been inspired to become Black allies. Maybe we even explored the options a little bit. Checked into volunteering opportunities. Started to come up with a plan. But, something stopped us from taking the next step. Maybe we lost momentum. Maybe we got intimidated, worried that we didn't belong or wouldn't be welcome in that space with people who looked different from us. Maybe we never got started because that little voice in our head highjacked our optimism with doubts, saying that even our greatest efforts won't even matter in the end. So instead, we opt to do nothing, hoping that our thoughts and prayers will substitute for real action.

But what if we told you that the actions of just one person, say an inspiring person like you, can be the spark for an incredible amount of change. Really. There's no pressure here. You just have to commit to learning more about the anti-racism mindset. In this class of one, the first objective isn't to change the world -- it's to change your perspective. Your only goal is to begin seeing other people's experiences, not like they exist in some other universe where they don't affect you. Your aim is to understand other people's experiences like they were your own.

How? By starting super small. Maybe with some culture. A restaurant in your city or town that features the delicious home cooking of someone else's heritage. Ask about the ingredients in the recipe. Everyone loves to feed a curious person. Or start with a book. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson is a good one. Or watch a movie. When They See Us on Netflix is incredibly powerful. Observe the current events that are going on in the world right now. Ask yourself how you feel about them. Then ask yourself if you'd feel the same way if they were happening to you. Journal about what your values say about you. Decide how you want to change.

Truth is, you can stop right there. Or maybe even stop right here for now. Because you're already making changes by challenging your belief system. But, when you're ready, you might want to tap into your Spheres of Influence. You might know them already by their more informal names, like your sister, your boss or the nice lady at the bakery that always gives you the broken scone for free.

Spheres of Influence are the different areas of our lives where we may hold formal or informal power. The circles radiate out from ourselves to our family and friends to those in the greater community. And identifying them may have us realize we have even more ability to influence change than we realize. Activate just one of these areas, and we've already increased our potential of winning. Because with them, you have the power in numbers.

But it all starts with one.

What Does It Mean To Be Antiracist Anyway?

Back in the day, when we addressed racism, things seemed a little more, well, black and white. 

Either you were racist. Or you weren't. And for the most part, everyone was pretty clear on what these two polar opposites looked like. Spend your time gathering with other like minded folks who favored white hoods and terrorizing Black families with burning crosses? Conventional wisdom probably identified you as racist. Horrified by this behavior? Then probably not a racist.

Today we need more.

Welcome to the antiracism movement, which changes the definition of what it means to be an advocate. Think of it as a verb. It's a way of being. Being antiracist demands that we as individuals actively commit to eradicating racism. And, at first, this might feel a little different than what we're all used to. You might even feel attacked or defensive at first, especially if you are entrenched in the belief that: "I'm not racist." But it is important to realize that antiracism isn't accusing you of having racist beliefs. It's asking you to stop operating from the passive idea that simply not bringing more harm to people is enough to solve the problem. Instead, antiracism asks you to actively join the fight for justice, instead of standing by quietly.

Antiracism demands that we speak up. That we are active participants in the process. It means we don’t stand by when there are opportunities to address individuals or situations that get ugly, even if Grandma is the one telling the racist joke. It takes courage because at times being antiracist may make us and others around us feel uncomfortable. But that's exactly what is needed to help change the world. People's lives are often literally threatened by racism and our society’s racist structures and we need action to change things.

How can you help? First, you'll need a willingness to open your eyes to what’s going on. To educate yourself. And more importantly, to believe people when they tell you their story. To be empathetic. Being antiracist requires that we see the individuality in people and are able to treat each person as their own entity instead of viewing them as a representation of a group or stereotype. Antiracists believe all racial groups are equal regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, because this pursuit of equality leads to equity for everyone.

Antiracism is a marathon. It requires a lifelong mindset, that all of us are capable of, but it starts with the desire to commit to making the world equitable for everyone. It's time to start training.

Recommit. Today.

What happened to 2020’s racial awakening?

What happened to that massive collective outrage, expressed by the whole world, over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others? What happened to the intense frustration that seemed to defined 2020, powering us together as one diverse community, united for radical change, during a global pandemic?

What happened to the incredible diversity of humanity, who banded together to create what seemed to be an unstoppable power during an unprecedented season of marches and protests? What happened to the important messaging? The examination of diversity everywhere, from the workplace to entertainment? What happened to the TV commercials that seemed commonplace, all imploring a call to action for everyone to help forward the common causes of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)?

