20 Minutes of Sanity: Gratitude, Goals, and the Guinea Pig Experience #9

"Happy writing..." said Alex as I wrapped up a conversation with her to embark on another entry into this wild journalistic ride.

It feels like today I must reflect on the commentary and sincere gratitude that I have for the followers of this daily doctoral journal. From my classmates, to my work colleagues, personal friends, donors and supporters, and so many other connections—I truly appreciate you 1) taking the time to read and share feedback and opinions on how this work resonates with you and 2) for helping hold me accountable to this writing challenge for what feels like the foreseeable future. We are going to be here a while folks, and I will grow fatigued (as may you too), but hold on—there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Since there is light at the end of the tunnel, I thought I'd jump back to where we started nine (business) days ago when this journal began. I discussed where I am in the project by sharing percentages of where my research and writing have landed me toward my end goal—which is the 5-chapter structured applied research project. Today, I thought I'd address some of the questions I've received in my DMs regarding the doctorate in philanthropic leadership at Indiana University, my take on the program after being 15 months in, my 'why' and my 'how' as a husband, father, full-time fundraiser, and civic-minded leader in my 'communities'.

The Program:

• IU has been good to me. I searched for the best program as I knew I would take my education to the highest level being a self-proclaimed 'life-long learner'. I thought it would be a PhD (but I did not want to be bound to the academic life or a classroom/research), maybe an Ed.D. (but as an educator, I knew that I did not identify as just an educator), maybe a DBA (but I didn't want to leave out some of the social sciences I so appreciate in my work). There was even an MBA/Ed.D that I applied for, but withdrew from, because it just wasn't the right school/fit. I prayed, waited, and found the first ever asynchronous doctorate in philanthropy and knew this was exactly what I desired. For me, it's been the creativity that I've been able to craft through my topic on addressing underfunding at HBCUs that have placed me in the right space to collect everything I just mentioned in education, business, Black studies, and philanthropy all in one space. It's been a joy. It's challenging being the first—you're a bit of a guinea pig, but it's worth the effort every day knowing that you are laying the foundation for the change that the world needs to see through the leadership of philanthropy.

As I begin to think about addressing the remaining questions, I pause and hear my baby boy making short squealy noises through the baby monitor. I also recognize that 20 minutes flew by fast, so I'll pause this note, pick up my 'why' and 'how' another day and end with this:

For so many little Black boys and girls, getting a doctorate is the holy grail. We have learned through accounts of history that education is the great equalizer. This is embedded through my ARP and why I am doing what I'm doing. We've (Blacks/HBCUs) for far too long been marginalized and systemically funneled towards oppressive states of being and I cannot let this perpetuate if I am able to take actionable steps during my time on Earth to make an imprint on what I view as 'right'.

So much more to be said, but it's been 20 minutes and I need to study for the next two hours. That baby went back to sleep too. Thank God.

Dex