An Inspection – A Perspective for Context

By David A. Brown-Dawson, 26 July 2020

Much is happening in our country and in our world right now. I want to share a story and provide a perspective which will hopefully add context to what’s happening. Please read the entire piece.

A Brief History of the White House

The history of the White House – the building – is fascinating. The White House was constructed beginning in 1792. President John Adams moved into the White House in 1800, though the building was unfinished. This original construction consisted of the white sandstone exterior walls we know today; in fact, the exterior is the only portion of the original construction that remains.

The white exterior sandstone walls originally went down five feet with an eight-foot spread footing. Attached to the interior of the white sandstone wall was a brick wall that rested on no footing, just the soft clay and sand of the ground. The internal structure of the White House was attached to the brick walls which were attached to the white sandstone walls. Over time the brick wall began to settle due to the lack of a foundation and pulled away from the sandstone wall. Here is an excerpt from http://www.whitehousehistory.org:

In August of 1814, the White House had to be rebuilt after its destruction during the War of 1812 and its rebuilding was completed in 1817. (This is the infamous story of Dolly Madison cooking dinner as the British were coming to burn the place, her escaping with the original portrait of George Washington, the British eating the dinner, and then setting the White House on fire.) When the White House was rebuilt, they did not remove and replace the entire structure and as a result some burned (read: less structurally sound) wood remained in place.

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt conducted a major renovation of the White House. A new elevator was installed, electric lights fully replaced gaslights, the East Terrace was rebuilt and the western staircase was removed to enlarge the State Dining Room. This renovation also saw the erection of the “temporary” executive office building that would later become the West Wing.

President Harry S. Truman also had the White House renovated between 1948 and 1952. The White House interior was gutted in an extensive renovation. The original exterior walls remained standing while the interiors were removed and reinstalled within a skeleton of steel structural beams on a new concrete foundation.

To restate, in order to become the home and building it is today, the White House had to be renovated (read: gutted and rebuilt) because it was falling in on itself.

Inspection

Renovation requires a commitment to the future and an understanding of the past. Before a renovation can begin in earnest, an inspection (also known as a survey) must occur. While people living in a house may see things that need to be fixed on a daily basis, “A home inspection is a thorough investigation of a house conducted by a licensed home inspector… A typical home inspection will examine the major systems of the house, including foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, siding, roof, etc. A home inspector may recommend additional specialized inspections such as pest inspections, sewer/septic inspections or mold inspections.”

It is imperative to understand the systems that were originally installed, modifications made, and current effectiveness and safety of each system and how it affects the comprehensive state of the building.

An inspection is intentional, focused, and comprehensive. While the results of an inspection may differ slightly depending on the inspector, an inspection is typically unbiased and forward-looking. At the same time, an inspection will reveal root causes and identify responsible parties (such as lead pipes being installed by plumbers in an old building). The results of an inspection are ideal in that they give you an accurate understanding of the current state of the building and allow you to create a comprehensive plan of action. Here is a brief timeline of the events surrounding the inspection and subsequent renovation of the White House.

1948-1952 Renovation Timeline
1945	President Truman notes first problems with “ghosts” in the White House
1946	First Lady Bess Truman sees chandelier swaying in White House
Jan-Feb 1948	Preliminary Report on structural issues
June 1948	[President Truman’s daughter] Margaret Truman’s piano leg goes through floor
June 1948	Comprehensive report on structural issues
Nov 2, 1948	Election Day
Nov 7, 1948	White House closed “indefinitely”
1949	Decision making and design
1950	Most drawings are done

“Some modifications by past presidents led to floors creaking, things popping, and a general feeling that being inside of the White House was simply not safe. The White House was falling apart on the inside.” – -Clifton Truman Daniel (grandson of Harry Truman)

The reality is that each president made modifications during their time living in the White House. However, it is hard to know a system’s current effectiveness and safety without examining it thoroughly.

Catalyst for Action

In early 1946, First Lady Bess Truman and the Daughters of the American Revolution were having an event in the White House when a chandelier in the room began to tremble. It was found to be fastened into a wooden beam left in place from the 1817 rebuild. Bess Truman reportedly commented “I was afraid the chandelier was going to come down on top of all of those people.” In that moment, they saw the effects of the structural instability of the White House and fortunately no one injured but people were alarmed. In my mind I see a conversation playing out between Bess and Harry that day in which she implores him to take action. President Truman later states, “You’d better get some engineers in here. They might have to shore up the floors.”

In June 1948, Margaret Truman, President Truman’s daughter, was playing piano on the second floor when a leg of her piano broke through the wooden floorboard. I believe it was in this moment that the president and others saw firsthand the breakdown in structural integrity of the building. That same month the Comprehensive Structural Survey was released.

There are moments that demand action. Moments when physical evidence of what was previously thought, debated, or mildly considered requires acknowledgement, intentional and unbiased inspection, and appropriate action.

Inspection and Findings

As shown in the table above, there were multiple inspections; the preliminary and then the comprehensive. The preliminary survey was conducted by the presidents of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Architecture, as directed by Truman. Some of the results of the Preliminary Survey: “The second floor should be reconstructed at the earliest practical date”; due to fire risk, wattage used should be reduced; a much more detailed structural survey of the entire building should be conducted.

