Finding Purpose Is A Journey, Not A Destination

Most of my life has been centered around sports. Basketball to be more specific. And to be honest, I thought I’d be in and around that world forever.

For years, I slept, ate, and breathed the game. To this day, my closest friends are still the people I met through sports.

So after I was done playing, it was a natural progression and inclination for me to want to tap back into the community that gave so much to me.?

But after some deep reflection throughout these past several months, I've decided to shift my career focus.?

You might not know that my transition from basketball into the professional world started in technology. I've worked for companies such as Apple, GDIT and contracted for government agencies as well.?

Frankly, I never considered tech to be a viable career path. It was just something I fell into. It was my tech gigs that supported my other endeavors as I tried to figure out how to balance entrepreneurship, side hustles, and 9-5s over the past several years.?

In hindsight, every experience I’ve had working in tech has been positive and rewarding. But I realize can't say the same for other minorities I know who have worked in the tech industry.

Diversity within the tech space is a huge problem. It's a global problem, and moreover, a problem I feel compelled to help tackle.?

I've had plenty of conversations with other minority professionals who work in tech in some capacity, and I literally cannot count how many times I've heard people say, “I'm the only one in the company who looks like me” or “I just feel like a diversity hire” or something along the lines.

Many tech companies simply aren’t taking the appropriate steps to source diverse talent nor are they doing much to retain the ones they do hire.

It is statistically proven that ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their peers.

But according to research, more than half, 51%, of business leaders said they struggle to recruit diverse entry-level technology professionals.

Nearly 70% of young tech professionals say they have felt uncomfortable at work based on their identities and lack of inclusion.

It is clear the ecosystem is desperately fragmented.

We live in a world that is completely driven by technology. We interact with different software, platforms, and applications on a daily basis (as you read this article on one) but when have you ever stopped to think about who develops and designs this technology?

In general, we rarely acknowledge the fact that if some of the products we use aren’t representative of what the world looks like, it could have adverse consequences for society as tech becomes more ingrained in our lives.

Recently, I launched HireShift to help combat this issue.?

The mission is simple. We want to help underrepresented talent and tech companies thrive together.

What started off as a newsletter has begun to grow into a community that's dedicated to creating more inclusive workplaces in tech.

Through transparency, trust, and uncomfortable conversations, we're committed to solving this problem for tech companies and underrepresented talent because it is necessary and urgent.?

At the end of the day, I know that sports will always be a part of why I do anything I do. I will always be passionate about the well-being of athletes, there’s no doubt about this. Furthermore, I will continue to be a resource for any athlete who needs me.

In the same instance, I know that life is about growth. It's about evolution and change.

I've learned that purpose is?not a destination. It’s a journey and a practice.?

I struggled to come to terms with the thought of doing something new and different. Then I realized that some of the most successful people our of time started their career doing one thing only to later transition into the thing we respect them for today.

For example, Kanye West started as a music producer, but his Yeezy shoe and clothing collection is what propelled him to build a multi-billion dollar business.?

The Rock started off as a football player in pursuit of the NFL, but he is now the highest-paid actor in the world.

Sara Blakely originally wanted to be a lawyer and started her professional career as a fax machine saleswoman. Her underwear company Spanx recently sold for over a billion dollars.

We don’t know where our lives will take us, but I do know that you can't be afraid to act on new ideas.

You can't be afraid to pivot.

And you can’t let fear deter you from evolving.?

Life is too short to live that way and the world will put you into a box only if you let it.?

I wrote this to inspire you to go out and create whatever you want to. Have the courage to chase a new purpose. Find new problems to solve. Serve humanity.?Let your curiosity drive you.

Most of all, I wrote this to let you know that you’re capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Don’t let anyone limit your potential.?Don't ever let someone tell you what you can't do or be.

With this being said, here’s to 2022 being your best year yet.

Good luck and be well. Let's go get it.

If you're interested in collaborating or learning more, shoot me an email at [email protected]