Black History Month typically focuses on the courage and fortitude found in heroes who have overcome hardships and pathos endured by generations. Past suffering, prejudices, inequities, and injustices should always be remembered so as not to be repeated. Thus, a better future can be created for everyone.
Blue Zones Project (BZP) Community Program Manager for Pottawatomie County, John Bobb-Semple, inspirationally shared his uncommonly interesting background with colleagues during “Feel Good Friday”—a meeting that brings together virtually BZP teams from across America. Highlighting the heterogeneity of his experiences while pointing out that everyone has a story to share, he created a rich emotional experience for all. Black History Month should help everyone view each other without stereotyping as to race, religion, or ethnicity but rather as a celebration of diversity and individuality. John graciously shared his family’s powerful three-continent diasporas, resulting in a loving, inclusive, and joyful life.
The intersection of thought, faith, and attitude creates diverse and healthy experiences for groups, cultures, and ethnicities. Characterizing any one entity as homogeneous is not only inaccurate but also robs individuals of their rights to follow and display their own beliefs.
Mr. Bobb-Semple shared adorable pictures of himself and his brothers in a play setting with Lincoln Logs as well as in a youth group that nurtured young people of many backgrounds. Describing life as a bowl of “gumbo” is a vivid metaphor that captures much of what is good in America today.
John Bobb-Semple and his brother circa 1990.
John’s previous experience as a senior leader with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma helped countless food insecure folks. Admirably, this institution was also a second chance employer. Helping previously incarcerated individuals with worthwhile work while reacclimating to life beyond bars is a noble deed, while still a difficult challenge. John shared an inspirational story of resilience about one such individual as another example of celebrating ethnic diversity.
The Blue Zones Project helps ethnically diverse people across the socio-economic spectrum. As Community Program Manager, John guided already altruistic and self-motivated professionals to focus on finding people who are hiding in plain sight. These “camouflaged” people could either be givers or receivers. Connecting the two groups is noble work.
From Left to Right: Blue Zones Project colleagues Lindsay Goodson, John Bobb-Semple and Korie Perez
John taught me, and perhaps others, a new word of Louisiana French origin, “lagniappe” meaning a bonus. Raising awareness with a lagniappe, John shared these three questions:
- How can we see black people as unique individuals with a shared lived experience and culture?
- What joy in your life is hiding in plain sight?
- Life is like gumbo. What joy can you add to your pot?
Our nation, and indeed our world, is composed of people representing a mosaic of ethnicities, faiths, heritages, and other diverse characteristics. Acknowledging the importance of nurturing all groups help everyone, as we are only as good as the worst of us. The current excellent historical example is Black History Month which was initiated in 1915 to remind everyone of the abomination of slavery and mistreatment of humans. Understanding the past to avoid repeating the horror that led, in part, to a Civil War is equally important today. Presently, we can help heal an acrimoniously divided nation, one that leads the free world, by recognizing everyone’s individuality.