Black American culture, forged in the fires of resilience, has given the world immeasurable gifts: jazz, hip-hop, the civil rights movement, and countless innovations in art, literature, and science. Yet within this brilliance lies a dichotomy. The glorification of success often becomes tied to entertainment and athletics, eclipsing the quieter triumphs of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.
Tomorrow marks four years since Thoughts Cost began with one student and a mission to create meaningful change during the uncertainty of the pandemic. From humble beginnings with no plan or income, we have grown into a movement that builds programs, develops EdTech tools, and secures state-level contracts to empower students, families, and educators. This journey has been defined by resilience, creativity, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
The recent settlement involving TD Bank, where the institution paid over $3 billion to avoid prison time for laundering hundreds of millions tied to drug trafficking, exposes the glaring double standard in America’s justice system. While individuals in Black and Brown communities are incarcerated for far smaller drug-related crimes, TD Bank executives walk away with fines and no jail time. This disparity highlights how corporations are shielded from the consequences that ordinary people face and points to the need for education and financial literacy in our communities, as Dr. Amos Wilson emphasized, to avoid the systemic exploitation that traps so many.
The Black community can gain economic empowerment by building grocery chains similar to H Mart and Uwajimaya, which have successfully combined business with cultural preservation. Drawing on Dr. Amos Wilson’s ideas from Blueprint for Black Power, we must take control of industries that serve our communities and keep wealth circulating within them. This could lead to greater economic independence, job creation, and a renewed sense of community for Black Americans.
he Wayans family’s use of satire was not just about laughs, it was about reclaiming Black identity from limiting stereotypes. Keenan and Damon challenged the idea of being the "safe" Black man, while Marlon and Shawn refused to fit into any mold at all. Together, they showed that true representation is not about conforming to someone else’s expectations but about being fully authentic.
Discrediting Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell because the league was only 20% Black is ignorant. These men were pioneers, enduring racism, death threats, and media attacks while dominating the NBA. Clyde Frazier has spoken about the racism Black players endured well into the 1980s. Today’s NBA, where players stay at luxury resorts, exists because Wilt, Russell, and others fought for dignity and equality. The NBA is 80% Black because of their efforts, on and off the court. Respect your elders. The game would not be what it is today without them.
Anthony Washington, Educator/Business Owner, founded Thoughts Cost in 2020. Since then, he has navigated the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship, learning the importance of not relying solely on grants and state contracts. With a focus on developing innovative EdTech products, Anthony is committed to revolutionizing education while balancing the challenges of growing his business and managing personal financial needs.
True power comes from what you own, not what you manage for someone else. Dame Dash didn’t just work for a paycheck, he built something that many are still profiting from today. He is a legend, and it’s time we start treating him like one. I know we joke about stuff, and I get that sometimes we make light of serious issues. But I’m talking about the people who genuinely enjoy seeing these guys fall, who take joy in it for all the wrong reasons. There’s a difference between cracking a joke and reveling in someone’s downfall. It’s corny to take pleasure in the struggles of a man who has done so much, especially when those struggles stem from the very system he fought to rise above.
I don’t prefer one style of basketball over the other. I love the game. But the argument that today’s NBA is better just because it looks flashier? I can’t stand that. Just because something looks better doesn’t mean it is better. It’s still hoop, no matter the era.
Culturally responsive practices are often integrated only at a surface level in special education. Brief professional development sessions leave educators with an incomplete understanding, which is insufficient to address the complex needs of students from marginalized communities. Without deeper systemic changes, these efforts risk being more performative than impactful.