The Comprehensive Survey was conducted and consisted of many activities: inspectors tore off plaster, drilled holes, pried up baseboards and flooring, chipped away at stucco over brick walls looking for sources of the cracks. The Comprehensive Report revealed multiple findings: previous remodeling.

Weight: Thousands of pounds of abandoned pipe added weight to the structure
Ceiling: Family dining room ceiling below Margaret’s room had dropped 18 inches.
Walls: Doors had been cut through load-bearing walls
Beams: There were still brittle beams, some scorched and never replaced from the 1814 fire
Exterior: Sandstone walls extended five feet underground; rested on spread footings eight feet across
Interior: brick walls had no footings (read: no support other than the ground); entire weight of White House was on the interior walls; walls were sinking into sand and clay ground
Separation: Interior walls were pulling away from exterior walls as the interior walls sank
Fire Risk: Wooden shavings and sawdust from previous work was inside walls just inches from frayed electrical wiring (some wiring had no insulation)
Stability: Entire stability of White House was at risk, not just second floor as found in prior report
Alterations had occurred throughout the White House without regard for load-bearing walls
Truman family had moved three pianos to the second floor, adding additional weight

Is this level of detail necessary for this piece? Yes, because it shows the thoroughness of a Comprehensive Report. It is important to inspect every system when conducting a comprehensive survey.

Brief Aside: A Cold Situation

At the beginning of this year, the heat in the house I’m living in stopped working completely. For the coldest month of the year, we had no heat. We informed the property managers and they eventually sent out a handyman to inspect the system. There was no sense of urgency to them addressing the issue. The person they initially sent may have been well-intentioned but did not understand the system he was sent to inspect and repair. As a result, he was replacing the thermostat when the problem was much deeper.

Long story short, it took weeks and the effort of an experienced HVAC technician to identify and fix the root cause of the issue and reestablish heat in our house. it’s challenging to understand the root cause of an HVAC system issue if you have not been trained in the mechanics of the system. But it’s easy to know that the heater is not working because the entire house is affected.

The Decision

Back to the White House. Over the course of more than two years, President Truman gutted the White House down to its original walls and rebuilt the interior from scratch. If President Truman was only thinking about his own time in office, I imagine he would have preferred to live in peace, without construction workers moving through the space he was meant to call home. That said, it appears he did not have the luxury to ignore the systemic problems as his predecessors did.

President Truman was re-elected on November 2, 1948 in a surprising comeback (another story for another time). The White House was shutdown due to its decrepit state on November 7, 1948. Five days later. Ultimately, three options were given to the president and Congress on a way forward:

Dismantle the exterior walls, demolish and rebuild the interior, reconstruct the building entirely, and then put the exterior walls back in place
Demolish the building entirely and construct a new White House in its place
Demolish and rebuild the interior with a concrete foundation and steel structure, keeping the exterior walls intact

The decision was made to go with Option 3: Keep the exterior walls of the White House intact while demolishing and rebuilding the interior with a concrete foundation and steel structure.

Bottom Line

We may not be responsible for the construction of the home, the original building materials, or the labor source. BUT, what we do with the information from this inspection is up to us and will determine whether our home endures the future environment and requirements. We all live here. And just as we get to benefit from the structure and comforts of the house, we also must take responsibility for the repairs and renovations that must occur. And once the renovation is complete, maintenance is required. The inspection, renovation, and the subsequent maintenance, is the responsibility of all who are invested.

If I am merely renting a house, I do not necessarily care about the long-term condition of the house; my primary concern is whether it is suitable for me during the time I am living in it. However, if I am thinking long-term, I will deal with short-term discomfort because I am invested for the long-term. I want to say this candidly: it is my commitment to the home I own, rather than disdain or hatred, that requires me to perform an inspection of my house. Likewise, it is my love of, gratitude towards, and commitment to this country that requires me to understand the current status of this country based on the results of the inspection and move forward appropriately.

Harsh Reality of Renovation

The harsh reality of a renovation is this: A renovation takes money, time, energy, and people. It takes a vision, goals, and a plan. A vision of the end result. Goals to measure the achievement and progress towards the end result. And a plan to meet each goal. A renovation takes awareness, intentionality, commitment, and a desire to improve.

The major renovation that took place during President Truman’s time in office lasted four years (including the inspection and decision-making). Four years. 1,460 days of inconvenience. 1,460 days of discomfort. 1,460 days of things seeming even worse than before. 1,460 days of brokenness, messiness, dirtiness. 1,460 days of disruption. 1,460 days of a lack of normalcy. 1,460 days of identifying problems and fixing them. 1,460 days. What was the result? The White House we know today, 70 years later.

One final note on the White House renovation: it was controversial and some deem it a disaster. That said, we can learn from the inspections, renovation, and any failures. We must be sure to count the cost of the renovation before we begin so as not to lose heart or focus while in the midst of the demolition or as the concrete foundation is being poured.

The Blueprint and Commitment

The blueprint (design documents) of this country are The Declaration of Independence and The US Constitution. Both were well-written. The core values espoused within are: dignity, equality, freedom, liberty, and justice for all people. I understand the context in which the documents were written. However, the words were written. “All people” is not gender specific, it is not race specific, it is not income specific. All people should be able to live in a country and in communities with these core values. The construction of this country was not completed in line with the blueprint. But we have the blueprint nonetheless.

