Published in Writers and Editors of Color Magazine·Jul 27Member-onlyWhen I Became One of the First Black Finance Professionals in Arkansas, the Racism I Encountered Was UnbelievableFrom racism in my workplace to racist clients, in the 80s and 90s, being a Black bond salesman in the Deep South was almost too much — I spent much of my finance career in the Deep South, where I worked for one of the largest investment banks outside Wall Street. What follows is a story about racism and some things I experienced during that time. Soon, I’ll publish a similar post discussing my years on Wall…Race9 min read
Jun 28Member-onlyHerschel Walker’s Problem with the TruthIt’s no surprise Donald Trump endorsed him. — There was a boy who lived a few blocks from my childhood home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The boy (I’ll call him Jason) was younger than me, so we didn’t interact much. The one thing I remember about him was his prolific lying. For the most part, Jason‘s lies were…Midterm Elections4 min read
Published in The Journeyman.·Jun 12Member-onlyLast Week’s J6 Hearing Was like Watching a Gangster MovieThe evidence against Trump and his co-conspirators reminded me of every organized crime film I’ve ever seen — Someone might want to check the Capital roof. While speaking at an event hosted by Georgetown University’s Center on Faith and Justice in Washington last April, Representative Jamie Raskin, a House 1/6 committee member, outlined the committee’s plans for this month’s public hearings with revelations. Raskin said new information in…Trump6 min read
Published in The Journeyman.·Jun 8Member-onlyHow Becoming “Civilized” Ended with the Trail of TearsThe portrayal of Native Americans in popular culture often overlooks a complex history that included slavery — Not long ago, I participated in a book club hosted by Writers and Editors of Color (WEOC), an international collective of writers representing the kaleidoscope of peoples of color (full disclosure; I am an editor for WEOC’s publication on Medium and a member of the group’s leadership). Our book club’s…History8 min read
May 11Member-onlyCapitalism is Killing DemocracyWe’re in the middle of a second Gilded Age, but no one seems to realize unrestrained capitalism is the problem — Trader Monthly was a lifestyle magazine that ran from November 2004 to February 2009. While the publication’s stated audience was well-heeled participants in the financial trading community, its target market was predominantly male and white. Before its demise due to the financial crisis, Trader Monthly was known for glorifying all…Income Inequality6 min read
Apr 26Member-onlyWe Should Never Allow Republicans to Hold Power AgainWhen it mattered most, Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell chose power over the country — TRADING IS AS MUCH ART AS IT IS SCIENCE. No matter what the analysis, the charts, or the algorithms say, sometimes a trader goes with their gut. Maybe it’s a feeling about the market’s direction or stock that doesn’t feel right. Other times, it’s a hunch regarding a merger that…January 6 20217 min read
Apr 21Member-onlyChris Wallace’s MasterClass in Willful White IgnoranceWallace’s interview with Nikole Hannah-Jones put white America’s denial of the country’s racist history on full display — This piece was first published on The Journeyman, my Substack publication, prior to the announcement that CNN+ will shut down after less than a month of operations. My mother had an amazing green thumb. She could turn the sickliest plant into beautiful flora. The wrap-around porch of our Pine Bluff…7 min read
Published in GEN·Mar 28Member-onlyThe Fiction of the Self-Made BillionaireThere’s a lot more to astronomical financial success than “hard work” — A few days ago, my daughter made an odd sound; actually, it was more of a noise. Whatever the classification, I’m sure it’s something every parent has heard before. It is the sound of disapproval, unique to young people transitioning from adolescence to adulthood — something between ‘pshaw’ and ‘ugh.’ …Culture6 min read
Published in AfroSapiophile·Mar 20Member-onlyA Black Kid Named PeteOn nicknames, soda machines, and the death of my innocence. — I grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in a primarily Black neighborhood walking distance from downtown. In the early seventies, we moved from Little Rock after our parents began jobs as managers in the menswear and womenswear departments at the local Dillard’s Department Store. Although I spent equal amounts of…Race5 min read
Published in GEN·Mar 4Member-onlyWhen Skin Color Becomes a PassportWhen the refugees are blonde-haired and blue-eyed, the reception is very, very different. — Like virtually every person in the free world, I’m pulling for the citizens of Ukraine. Their plight is the real-life embodiment of David versus Goliath — good versus evil. I find myself pulling for them, despite their ridiculously long odds. What is especially compelling to observe is the evolution of…Ukraine4 min read