What happened to the intense fearless dialogues, the brave discussions of differences? What happened to the next steps solutions, the real forward movement? What happened to the billions of dollars pledged by corporations to correct racial inequities? What happened to the Black allies who finally said, 'We believe you' and promised to partner up against hate and inequity, no matter how long it takes? What happened to everyone who so stood boldly in solidarity?

Where has everyone gone, now that #BLM is no longer trending? Have we all stopped caring?

Why has the shock of watching the police murder one man on the street in 2020, already receded into history, in the same ways other atrocities of the past like slavery, public lynchings or the turmoil of the Civil Rights Era, when a 14 year old boy from Chicago was beaten to death in Mississippi and crowds of Black folks were attacked with police dogs and firehoses? Why, once again, have we moved on so easily from our outrage?

Is it because, this time, we feel like justice has been served? Do we believe that we've gotten what we've asked for and the fight is over? That Derek Chauvin has been found guilty for his truly heinous crime. Do we believe that somewhere in his 22.5 year prison sentence lies the happy ending that we were all in search of? That somehow Chauvin's punishment illustrates the power of good triumphing over evil. And somehow his sentence brings closure to an impossibly intense story? Only problem? George Floyd is still dead. And he shouldn't be.

So how do we really honor the life of George Floyd? We recommit to our anti-racism principles. Right now. Today. We recommit to the idea of doing something noble and right and important, starting within our own communities, even if we aren't sure exactly where to begin. We recommit to making a difference, even as we doubt our humble efforts can make an everlasting impact. We vow to recommit even if the work moves slowly and we're uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Today, we recommit as a powerful intention of hope, because while BLM rage is easy, what in this quieter time, when there are no loud crowds to follow, the real leaders can finally stand up.

Ready for DEI Change? Why A More Evidence Based Approach Is The (Best) Solution

According to 'Why Diversity Programs Fail' (Dobbin and Kalev), a 2016 study by the Harvard Business Review, the most popular methods of DEI training not only don't work, but can actually be harmful: "Executives favor a classic command-and-control approach to diversity because it boils expected behaviors down to dos and don'ts that are easy to understand and defend. Yet this approach also flies in the face of nearly everything we know about how to motivate people to make changes...You won’t get managers on board by blaming and shaming them with rules..." 

Instead, the same study points to personal engagement as the key to long lasting DEI forward progress, noting: "In analyzing three decades' worth of data from more than 800 U.S. firms and interviewing hundreds of line managers and executives at length, we've seen that companies get better results when they ease up on the control tactics. It's more effective to engage managers in solving the problem, increase their on-the-job contact with female and minority workers, and promote social accountability - the desire to look fair-minded." 

Focusing on the individual improves engagements and outcomes by allowing each person the freedom to expand and change at their own pace, while also creating a culture that is more open to growth. Research has shown that approaching employees as individuals not only increases receptivity to an anti-racist mindset, but restructures organizational culture to a place of complete immersion, where real change is not only possible, but long lasting. This way forward is not only incredibly exciting, but also, with the right tools, very achievable.

Racial Just Us, an anti-racism movement founded by ICF certified coach and DEI trainer André M. Brown, is poised to radically disrupt traditional corporate DEI work, achieving results by shifting the focus from outdated absolute training techniques to a more thoughtful and a dialogue based model that empowers individuals. Allowing each person their own agency in examining their personal biases meets each worker where they are in their own individual development, with the end result providing an exciting space for growth mindset. 

Ready to make actionable change? Racial Just Us is ready to help.

Miami based Racial Just Us, a division of Jump Street Coaching, was founded in 2020 by André M. Brown as a way to create actionable meaningful racial change, combining his experience as a trainer and International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified coach. André is an expert facilitator, well-versed in creating an atmosphere of respectful conversations around challenging topics, including race. 

For nearly thirty years, André has assisted a diverse population improve their lives, most recently, as a clinical training specialist for the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families. Here, he developed trainings including: Cultural Competence in Child Welfare Through Self-Awareness I: The Impact of Implicit Bias and Understanding and Implementing Cultural Competence.

Your New Year's Resolution For 2021? A Bold Commitment to Anti-Racism. Here's How:

Hello there 2021!

Welcome. Trust: we are awfully glad to see you. There were a whole lot of moments during this dumpster fire of 2020, that had us wondering if you'd even show up. (Truth is, we wouldn't have blamed you if you took a U-turn.) But here you are, appearing the same way that you do every year, as the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. Yet, even in your predictability, you also feel symbolically next level. And worthy of something different as we celebrate your arrival. Something more revolutionary.

And brave.

