The Invisible Men
Ian Rowe and Nique Fajors
In the aftermath of Rodney King's assault by police officers in the 90s and his attackers' subsequent acquittal, Ian Rowe and Nique Fajors grew weary of a public narrative proclaiming that black men in America were doomed to failure under an oppressive system. A feeling of invisibleness struck both Ian and Nique as the stories of men like them became increasingly ignored in the public eye. So they launched “The Invisible Men,” a documentary telling the stories of amazing black men at Harvard University who had overcome structural barriers and achieved success.
Today, Ian and Nique have resurrected “The Invisible Men” as a weekly podcast. Each week, they explore the stories of exceptional men who have built successful lives by leaning on the core principles of family, faith, free enterprise, and entrepreneurship.
Integral to the story of “The Invisible Men” is “Darryl,” a 16 year-old black teenager Ian and Nique imagined in the original documentary, who lives in the urban city of “Forgotten, USA” and desires to build a better life for himself but sometimes feels that success is out of his reach. Ian and Nique asked each of the men in their original documentary to advise “Darryl” on how he can forge a path to excellence and empowerment. Join Ian and Nique today for episodes of “The Invisible Men” every week as they hear the stories of incredible men and learn what advice they have for “Darryl” today!
Today, Ian and Nique have resurrected “The Invisible Men” as a weekly podcast. Each week, they explore the stories of exceptional men who have built successful lives by leaning on the core principles of family, faith, free enterprise, and entrepreneurship.
Integral to the story of “The Invisible Men” is “Darryl,” a 16 year-old black teenager Ian and Nique imagined in the original documentary, who lives in the urban city of “Forgotten, USA” and desires to build a better life for himself but sometimes feels that success is out of his reach. Ian and Nique asked each of the men in their original documentary to advise “Darryl” on how he can forge a path to excellence and empowerment. Join Ian and Nique today for episodes of “The Invisible Men” every week as they hear the stories of incredible men and learn what advice they have for “Darryl” today!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 11, 2025 • 56min
Devon Westhill: Equality Doesn’t Equal Equity | THE INVISIBLE MEN
In this episode of the Invisible Men, Ian and Nique engage with Devon Westhill, president of the Center for Equal Opportunity, discussing his personal journey growing up as a mixed-race child in the South, the dynamics of race and education, the role of single mothers, and the importance of social safety nets. The conversation also delves into the distinction between equal opportunity and equity in today's society, emphasizing the need for character-based judgment over race-based outcomes.Devon discusses the complexities of racial representation in corporate America, the shifting dynamics of equity and inclusion, and the potential impact of AI on the legal profession. He reflects on cultural changes in sports, the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions on education, and offers advice to the younger generation about authenticity and opportunity.
Mar 5, 2025 • 49min
Darius Jones: Race and Empowerment
In this episode of the Invisible Men, Ian Rowe and Nique Fajors engage in a deep conversation with Darius Jones, founder of the National Black Empowerment Council. Darius shares his upbringing in a family of educators involved in the civil rights movement, which shaped his understanding of race and empowerment. He discusses the importance of political engagement and the need for effective black leadership, emphasizing that not all leaders who share racial identity will prioritize the community's needs. The conversation also highlights the mission of the National Black Empowerment Council in fostering leadership and creating positive change at the municipal level, as well as the vital role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in empowering black leaders. Darius Jones discusses the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the complexities surrounding identity and opportunity, and the importance of merit in the black community. He emphasizes the need for innovative strategies to navigate new opportunities and the significance of guarding one's mental space. Darius also shares insights on influential figures in the black community and offers advice for the next generation, highlighting the power of thoughts in shaping reality.
Feb 26, 2025 • 48min
Revitalizing North Tulsa
Philip Abode, the lead pastor of Crossover Bible Church and executive director of Crossover Preparatory Academy, joins Ian and Nique to discuss his life journey, the role that faith played in his upbringing, and his work to promote North Tulsa’s flourishing. The conversation highlights the comprehensive community development initiatives he and his colleagues have implemented, including youth sports programs, educational institutions, and healthcare services, all aimed at restoring and empowering their community. He also highlights the need for empowerment through education and development, sharing insights on the rituals and culture established at Crossover.
Feb 18, 2025 • 48min
From DEI Chief to DEI Critic
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.
Feb 11, 2025 • 56min
Michael Bowen: Championing Intellectual Diversity Within the Black Community
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.
Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 14min
Sarah and Bruce Bond: Father-Daughter Success Story
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.
Jan 29, 2025 • 45min
Bob Woodson: Civil Rights Icon
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.
Jan 27, 2022 • 42min
Irvin Scott on the importance of faith and fatherhood
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
Jan 25, 2022 • 1h 14min
Shelby Steele on the powerful influence of white guilt
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.”
Aug 18, 2021 • 23min
Ian and Nique on the Olympics and the importance of high expectations
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.”