Now, we can get hung up who designed the house, the construction process, the building materials, the labor that was used to build the house. Each of those aspects warrants discussion and I have pondered each at length. As stated above, when inspecting a home, it is necessary to inspect the major systems of the house and in inspecting our country it is necessary to inspect our major systems, which is what I believe is occurring right now.

Americans are currently inspecting the education system, housing system, economic system, entertainment system, political system, healthcare system, policing system, judicial system, prison system, wealth distribution system, information system, transportation system. The systems may appear to be separate, but they all work together just as the systems in a house work together.

As we continue to inspect and move into the redesign phase, let us keep front of mind the core values of “dignity, freedom, equality, liberty, and justice for all people”. We can use these values to assess each system. For example, we can review the education system as it is currently designed and funded:

DIGNITY: Does the education system as it is currently designed and funded instill dignity in all people (students, teachers, administrators)? Is there a difference of treatment, punishment, financial investment depending on a student’s zip code, parent’s income, ethnicity?
FREEDOM: Does the education system as it is currently designed and funded prepare students to be emotionally stable, culturally aware, and financially independent and free upon graduation?
EQUALITY: Does the education system have a level of equality in how students are educated, the materials used to educate them, and the amount of money with which they are educated?
LIBERTY: Does the education system enable students to be aware of, wise against, and free from oppressive restrictions both during and after school? (look up definition of liberty)
JUSTICE: Do students within the current education receive fair, equal, and balanced treatment?

This is just an example of the way we can use our core values to evaluate the systems in which we live. You may come up with better questions than the ones above, and that is great! The point is to use our common values to evaluate our systems.

We need a comprehensive inspection, then a collective agreement (vision) of the renovated house along with an accurate understanding of the cost of the renovation. We must stay committed to the end result – a home built for all of us to live with dignity, equality, freedom, liberty, and justice.

Final Thoughts

“Without courage you never start. Without commitment, you never finish.” – Denzel Washington

Let us have the courage and commitment to ourselves and future Americans to complete the inspection, move into the design decision-making, and then into the renovation. Let us individually and collectively count the cost, knowing that this will be a long-term process. Let us be like Truman and look forward and make the choice to be uncomfortable and inconvenienced now so that our house will be on a solid foundation and structurally sound. Let us ensure that the end result of the renovation of our country will endure and meet the needs of future generations and environments.

And remember, after the renovation is complete, maintenance will be required.

Sources:

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/collections/president-trumans-renovation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx6lQgBk0Qo&t=1362s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toqvmeuQrCA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Reconstruction

Congressman Sam Johnson – A True American Patriot (Part 2)

Five years ago, I was starting my five-month internship in Congressman Sam Johnson’s office in Washington, D.C. Even at that time, I felt like I was living out a portion of my dreams. Working for Congressman Johnson was a privilege and an honor; learning about his life of service was inspiring and encouraging; learning from the members of his team was educational and eye-opening. The boss served as an Air Force pilot in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He spent almost seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. His faith in God, love for his family, and devotion to his country and fellow prisoners enabled him to endure his time as a POW. He returned home to his family and to his country on February 12, 1973. But his service did not stop.

He continued his military service until 1979 and retired after 29 years of decorated military service. (I have yet to reach 29 years of life!) He retired to Texas with his wife and family and five years later began serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He served in this capacity from 1985 to 1991, when he turned in his seat in the Texas House of Representatives to serve in the US House of Representatives. He served his community, his state, and his country for almost 28 years.

Congressman Johnson has been described as a man of faith, a man of integrity, and a man of service. He has also been described as a man of many jokes. Working for him for the short time I did, I was able to see each of these characteristics first hand. I was also able to see that the people on his team were brilliant, hard-working, and caring with their own jokes.

Why am I writing this now? Congressman Johnson has shown an enduring sense of urgency for his community and his country demonstrated by his consistent service that spanned seven decades. This is the first year since 1991 that he will not officially represent the 3^rd District of Texas in the US Congress for the majority of the year. For perspective: I was born in March of 1991; he has been serving in the US Congress since I was two months old.

My five months in D.C at the beginning of 2014 set the tone for my service in the Air Force, which would begin later that year. I am grateful for the people who supported me in obtaining that internship, the people I met through that internship, and the people I worked with during that internship. And I am grateful for Congressman Sam Johnson’s embodiment of leadership as service. Thank you Colonel Johnson for your military service. Thank you Congressman Johnson for your public service. Thank you Mr. Johnson for your leadership and devotion to our country.

-David A. Brown-Dawson, 12 January 2019

Getting The Memo with John Hope Bryant

Life is all about the people we meet. Sometimes we meet them in person; sometimes we meet them through a video; other times we meet them through a book. Such is the case now: I would like to introduce you to Mr. John Hope Bryant and his book The Memo. I came across this book while browsing in a Barnes & Noble, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

I enjoyed the book even more as I researched Operation HOPE and learned of the work he has been doing over the past two decades. It is one thing to present information; it is even better when that information is coupled with wisdom and practical advice from experience.

This is a book review and book report combined. I have begun doing this for books that I read for two reasons. First, it helps me fully digest the information and wisdom in the book. Second, it allows me to capture my thoughts on the book so that I can return later and see what the major takeaways were and remember how the book impacted me. If you can use any of the questions below for your own book digestion, feel free.