Over here at Racial Just Us, we've been spending our first (and hopefully last) worldwide pandemic, creating your perfect new year's resolution. Hint. It's kinda in our name. Are you ready to make 2021 the year of Racial Justice? Us too, especially our founder André M. Brown. He created this anti-racism movement in the wake of the tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. And while he watched these senseless crimes with a mix of anger, sadness, frustration and sometimes resignation, he was also incredibly heartened by the mobilization of people from all backgrounds during the Black Lives Matter protests. 

André wanted to build something to channel that collective energy of a diverse group of people who wanted to help, even after the marches were over, so he dreamed up Coaching for Community, created specifically to answer the question:  What Can I Do Next? He developed this one-of-a-kind virtual hybrid group coaching and training program, by blending his unique professional background as an ICF certified coach and racial bias trainer, together with his life experience as an African American man comfortable working with all racial and ethnic groups. 

In addition to uncovering the roles implicit bias and white privilege play in race relations and racial justice, the revolutionary power of Coaching for Community comes from helping participants target individual areas of anti-racism meaningful to them. At the end of four weeks, each participant will emerge with a completed action plan to help guide anti-racism efforts in their personal lives and communities. This intensive process, along with a private coaching session in week five, will help insure success long term. The next two series are scheduled to start on January 6 and January 16th, 2021, and are currently open for enrollment here.

What's in it for you? A whole lot, starting with an understanding of social domains which have been negatively affected by ongoing racist policies. You'll also uncover how implicit bias affects your perceptions of others and influences interpersonal relationships. Not to mention gain access to a wide variety of anti-racism resources, including a network of allies with the same growth mindset. But more importantly, you'll be serving as the leaders in a movement to create racial equity in our world by actively contributing to the elimination of racism and racist policies in the US. You'll be part of the solution to a problem over 400 years in the making, and that's kinda revolutionary. And also maybe a little scary. But in the words of the writer Anaïs Nin, "Life Shrinks or Expands in Proportion to One's Courage." 

2021 is ready for action. Are you?

On This #GivingTuesday, How White America Can Choose Actionable Outrage Over Passing The Bread

"Those poor, poor people. Can you pass the bread?" 

A few years ago, my wife Dawn went to dinner with a couple of girlfriends. As they were catching up over martinis, Dawn began talking about her volunteerism at Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education (RISE). She, no doubt, spoke passionately about the mission of the organization -- providing educational opportunities and mentoring to children of the incarcerated, in an effort to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, under education, joblessness and other social ills these kids potentially faced without any outside support. 

I should know; Dawn hooked me into becoming a mentor. Her enthusiasm, especially for her mentee, who she has remained connected with for the past fourteen years, was both inspiring and contagious. Unfortunately, that girlfriend dinner didn't become a mentor recruiting event. In fact, the response to Dawn's story was marked by such uncomfortableness and extreme disinterest, the response echoes years later as an inside joke between my wife and I to connotate a complete lack of empathy:  '"Those poor, poor people. Can you pass the bread?"

Over the years, the bread bit was added for dramatic effect, but that night, those words were silently spoken. The disinvestment and dismissiveness were swift and clear. Why? In large part because white women truly don't have to act on reforming social or racial injustice. 'Those poor poor people' are not my problem. 'Those poor poor people' have no connection to me. 'Those poor poor people' are not worthy of my time to work towards creating a global solution. White privilege allows for the construction of a life where 'those poor poor people' don't even exist, even when someone brings them into dinner conversation. 

Fast forward to this unforgettable year of 2020, filled with even more of those 'poor poor people' with the incredible misfortune of being brutally killed. Only this time, it wasn't as easy for the white collective to look away because the tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd were broadcast to the world. In fact, the horror and trauma projected was so strong that white America seemed to want to join in to help at unprecedented levels.

As an African American, I found the mobilization of people from all backgrounds during the Black Lives Matter protests inspiring. It was this channeling of collective energy of a diverse group of people that inspired me to develop Racial Just Us, and its first offering, Coaching for Community. "White people want to help, but they don't know what to do," -- again, my wife Dawn, although even she wonders if her initial observation was true. 

Coaching for Community, a five-week hybrid coaching/training movement was developed out of that very need, to not only answer the question 'What next?', but to inspire actionable steps to fight racism. Yet, even with these newly developed tools in place, I am still fearful that 'those poor poor people' will continue to be left behind, a fear even more intensified after the Presidential Election of 2020, which exposed the truly disturbing racial state of our country.

