Giving the OGs Their Flowers: Celebrating Legends Like Jim Cates While They're Still Here ???

In the heart of Silicon Valley, where innovation buzzes and technology thrives, there's a quiet, often overlooked tradition: waiting until our legends have passed to truly celebrate their contributions. But what if we changed that narrative? What if we started giving the OGs—those Original Giants ?? like James E Cates —their flowers while they can still smell them, hear the applause, and feel the love?

Jim is a tech titan, a pioneer who carved a path through an industry that wasn’t ready for him but desperately needed him. His journey from a large, humble family to becoming one of the few Black executives in a predominantly white tech world is nothing short of extraordinary. Jim’s story is one of resilience, brilliance, and breaking barriers—a narrative that deserves to be celebrated now, not later.

The Call for Change: A New Tradition ??

For too long, society has held back its praise until it’s too late. We’ve been conditioned to deliver our most heartfelt speeches, our grandest accolades, and our deepest respects only in eulogies. This practice not only robs the living of the joy and recognition they deserve but also denies younger generations the opportunity to witness the celebration of living legends and be inspired by their stories.

Imagine a world where Jim, in all his glory, stands on a stage, looking out at an audience that admires him not just for what he’s done but for who he is right now. Imagine the impact of hearing firsthand the applause, the cheers, and the heartfelt words from those who have walked alongside him, those who have followed in his footsteps, and those who aspire to be like him.

Celebrating Jim: The Impact of Acknowledgement ??

Jim’s contributions to technology are monumental. He co-founded the Watson Group at IBM, creating the underlying technologies that have revolutionized artificial intelligence. As the former Global Head of Software R&D at IBM , he led groundbreaking advancements that have shaped the tech landscape. His journey didn't stop there; he served as the CIO at Brocade , Silicon Graphics (RIP), 新思科技 , and Altera , breaking barriers and setting new standards at every turn.

Like me two decades later, Jim faced and overcame racial prejudices, often being the only Black executive in the room. His confidence, vision, and unyielding spirit led him to break barriers and build bridges, not just for himself but for countless others who came after him.

By celebrating Jim now, we do more than honor his past—we affirm his present and inspire future leaders. Acknowledging his achievements while he can still enjoy the accolades strengthens the community, reinforces the importance of diversity, and highlights the crucial role of African American executives in shaping the tech landscape.

The Power of Living Praise ????

Giving flowers to our OGs like Jim while they are still alive is about more than recognition; it’s about building a legacy that others can see and aspire to. When young Black entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts see Jim being celebrated, they see the possibilities within themselves. They understand that their dreams are valid, their struggles are recognized, and their contributions are essential.

Imagine the young coder who, inspired by Jim’s story, decides to push through a difficult project because they saw someone like them succeed. Picture the aspiring executive who, encouraged by Jim’s acknowledgment, decides to step into a leadership role, knowing they belong. This is the ripple effect of giving flowers now—it’s about nurturing a garden of future leaders who believe in their potential because they’ve seen it celebrated in real-time.

Creating a Culture of Celebration ??

Changing the tradition starts with us. It starts with organizations like Musa Capital, which understand the power of storytelling and the importance of honoring our legends while they can still participate in their own stories. It starts with events, newsletters, and community gatherings that make it a point to highlight and celebrate achievements in the here and now.

By giving Jim his flowers today, we set a precedent for a new culture of celebration. A culture where legends are honored in their lifetimes, where achievements are recognized as they happen, and where the stories of resilience, brilliance, and breaking barriers are told and retold, inspiring generations to come.

A Call to Action ????

Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s start a new tradition of celebrating our OGs like Jim while they’re still with us. Let’s give them the stage, the applause, and the recognition they deserve. Because every legend deserves to be honored, not just in memory, but in the vibrant, living present.

In doing so, we don’t just celebrate their past—we pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. And that, my friends, is a legacy worth building.

And speaking of building legacies, Jim’s story doesn’t end here. His legend lives on through his recent startup, Quarrio , where his groundbreaking work continues to push the boundaries of technology and innovation.

This celebration is brought to you by Rely Capital in co-production with Musa Capital . I am honored to serve as the executive producer, with Jerome Palencia of North Bound Films as the producer and director. Our first episode, dropping on Monday features a 30-minute raw and candid conversation with Jim, offering an in-depth look into his remarkable journey and invaluable insights.

A special thank you to my long-time friend, kristy louie , for introducing me to Jim. Your connection has sparked an incredible journey of storytelling and recognition. ??????

Stay inspired, stay hungry, and keep pushing the boundaries.

Keep Pushing On, Things are gonna get better, it wont take long, keep on moving to the top! Make sure you check out this track I'm pumping while writing this, its call "The Delta" from Another Day, Another Dollar, link below, enjoy fam!????

Toby Morning out. ????????????

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