I recommend you read his book and check out the work that he does with his organization, Operation HOPE! And if you need financial literacy assistance, I recommend checking out his website at www.operationhope.org and seeing if there is a local branch. I have not worked with him or his team directly (yet), but I believe investing in his book will be worth it.

Question to Answer before you read:

What were your thoughts/expectations prior to starting this book?

I had no real expectations prior to reading this book. I had not heard of John Hope Bryant or his Operation HOPE or anything else. I purchased the book because of the title and the idea of economic liberation. I also purchased the book because he was a black man in a suit, and he looked like he had some great information to share. (In this instance, initially judging a book by its cover may have paid off.)

Questions to answer after you read:

Did the book meet your expectations?

The book exceeded any preconceived notions that I had. After reading Ong Hean-Tatt’s Secrets of Ancient Chinese Art of Motivation, this book seemed to be a perfect next step. Mr. Bryant illustrated the breakdown of The HOPE Doctrine of Wealth & Poverty. The way he captured the wealth mindset, and the factors, was fascinating and it was great to see how it lined up with the Secrets of Ancient Chinese Art of Motivation.

50% = Self-Esteem (Positive Self-worth) and Confidence (Belief in oneself)

25% = Role models (Positive examples lead to brighter outlook) and Environment (Positive and nurturing friends and family)

25% = Aspiration (A life full of hope) and Opportunity (Equal access)

This breakdown is insightful as he discusses how having these areas fulfilled leads to wealth and how the opposite induces poverty.

What were your favorite/most meaningful quotes (and why)?

Preface xvii – Your power comes from economic independence, which is also what protects you against social injustice, economic manipulation, and profiling on all levels. Nobody is going to give you that power. You must gain it for yourself. Don’t waste time on anger; instead, use your inner capital to level the playing field.
Preface xx – I wrote this book because it sticks in my brain that the wealthiest eighty-five individuals have more wealth than 3.5 billion people on the planet, and this is simply not sustainable. It is immoral. It is not good – even for the wealthy that belong to the club of eighty-five. Even more troubling to me, in the United States, the wealthiest 1 percent captured 95 percent of the post-financial crisis growth since 2009, while the bottom 90 percent became poorer.
27 – I believe that fully half of modern poverty – beyond basic issues of sustenance of course – is tied to a poor mind-set, to low self-esteem and a lack of confidence…This is why I hammer so hard on the issue of self-esteem and confidence. Because it is the beginning of everything.
30 – True wealth, like true poverty, has nothing to do with money.

What is your biggest take away after reading this book?

“There is no more important relationship than the one you have with yourself. Everything else in your life pivots off that relationship.” (P. 41) In a recent interview with Pastor Steven Furtick, Bishop T.D. Jakes talked about how he is more in tune with himself than most people. I have no doubt that his self-awareness contributes to his effectiveness as a leader, teacher, and writer. Part of what he shared included his parents, grandparents, and his ancestors from the Igbo Tribe in Nigeria. His knowledge of where in Africa his family came from and that they are known as the Black Jews for their resourcefulness was a major point in his statement. This leads me to understand that a major part of knowing and being in tune with yourself is knowing from where you came. Knowledge of one’s self is directly linked to their self-confidence and self-esteem.

From Page 27, it is tough to see the value of education without seeing the value of oneself. It is important to provide information, encouragement, and examples to children, so they are aware of their potential and pursue their purpose. Education is exposure. Exposing people to their family history (for black people, that means going beyond slavery and back to the African empires and tribes) can build that confidence and self-esteem. In turn, that enables children to be more willing to learn and not be ashamed of their intelligence and willingly stifle it.

Preface xix: The Invisible Class is people who are experiencing a twenty-first century crisis of confidence and personal faith, which is impacting their self-esteem. People in the group are giving in to fear and giving up hope that they can realize their dreams. They don’t even think that their children will do better than they have. Truth be told, they are pretty confident that their children will do worse. People in the Invisible Class don’t feel seen, and, this I know for sure, everyone wants to be seen. Everyone wants to know that they count. They want to know that they matter and that what they believe, do, and think is important. This group equals more than 150 million people in the United States of America, and more than five billion people of the world’s seven billion population around the world. These are people – black, white, brown, red, or yellow – who never got the Memo.

The people in this group have a lot in common (despite racial differences), but they have been pitted against each other.

“Someone (other than me) has to be the one to blame for the mess called my life,” goes the narrative, which plays on deep fears of a class environment and standards of living in constant decline. This narrative is offensive to the soul, as it gets each subgroup further and further from the essential truths about their respective lives, truths needed for a reawakening of their potential.

I think this is the most powerful section of the book; it may explain why President Trump was elected (he was able to tap into this group and make them feel seen) and why churches like Life Church, Elevation, and others are booming (they are reaching out to this demographic that feels unseen). 150 million people is a vast and seemingly limitless group to help. I am curious how that number breaks down by state, and which communities need the most injection of hope.

“The people in this group have a lot in common (despite racial differences), but they have been pitted against each other.” Again, this quote within the larger quote speaks to the need for unity but makes a great case as to why certain people may want to maintain a level of separation and disunity; if we as the Invisible Class recognize what has happened and come together, change will happen. Amazing things will happen when we choose to unify despite our differences; when we choose to focus on our similarities as we use our diverse backgrounds to create the best, comprehensive solutions.

