Hi Ola,

Thanks most kindly for your response.

With regard, I don’t expect you to have read my other work, which addresses BLM issues and how I feel about them. This particular story spoke to a level of helplessness as it pertained to one particular Black friend I’d only just met. I didn’t have the advantage of years of intimacy, which might have allowed me to better navigate her pain. As it was I did.

The larger story, which is expressed in my writing, speaks to where I stand on race, and the reasons why I feel so strongly and have indeed dedicated a great deal of time and most of my career to issues of diversity. And why, at 67, still do. I’m not new to allyship, albeit it had a different name decades ago.

You are kind to reach out; you’re right in that you heard some real pain. But not about BLM or feeling helpless. Most of my career and still today the work I do involves promotion of minority interests and businesses. You’re right- most folks have no idea. I could always do more, but even so, I already do a lot. Walking in protests isn’t my thing. Working to create economic power is. Not as flashy, no Instagram moments, and hard slogging work.

There are a few pieces I’ve also written about what people can do. As you said, it’s going to depend on each of us, and how willing we are to put skin in the game. I have my entire life. Which is why the nicest (okay the only) compliment I got this year was that I am not surprised by Black brilliance. It’s everywhere. And I’m very fortunate to have plenty of it in my closest circle of friends.