The Invisible Men

Erec Smith, a research fellow at the Cato Institute, joins Ian and Nique to discuss his life journey, “wokeism,” and the effects and future of DEI initiatives. Erec shares his experiences as a chief diversity officer and critiques the current state of DEI, arguing that it has strayed from its original purpose. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities facing DEI in the future, as well as the complex relationship between freedom and racism in the black community. He also discusses his resignation from academia due to the challenges posed by the prevailing woke culture. He emphasizes the importance of agency and self-reliance, arguing against the victim narrative often promoted in academic circles. Smith expresses optimism about shifts in corporate America and the need for mentorship programs that truly support diverse individuals. He advocates for a rethinking of diversity and inclusion initiatives, suggesting a focus on racelessness and individual agency instead.

Michael Bowen, a founding member of Free Black Thought and an engineer, dives into the complexities of race and identity. He shares personal stories about his early awareness of race, the cultural impact of jazz, and the Black Arts Movement. The conversation highlights his journey from education challenges to success in engineering, emphasizing the importance of community support. Bowen also discusses redefining Black identity, the mission of Free Black Thought in fostering intellectual diversity, and the transformative power of literature and art for empowerment.

Sarah Bond, the president of Xbox, and Bruce Bond, her father, join Ian and Nique to discuss their relationship, lessons learned from their lives and careers, and their experience of race in America.

Bob Woodson, founder of the Woodson Center, joins Ian and Nique to discuss his career, the future and history of the civil rights movement, and how to promote equal opportunity for all Americans.Subscribe for more episodes of The Invisible Men.

This week, Ian and Nique are joined by Dr. Irvin Scott – director of the Leadership Institute for Faith and Education at Harvard University and former deputy director for K-12 education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with over twenty years of experience working as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and chief academic officer. Dr. Scott describes the core elements of what it means to raise three African-American boys: Bibles, books, and balls – all of which transcend race and help affirm one’s place in the world.Dr. Scott believes fatherhood is critical to human flourishing and explains that policymakers need to address what is causing the absences of fathers, particularly in African-American communities. Watch the full episode to hear the impact that a ninth-grade English assignment had on his academic development and to hear his words of advice to “Darryl.”Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

In this episode, Ian and Nique are joined by Shelby Steele – author, columnist, documentary maker, and Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Shelby shares how growing up in the milieu of the civil rights movement caused him to be intellectually engrossed in debates about race and America from an early age. His father, despite lacking even a high education himself, pushed Shelby to believe that black people could overcome barriers and achieve great things in life with the right opportunities and the proper attitude. Later, Shelby describes how white guilt – the idea that white people today are guilty of all past historical injustices – is the most powerful force in western culture. Watch the full episode to hear Shelby describe the impact this has on black America and to hear his words of advice to “Darryl.”

In this special episode, Ian and Nique engage in a one-on-one conversation about key takeaways from the Tokyo Olympics. They also share their reaction to a recent bill signed by Oregon Governor Kate Brown that eliminates the need for students to test proficient in reading, writing, and math in order to graduate high school. Their discussion centers around “Darryl’s” likely reaction to both events. Watch the full episode to hear how Ian and Nique would explain these events to “Darryl.”

In this episode, Ian and Nique are joined by James Hill — software development architect, entrepreneur, U.S. Army veteran, and inventor of a new crypto technology called BracketChain. James and his wife started a company in 2014 called Alambda systems, a successful venture that currently has partnerships with Boeing, Microsoft, and Peraton. James runs a software-developing academy and focuses his efforts toward helping implement traditional approaches of investing, like short-selling, by using crypto technology. James shares how his upbringing in a majority white neighborhood inspired him to “bulldoze through” any misguided racial stereotypes and fueled his desire to succeed in both technology and business. Watch the full episode to hear James describe the impact that a summer job had on his personal development and to hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

In this episode, Ian and Nique are joined by Scott Hilton-Clarke — the founder of Inspiration Laboratories, a firm devoted to inspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives to step into their greatness and realize their visions for the future. Scott is a Founding Member of the Board of Governors for the University of Trinidad and Tobago and a graduate of Harvard Business School. He has spent over 25 years helping companies raise their levels of impact through cultivating leadership acumen and enhancing workplace synergy one department, one manager, one contributor at a time.Scott's passions go beyond the workplace. He imagines a world where children are encouraged to dream and cultivate their own greatness so they can confidently bring what makes them extraordinary to the world. Watch the full episode to hear Scott describe how a near-death experience shaped his perspective and to hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

In this episode, Ian and Nique are joined by Barry Johnson — the chairman and founder of Bedowin360 Capital with over thirty years of experience spanning Wall Street, Media, and the Obama Administration. Barry shares how his experience of growing up in segregated Alabama during the 1960s “living a foot in two worlds” shaped his path toward becoming a “possibilitist”— someone who uses his or her appreciation for human difference to celebrate the prospect of future opportunities.Originally on track to become a professional violinist, Barry switched gears and attended Yale University after a friend explained that he could share stories using his art in ways that do not necessarily appear to be about art. Following a few years on Wall Street, Barry attended Harvard Business School where he wondered what would happen if he intersected his business training with the world of story-telling. This sparked his beginning at The Walt Disney Company and later at Black Entertainment Television as President of a Microsoft joint venture. Watch the full episode to hear Barry describe why “the journey of life” is about being content with not always knowing what comes next, and to hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”