Please write any additional thoughts you had while reading this book or after finishing it that you would like to capture in this review.

I believe that this book is directly in line with Bishop T.D. Jakes’ book SOAR, even though I have yet to read it. In the same interview with Pastor Furtick, Bishop Jakes talks about writing SOAR for the people that don’t have access to all the other business tools. He did not use the term specifically, but it sounds like SOAR was written for the Invisible Class, to help them gain confidence and tools to move forward in the pursuit of their dreams and goals. To encourage them to take personal responsibility for their lives, their futures, and their children’s futures.

I believe this book will lead to me meeting Mr. John Hope Bryant and working with him and possibly his publishing company. I almost didn’t write the previous sentence. However, I believe it and I really am impressed with the work he has done and the example he has set as an African-American leader, entrepreneur, and man of action. This book gave me a chance to see what good work is already being done. It is encouraging to see how much of an impact he has made since beginning Operation HOPE twenty years ago. It excites me to think about where DICEi and other projects will be twenty years from now.

-David A. Brown-Dawson, 20 November 2017

Dan Newton – The Man Behind the Jersey

Life is all about the people we meet.

As an incoming freshman at Elk Grove High School, I remember seeing some upperclassmen wearing these cool baseball jerseys. I found out they were members of the Associated Student Body (ASB) team. It was at that moment I decided I wanted to wear one of those jersey. I wanted to wear that jersey because of the dedication, energy, and excellence that I saw from those who were wearing the jersey. I wanted to wear that jersey because those who wore it led by serving. And, I wanted to wear that jersey because they looked cool. I found out through my friends the man behind the jerseys – our student government adviser – was Mr. Dan Newton. I later learned first-hand that he was also the force behind the dedication, energy, and excellence.

One of my earliest encounters with Mr. Newton was when I ran for the Athletic Chair on ASB leading into my junior year. I lost. However, Mr. Newton called me in and discussed an open position as a School Board Representative. That second chance enabled me to spend my junior year working with a great team of juniors and seniors. My buddy Elliott and I were the sole guys on a team of twenty-four. Being a School Board Rep meant preparing speeches with my teammate Jamie by working with students, teachers, and our principal then delivering those speeches in front of the school board and community leaders. The public speaking and interaction with leaders of the community were priceless. So too were the incredible relationships that I formed both at Elk Grove and across the state of California with other young high school leaders.

Mr. Newton allowed us to make our own decisions as young leaders, which meant that there would inevitably be mistakes. I would like to say everything was perfect during my senior year as student body president, but I made my share of mistakes. We had an amazing team. We would discuss the choices and then the mistakes, and he would offer insight, wisdom, and ways to improve. Newt-Dogg never wanted us to fear trying something new or making a mistake. If we were putting forth our best effort, we had his complete support.

One of the best decisions we made as a leadership team was to purchase and implement the “Wisdom Minute” as part of the morning announcements. It was a short story with a quote and always ended with, “Make it a great day, or not. The choice is yours.” Mr. Newton brought the idea to our team then left it up to us to decide whether we wanted to move forward with it. We eventually decided to go for it and though at times it seemed cheesy, the Wisdom Minute became a fun and encouraging staple to our morning announcement. He presented us with an opportunity and then allowed us to make an adult decision.

Thank you, Mr. Newton, for your dedication, encouragement, life lessons, energy, and commitment to excellence. Please know that your spirit of selfless service lives on in the lives of your students who are spread out across the country and around the world. And thank you for the opportunity to learn from you and grow as a leader.

In Service,

David A. Brown-Dawson, 27 September 2017

Rich, John, and a Tale of Two Acronyms

Life is all about the people we meet. During my first few weeks on active duty, I was told that I would be the new ADR OIC. I knew what OIC stood for (Officer-in-Charge), but had no idea what ADR was. (Airfield Damage Repair.) My buddy gave me some places to look for information and the names of two gentlemen who were ADR subject matter experts. After reading up on the basics of the process, I called one of the guys, Rich, and he told me to come on over and we would discuss it. Over the ensuing two hours, they proceeded to explain the entire process to me and answer all my questions, no matter how basic or outlandish. I walked out of the office feeling confident and excited about my new position.

Over the next year and a half in that position, I had the honor and opportunity to work with Navy Seabees, Marine combat engineers, and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force engineers. I am grateful for the foundation that was built during those first two hours with Rich and John. I made mistakes during the training scenarios but I have no doubt that many errors were avoided as a result of our conversation and their investment in me.

I shared this story at my going away celebration and I share it now because the experience left a lasting impact on me and reinforced some valuable lessons: one, I do not know everything. Two, I need to do my own research and put effort in to see if I can figure things out. Three, if I am willing to admit that I do not know everything and ask questions, people will go above and beyond to help me. This is the approach that I take to learning and life. And this was the perfect lesson to begin my military career and set the foundation of my professional leadership and learning style. Time and time again over the last three years, this same process has played out with other teammates and they have stepped up to help me problem solve and produce the best product. It is amazing that people have been so willing to take time out of their days to invest in me, mentor me, and grow me as a young leader.

My goal is to pay it forward to others in a similar fashion.

Rich and John, thank you for taking time out to invest in me. And thank you for your service. I truly appreciate it.