Earlier this summer, not long after George Floyd's brutal murder, I had a conversation with a white colleague who was incredibly fired up and passionate about becoming involved in work to eliminate racism. Yet, within a few weeks, she became increasingly disinvested from her own self-proclaimed mission. Well-meaning words cannot be substituted for the hard work of change. Pity for those poor poor people is not and cannot be a substitute for an action plan to create a better world. And nearly six months after the death of George Floyd, I fear, once again, that an apathy is beginning to spread across white America, until the next 'high profile' hashtag case resonates with their sense of morality, for the length of a news cycle.

Unfortunately, blatant dangerous injustices happen to members of Black America every single day that are never 'televised'. There were no witnesses when I was handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser, as a college student. My transport to the station came as a result of the constant working poor roulette of inspection sticker fines that gradually accumulated into a suspended license. That was my responsibility. But the accompanying Freddie Gray style ride to the station, because there was a fugitive from Chicago with the same name, was solid racism. If another officer, a childhood classmate, hadn't vouched for my identity at the station, I'm not sure where that incident may have gone.

There were no witnesses when the police responded to a domestic violence call at the house behind me, then demanded access to search my apartment on the third floor, because 'someone said they saw the accused enter' into my three family building. There were no witnesses when I was pulled over, while walking with a paper bag, at twenty years old, that contained a plastic drinking bottle for the guinea pig  I just rescued. There were no witnesses when I was pulled over in a predominately white community, because I had my high beams on.

At what point do my stories, and the millions of other experiences accumulated by Black America, take us beyond the narrative of 'those poor poor people' to immediate action? What will it take for the majority of white America to stop sitting comfortably in their protective bubble of white privilege? What will it take for us to stand together as a collective global community, to dismantle and rebuild these toxic systems for a better world for ALL?

Writer James Baldwin spoke of this very challenge in his work, "A Fire For Next Time" -- "If we -- and now I mean the relatively conscious whites and the relatively conscious blacks, who must like lovers, insist on, or create the consciousness of the others--do not falter in our duty now, we may be able, handful that we are, to end the racial nightmare, and achieve our country, and change the history of the world." 

His words that seem so timely? Written in 1962. 

Don't you think it is time for change?

Press Release: Coaching for Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For Black Allies Unsure Of What To Do Next, Racial Just Us Launches Coaching For Community

A Miami Based Movement Breaking Down Anti-Racism Change Into Easy Actionable Steps

Miami, FL, September 11, 2020 — Founder of Jump Street Coaching, André M. Brown, is excited to launch Racial Just Us, an innovative movement intent on eliminating racist policy through the individual efforts of one person at a time. Coaching for Community, the first virtual offering, begins October 7th (7-8:30pm) for an introductory rate of $149.

Blending his unique professional background as an ICF certified coach and racial bias trainer, with his life experience as an African American man comfortable working with all racial and ethnic groups, André has developed a one-of-a-kind virtual hybrid group coaching and training program. At the end of four weeks, each participant will emerge with a completed action plan to help guide anti-racism efforts in their personal lives and communities. In addition to uncovering the roles implicit bias and white privilege play in race relations and racial justice, the revolutionary power of Coaching for Community comes from helping participants target individual areas of anti-racism meaningful to them. This intensive process, along with a private coaching session in week five, will help insure success long term. 

In early 2020, André watched the tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor with a mix of anger, sadness, frustration and sometimes resignation. "But, I was also heartened by the mobilization of people from all backgrounds during the Black Lives Matter protests," said André. "I wanted to build something to channel that collective energy of a diverse group of people who wanted to help, even after the marches were over." Coaching for Community, the first Racial Just Us offering, was created specifically to answer the question:  What Can I Do Next? 

"I always thought, as a Black man, my strength was to address racism from the inside, by teaching Black people how to deal with it. I never considered the change I could affect by helping Black allies strategize ways to move forward in their own communities," said André. "Yes, it's critical for white people to engage and become a key component to the solution of disassembling racist policy. I'm excited to partner with people who are ready to make a real difference."

About André M. Brown:  André M. Brown is an expert facilitator, well-versed in creating an atmosphere of respectful conversations around challenging topics, including race. For nearly thirty years, André has assisted a diverse population improve their lives, most recently, as a clinical training specialist for the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families. Here, he developed trainings including: Cultural Competence in Child Welfare Through Self-Awareness I: The Impact of Implicit Bias and Understanding and Implementing Cultural Competence. André created Racial Just Us, a division of Jump Street Coaching, as a way to create actionable meaningful racial change, combining his experience as a trainer and International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified coach. André currently lives in Miami, Florida, where he's grateful for the tropical beauty, especially in this time of quarantine.

###