Lesson 33: Nurturing

Mom - Early on in life, you persuaded me you had superpowers. I could smell eggs cooking in the skillet when you woke me up for school. I could hear your voice cheering in the stands at my football games. I could feel the sting subside from the scrape on my knee when you cleaned the wound. You provided a childhood filled with nurturing, and I am better for it.

Lamar Jackson also believes his mom is a superhero. He told reporters in an interview, “[My mom] told me to focus on football and she would take care of everything else.” His mother’s leadership allowed him to develop the skills he needed to lead the Baltimore Ravens as quarterback. Today, she is not only his mom but also his manager.

You helped me negotiate the MBA application process. Now, you guide me as I explore this journey to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. The work of a mother is never finished. 

In fact, you have been my superpower as I speak with investors about my idea to acquire a trade school. This week, an investor asked me how I plan to attract students to my school. I told him my mom has been in Atlanta’s public school system for over 20 years. My plan is to leverage her network to attract and train the next generation of welders, plumbers, and electricians. The investor told me that plan will be my edge as an operator.

As students join my school, I want them to feel nurtured. The instructors, the facilities, the training, and the leadership should all care for and encourage the growth of every student. The U.S. Department of Labor launched the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI). This program found all AAI apprentices experienced wage growth, with Black apprentices seeing a 37% increase in their earnings. Families who send a student to my school will see them graduate better prepared for gainful employment than when they arrived.

My vision is to leverage my influence as a Black business leader to pursue economic justice. ETA is a vehicle to pursue this vision. Sadiq Olanrewaju is a fellow classmate and launched his search with NuArc Capital this year. He told me, “Your job is to find out how you can help each person in the business as an operator.” I did not start a master’s in business administration to learn how to tell people what to do; I came to learn how to become a better, more nurturing leader. Like you.

Love,

Your son

Nurturing is Lesson 33. Next week, I will share Lesson 34: Faith.