-David A. Brown-Dawson, 7 August 2017

Step Back to Move Forward

2017 is flying by. A lot is happening and in the next few months even more will take place. It’s normal to get caught up in the grind or lose focus at times on your goals and objectives. When that happens, it is important to take a step back, revisit your purpose for doing what you are doing, take a deep breath, and then move forward. That is what the last week has been for me. At first I was disappointed that I wasn’t moving forward, I wasn’t shipping. Then I stopped, realized I just needed to refocus, and took some time to do just that. And now: forward with focus.

I’m thankful for modern technology and being able to lean on the wisdom of some of the people that I have met through podcasts and their books. This week, it has been John Maxwell, Simon Sinek, and Jim Collins.

In his discussion on the EntreLeadership Podcast, John Maxwell describes his day with legendary coach John Wooden. Hearing a legendary teacher speak about another legendary teacher who he looks up to was fascinating. Hearing how he meticulously prepared for his meeting with Coach Wooden was both impressive and educational. In addition, one of the questions he asks people he meets (and the way he was introduced to Coach Wooden) was “who do you know that I should know?” That simple question can change lives and speaks to the heart of this project; we never know how our lives may change because of the people we meet.

I have been a Simon Sinek fan from the first time I watched his “Start with Why” TEDTalk a few years ago. His perspective and willingness to understand and challenge common approaches to leadership (and life) have been inspiring. I have gained so much from his interviews and speeches; I believe he is one of the premier leadership gurus of this time.

I purchased Jim Collins’ Good to Great and read it a few months ago. I remember listening to him read via his audiobook and having the actual book open in front of me to underline those lessons and values that popped out. It has stayed close as I have been working on my projects as a guide; there are numerous underlined sentences and notes that I have written in the margins.

The bottom line is this: life is all about the people you meet. Sometimes you meet them in person, and I do hope to meet each of these three gentlemen in person. Sometimes you meet them through the words they have written or the speeches they have delivered. And sometimes you meet them through interviews and impromptu conversations they have been a part of. This week, these three gentlemen deposited knowledge, encouragement, and inspiration in me when I needed it most. And I am very appreciative.

If you have met these three men (four including Coach Wooden) in person or via another avenue, then you probably share my sentiment. If not, I hope you take some time to do so; they may change your life.

One final question from me to you:

Who do you know that I should know?

In Service,

David A. Brown-Dawson, 27 May 2017

Mr. W and Forgotten History Fridays

I would like to introduce you to Mr. W and his AP US History class. I invite you to accompany him and his students on their journey to learn about history outside of their textbooks.

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“Who can tell me about the Slocum Massacre?” Mr. W asked to an eager classroom. His 11^th grade students were now sitting up in their seats in anticipation of another “Forgotten History Friday”. The last few minutes of class each week had become a weekly tradition- a chance for the students to learn another piece of history that was not found in their textbooks. Some weeks the lessons were funny, other weeks inspiring. Today though, the students had a sense of dread as Mr. W asked the question, his ominous tone giving a hint of the lesson to come.

“Something bad?” Jenny asked, hesitantly. This garnered a low rumble of laughter from the class, though this was more reserved than normal and it was obvious no one had heard of this event. This did not surprise Mr. W. Unfortunately, he was used to this event being unknown or purposely forgotten over the years. He took a deep breath and started slowly, as this was one lesson he did not want his pupils to take lightly.

“Yes, Jennifer. You are correct. In the first decade of the 20^th century, there grew a community of African-Americans in a city in East Texas, named Slocum.” At this last statement, a groan passed through the classroom, the loudest one coming from Max. He was the class president, class clown, and secretly one of Mr. W’s favorite students. His intelligence was matched by his heart and desire to learn. But, he had just interrupted Mr. W’s lesson which warranted him one of Mr. W’s notoriously harsh inquiries. “Care to explain, Maximus?”

“No Sir, I’ll let you tell it. My apologies.” Max tried to hide his growing frustration by being overly polite.

“Well, don’t hold it in. If you have something to say, share it with the class.” Mr. W. replied, in a more encouraging tone.

“I don’t want to ruin your lesson but early 1900’s in Texas, a majority black community, and the title of the story is the town’s name, Slocum, Massacre. I mean, if I had to guess, I’d say something happened between the black people of Slocum and white people from another town and the black people- either all or most- were slaughtered by the white people. And because we’ve never heard of it, no one was probably ever actually punished for it. It was swept under the rug of atrocities that are no longer spoken of. And those families…” Max’s speech had quickened and at this, his voice was starting to rise. Rather than stop him, Mr. W decided to let him finish his thought. “…Those families probably left their homes, lost their belongings; lost their fathers, brothers, sisters, and mothers. Nobody ever paid reparations and I am willing to bet that no one can or will really say how many people were ACTUALLY killed during this horrendous event.”

The other students in Mr. W’s 11^th grade AP US History class were in stunned silence, looking from Max to Mr. W and back to Max. This wasn’t the first time Mr. W had decided on a tough topic for “Forgotten History Friday” and over the course of the year, the students had become more willing to tackle the tough topics head on. This deduction from Max was yet another reason why Mr. W enjoyed having the young leader in his class.

