Pain into Purpose
One year ago, shortly after George Floyd was killed, I channeled the emotions I was feeling into writing a blog I was afraid to publish, given the vulnerability it exposed and the topic it addressed. When I hit "submit," my heart was pounding as I was overcome with an expectation of negative responses and criticism it might generate, a state of foreboding. After all, who was I to opine on the subject of race, given the state of tension in our country as details emerged about what happened in Minneapolis. Little did I know the piece I authored would go on to be voted the Most Inspirational Blog of the Year by employees at my company, a distinction both honoring and humbling. Fast forward to April 20, 2021 and a verdict rendered that has been called a step towards "driving accountability for one's actions … through our justice system." In reflecting on the verdict rendered and response it has generated, I couldn't help but be moved by the words of Philonise F