REACTInitiative

I spent my college years in the late 1990s, back when Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and even smartphones were nowhere to be found. So naturally, I assumed I was safe. Clearly, I was not. During my conversation with Northwestern University archivist Charla Wilson for the Black Experience at Northwestern University Oral History Project, Charla came through with something I wasn't quite prepared for: the receipts. Article after article from The Daily Northwestern documenting pieces of my college...

As a kid, I wanted to be Indiana Jones. And truth be told, part of me still does—if you catch me out somewhere diggin’ in the dirt someday, mind ya bidness and let me be great! I’ve always been fascinated by discovery, history, and the thrill of forging new paths. So, when I found myself touring Angkor Wat in Cambodia—a site featured in Tomb Raider (a more gender-specific professional endeavor that came much later in life)—it felt like destiny. My inner archaeologist was ready for action. But...

In October 2025, I had the opportunity to sit down with Ms. Charla Wilson, Curator for the Black Experience at my alma mater, Northwestern University. During the interview I discuss my experiences as a student-athlete and how they shaped my current advocacy for #equityineducation. The interview offers a glimpse into the personal and professional journey behind my scholarship and advocacy—and the work that continues to drive my business ventures including Respect the Dialect®, The Culture We...