Mr. W wanted Max’s words to sink in with his classmates, yet he knew those same students were waiting on his validation. With a sad, yet relieved look on his face, Mr. W. finally broke the silence. “Yes class, Maximus is correct on all accounts.” Chatter started immediately, as the students tried to process what they had just heard. Knowing that more questions would follow, Mr. W. tried to calm everyone down. “Alright class, would you like to know the full story?” A unanimous “yes” arose in response. Mr. W proceeded to explain the events that led up to July 29, 1910 in Slocum, Texas.

He described the largely African-American town 100 miles east of Waco, which even had some black-owned businesses. The opposing sentiments of adulation amongst the black community and disbelieving anger amongst the white community after Jack Johnson (an African-American) had defeated James Jeffries (a white man) in the heavy weight world championship. He told the class that that fight was a topic worthy of its own Friday. The lingering bad feelings after a white man tried to collect a disputed debt from a well-respected black citizen. The tipping point for a prominent white citizen coming when a black man was put in charge of gathering people for a road improvement project.

To ensure this stuck with his class, Mr. W quoted from an article discussing the incident, “Rumors spread, warning of threats against Anglo citizens and plans for race riots. White malcontents manipulated the local Anglo population and, on July 29, white hysteria transmogrified into bloodshed.” As he paused for a moment, he noticed the color had been drained from some of his students’ faces.

“Transmogrify?” Benjamin asked quietly, breaking the silence that had swept over the classroom.

“To transform in a surprising or magical matter.” Ade answered, even her normally chipper voice subdued.

“Nothing magical about this.” Geoffrey retorted, his carefree attitude evaporated like water on a hot summer day in West Texas.

Mr. W knew these were tough stories- egregious events- for teenagers to hear. But they were old enough and deserved to know that not everything about this beautiful country was pure and perfect. He went on to tell them about the two-day event in which, according to William Black, Sheriff at the time, “Men were going about killing Negroes as fast as they could find them, and so far as I was able to ascertain, without any real cause. I don’t know how many were in the mob, but there may have been as many as 200 or 300.”

He discussed the 150 African-American ministers that penned a letter to President Taft imploring him to act, and the response from the attorney general. He finished with the trial- no one was ever prosecuted or held accountable. Understanding he may have taken it a bit too far- some students looking sick to their stomachs- Mr. W. wanted to bring everything together before the dismissal bell released his students for the extended weekend.

“You may be wondering why I decided on telling you about this event in history this week. One, it’s history that has been buried and forgotten; unfortunately, some of the recent events have caused me to appreciate the famous quote, ‘those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.’ Two, I want you to understand the significance of this event. In other towns in that region black people make up on average 20 percent of the population; in Slocum, it’s around 7 percent. And lastly, I agree with what is inscribed on the bottom of the historical marker commemorating the event and those lives lost: ‘Only by shining a light on previous injustices can we learn from them and move toward a future of greater healing and reconciliation’. “

He paused, making eye contact with each one of his students. “We need to be aware of the horrendous events that have happened in our country over the years or we will be lulled into a false sense of security instead of continuing to work together to make this a more perfect union, obtaining true equality for all people.”

As if the school bell had decided to let Mr. W impart some final wisdom on his pupils, it rang right as the last syllable sounded. “Have a wonderful weekend, class! Do your own research. And don’t forget your history.” For once, Mr. W was sure this last statement would hold true.

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I hope that from this first episode you understand my purpose behind Forgotten History Fridays. Though the characters are my own creation, the Slocum Massacre is an actual historical event. Any thoughts or constructive feedback is welcome.

-David A. Brown-Dawson, 11 March 2017

Happy Tears – 10 Reasons

I wrote this article in the days following President Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in July of 2016. In light of his time as President and Commander-in-Chief coming to an end, punctuated with his Farewell Address, I figured I’d share my thoughts from a few months ago. While there were a few edits that I wanted to make as I reread the words, I chose to leave the words as I originally wrote them. Here it is:

I shed tears watching President Obama address the nation at the Democratic National Convention. These were happy tears. And here’s why:

