Navigating ADHD as a Black Man and a Desk Dynamo 5000 Ad

In this episode, Eric is joined by Vernon T. Foster II! Vernon is an author, podcaster, and self-proclaimed Sommelier of video marketing. Diagnosed with ADHD just over 2 years ago, Vernon is passionate about sharing his experience as a black man living with ADHD and creating community.

You'll hear Vernon share his story from life as a kid to today, what prompted him to write his book, what it's like to have to walk out the door as a black man in America while navigating ADHD, and dealing with challenges because of the layers society has placed on black American men.

• Learn more about Vernon T. Foster II on Linkedin (click here!) or at his video marketing website at vernontfoster.com (click here!)
• Get Vernon's book at adhdblack.com - The Black Man's Handbook to Living with ADHD: 5 Ways to Create a Better Tomorrow No Matter How You're Feeling Today (click here!)
• Check out his Instagram @vernononvideo [Instagram]

Questions/Topics:

• [00:01:06] Introducing Vernon and his continuing process of figuring himself out and his ADHD journey
• [00:02:56] Vernon shares his experiences with various jobs and getting fired
• [00:04:47] A conversation about what led Vernon to ADHD, connecting the dots, and life as the "token black kid" in school
• [00:08:09] Experiencing covert racism
• [00:10:02] Vernon shares about his time at Florida State University and a discussion on testing
• [00:10:50] Eric and Vernon on Scantrons
• [00:14:44] The Stroop Test
• [00:16:34] ADHD medication, college, and an important message
• [00:20:45] Eric shares a test-taking strategy
• [00:21:38] Life after an ADHD diagnosis / A shocking statistic / What prompted Vernon to write his book
• [00:23:35] Vernon shares his reaction about the ADHD diagnosis statistics on African American and Latino children
• [00:23:58] "Why didn't anyone tell me this sh*t?"
• [00:25:19] Eric asks Vernon, "As a black man, diagnosed later with ADHD, [...] what do you think is maybe not understood by most people?"
• [00:25:57] "The world is already against you, the odds are already stacked against you" / Other challenges navigating the world as a black man
• [00:27:52] Understanding ADHD and how it affects every aspect of Vernon's life
• [00:29:34] The challenges of navigating the world with something very visible alongside something that is invisible and how one affects the other
• [00:32:02] "A lot of people who look like me…" / Level the playing field / Hoarding information and wealth and perpetuating the cycle
• [00:33:36] "It's my duty to be a steward of those things to help support other people that look like me, people that also don't look like me."
• [00:39:34] Vernon shares his wisdom, tips, and being a work in progress
• [00:42:14] Tapping into the tools after an ADHD diagnosis
• [00:44:20] Managing emotions, emotional intelligence, and taking your power back / Mindfulness
• [00:48:17] Support, family, and community / "It's really hard to do this alone."
• [00:52:55] Communicating what you need when you have ADHD
• [00:57:33] Closing thoughts

Resources & Honorable Mentions:

• ADHD reWired Episode 333: Race-Based Trauma, RSD & ADHD with Romanza McAllister LCSW (listen here!)
• Website: blackgirllostkeys.com - René Brooks: Living as a Black Woman with ADHD (click here!)
• "How do we become better stewards of the gifts and the opportunities that we have to show other people that it's possible? To invest in other people?" - Vernon

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