Seeing the leader of our nation speak so optimistically yet realistically about the current status and future of our nation is refreshing. Being outside of the country, a lot of what I see with regards to the news is negative and disheartening. And I’ll be honest, the events of the past few weeks had me down. However, our overwhelming response to come together as a nation, to love, and to pray with each other during tough times convinces me that while some may use our differences to divide, it is our acceptance and celebration of our differences that make us THE UNITED States of America.
Seeing an African-American man, the son of an African man and an American woman, in the highest office in America and the leader of the free world, is a powerful thing for me as a young African-American man to see. It is hard to put into words and I may not succeed, but I’ll try. Representation is very important. When I, as a young minority, see a minority (man or woman) in a position of authority and in the highest position of national service, suddenly nothing seems impossible. Nothing seems unreachable with hard work.
While he may have been passing the political torch to Hillary Clinton, it felt like he was passing the torch of leadership and service off to me, and other young men and women like me. We are at a critical time in our country’s history. As he prepares to leave office it seems that he wants to ensure that just as he has tried to improve the nation and set up our generation for success, we are ready and willing to accept the immense task that lies ahead.
The speech made me think of all the amazing people I have met, the great friends I have made, the teachers and coaches that I have learned from over the years. From all ethnicities and backgrounds. It made me reflect on just how blessed I have been throughout my life and how blessed I have been to have lived my life in the United States of America.
He has had to endure a lot and has been in the spotlight over the last 12-plus years and he has been an upstanding citizen. I learned a long time ago not to put people on a pedestal; instead, take the character traits and actions that you admire while understanding that everyone is human. I believe he has chosen to hold himself to the highest standard because he understands how many people look up to him.
He loves his children. My dad is my superman and to see the love that President Obama shows to his children and when speaking about them, reminds me of the love my dad has continually shown me and my siblings over the years.
He loves and respects his beautiful, intelligent, and driven wife. The relationship between President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (who has not aged a day in the last eight years!) is one of friendship, partnership, and love. Knowing that it has not been a perfect marriage, but it looks to be an enduring one- built on a firm foundation- is encouraging. I have seen this love in my own parents growing up and it is beautiful to see it reflected in the leadership of our country.
President Barack Obama has helped forge a path in the road for young black men like me to believe that serving this country in any capacity and at every level is possible. I know he was not the first black senator (Senator Hiram Revels, 1870) or the first black man to be fit for the office of the presidency. Those who are around my age and children across the nation have grown up knowing that any position and every position can be held by a person depending on their character and merit and not the color of their skin. We are getting ever so close to truly realizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream that we would “not be judged by the color of [our] skin, but by the content of [our] character”.
In a time when many of the black men held in high regard are athletes and musical artists, men like President Obama, General Colin Powell, Lieutenant General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Dr. Eric Thomas, and many others show that there are other ways for black men to contribute to society. I mean no disrespect to black athletes and musicians as I know that many of them do tremendous work within their communities. What I mean is that while it’s cool to see a black man known as arguably the most athletic person to step on the court, it is also cool to see a black man with abilities that extend beyond the court. Into the courtroom. And the operating room. And the board room.
I have full confidence in this nation that I love and have dedicated my life to. While there is still work to be done to realize true social justice and true racial equality, we have come so far in the last few decades. We as the current young leaders have the capacity and responsibility to continue and complete the work that those before us started. The progress made shows the tenacity of America and what can be accomplished when we respect each other, listen to each other, and work together to make this a more perfect union.

My hope is that I was able to convey why I am so inspired by Barack Obama. He is my president. He is my Commander-in-Chief. And he looks like me. He looks like us. My heart is full. May God Bless the United States of America.

Signed,

A young man who firmly believes in his country and who truly believes that anything is possible.

David A. Brown-Dawson, 30 July 2016

May God continue to bless the United States of America.

-David A. Brown-Dawson, 14 January 2017

History and Those Who Teach

History is my favorite subject. Being an engineer, I love math. But there is something about learning and understanding history that is both exhilarating and empowering. Over the past few months I have had a hunger for learning more about my family history, the history of the world, and the history of different societies. In doing so, I wanted take a moment to highlight a couple of my favorite history teachers for the tremendous impact they have had on my life, whether they know it or not.

I believe that sometimes we hide from history because we are afraid of what we will find or are embarrassed by something we or our ancestors did. Thanks to my teachers, I gained a realization that it is better to understand history (even the horrible atrocities), than to cling to ignorance and claim that a certain event or action did not happen. Once true history is understood, we can work together in order to ensure that certain atrocities, injustices, and decisions are not repeated. Additionally, we as humans have created ingenious systems and structures, reached amazing physical heights and depths, and completed almost unbelievable feats. Finally, as you understand parts of history, you begin to gain a better understanding of yourself, where you fit in on this planet, and how to better serve in your community and around the world.

From my history classes I learned that while, as the saying goes “the victors write the history”, there are always multiple sides to a story or an event. Depending on where one grows up, there is a tendency to get locked in to this idea that the leaders of that society were perfect and anyone who opposed them were evil. Ms. Laubacher, my 10^th grade World History teacher, showed me that in order to truly understand a situation, it is important to try to see it from both sides. This has translated to me being open to understanding multiple perspectives when hearing a story and in approaching situations. Her passion for history and for educating students came through every day in the history-based activities we would do, the videos we would watch, and the conversations she would initiate.

My 11^th grade AP US History teacher (and Mock Trial coach) Mr. Hill was incredible. His dry, witty humor and hilarious stories kept us captivated and made his tough tests tolerable. He forced us to think. He taught me a lot- not just about the history of our country but about how to approach learning history. He instilled in me that it was important to challenge what is being taught and ask questions until I understand. This is a lesson I took to heart in my approach to learning for the rest of high school, throughout college, and in my current profession. And yes, I was (and still am) that guy who asked a ton of questions (usually good ones).

Unfortunately, these two teachers have retired from their official teaching careers. They dedicated their lives to educating the youth of their community and in my humble opinion, they both did a brilliant job. I know for a fact that they inspired some of their students to become educators and I hope they know how much they are appreciated. While I only highlighted two, I had many amazing teachers, and I know there are a lot of wonderful educators out there today. I challenge you to share your favorite teacher and how they impacted you. I would like to see our educators held up in the high regard they deserve- they have the immense task of educating the leaders of tomorrow.

A sincere thank you to Ms. Laubacher, Mr. Hill, all of my teachers and professors, and to all of you who have chosen to devote your lives to educate others.

-David A. Brown-Dawson, 16 July 2016

thepeoplewemeet

Category: America