Check out Caldwell’s powerful memoir, The Day My Brother Was Murdered: My Journey Through America's Violent Crime Crisis.

He emphasizes that learning should be continuous, not a one-time event, and explores how peer learning, mentorship, innovation, and entrepreneurship can empower youth to solve problems and navigate systems that often work against them. Andre highlights the value of investing in people, expanding one’s worldview, and playing the long game—calling for a new approach to supporting the next generation with more than just programs, but with real purpose and connection.

Moreover, they explore the relevance of skin color in society, the impact of racial categories on education and achievement gaps, and the importance of influential figures in the civil rights movement. They discuss the complexities of multiculturalism, the need for a focus on individual merit over racial identity, and the challenges faced by the next generation. Williams shares personal anecdotes and advice for young people navigating societal expectations and inequalities, emphasizing the importance of hard work and intellectual achievement.

Duncan discusses the profound influence of Thomas Sowell on his life and work, particularly in the context of creating a one-man show about Sowell. They explore Sowell’s journey from a high school dropout to a revered economist and intellectual, emphasizing the importance of culture, personal responsibility, and the need for evidence-based thinking. Duncan shares insights on how Sowell’s ideas can empower the next generation, encouraging young people to think for themselves and not be constrained by societal narratives.

Devon discusses the complexities of racial representation in corporate America, the shifting dynamics of equity and inclusion, and the potential impact of AI on the legal profession. He reflects on cultural changes in sports, the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions on education, and offers advice to the younger generation about authenticity and opportunity.

Darius Jones discusses the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the complexities surrounding identity and opportunity, and the importance of merit in the black community. He emphasizes the need for innovative strategies to navigate new opportunities and the significance of guarding one's mental space. Darius also shares insights on influential figures in the black community and offers advice for the next generation, highlighting the power of thoughts in shaping reality.

He also discusses his resignation from academia due to the challenges posed by the prevailing woke culture. He emphasizes the importance of agency and self-reliance, arguing against the victim narrative often promoted in academic circles. Smith expresses optimism about shifts in corporate America and the need for mentorship programs that truly support diverse individuals. He advocates for a rethinking of diversity and inclusion initiatives, suggesting a focus on racelessness and individual agency instead.

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Dr. Scott believes fatherhood is critical to human flourishing and explains that policymakers need to address what is causing the absences of fathers, particularly in African-American communities. Watch the full episode to hear the impact that a ninth-grade English assignment had on his academic development and to hear his words of advice to “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Shelby describes how white guilt – the idea that white people today are guilty of all past historical injustices – is the most powerful force in western culture. Watch the full episode to hear Shelby describe the impact this has on black America and to hear his words of advice to “Darryl.”

James shares how his upbringing in a majority white neighborhood inspired him to “bulldoze through” any misguided racial stereotypes and fueled his desire to succeed in both technology and business. Watch the full episode to hear James describe the impact that a summer job had on his personal development and to hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Scott's passions go beyond the workplace. He imagines a world where children are encouraged to dream and cultivate their own greatness so they can confidently bring what makes them extraordinary to the world. Watch the full episode to hear Scott describe how a near-death experience shaped his perspective and to hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Originally on track to become a professional violinist, Barry switched gears and attended Yale University after a friend explained that he could share stories using his art in ways that do not necessarily appear to be about art. Following a few years on Wall Street, Barry attended Harvard Business School where he wondered what would happen if he intersected his business training with the world of story-telling. This sparked his beginning at The Walt Disney Company and later at Black Entertainment Television as President of a Microsoft joint venture. Watch the full episode to hear Barry describe why “the journey of life” is about being content with not always knowing what comes next, and to hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Later, Ted shares his concern that, today, terms like “structural racism” and “critical race theory,” which originated in the academy and have very specific meanings, have been weaponized by both sides of the political aisle and used to divide Americans. He also explores why institutions like faith, family, and education have lost the trust of so many vulnerable Americans and how we can restore strong institutions that propel the uplift of a new generation. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Ted’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Ward shares the core principles that led him to fight for equal rights for all Americans, and he shares why he is deeply concerned that affirmative action policies have reinforced the wrongful belief that black Americans’ accomplishments could not have existed outside of preferential treatment under the law. Later, Ward argues that growing conversations centered on “equity” are undermining our nation’s commitment to “equality” as the founders understood it. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Ward’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Bob unravels how the G.I. Bill is an example of a successful government effort to empower vulnerable Americans to pursue a better life. The G.I. Bill helped millions of Americans who had failed to access quality education in their youth access much-needed support to build a new, successful life through military service. It offered service men and women a chance to pursue higher education without restrictions on universities or areas of study, which helped usher in a burgeoning black middle class. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Bob’s journey toward founding 1776 Unites.

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, David shares the work he is doing to reform policing in Washington state and his vision for a renewed relationship between police and the communities they serve. David believes that police have lost the trust of communities with high rates of crime. Recognizing that good policing cannot happen without the consent of a community, David believes there are steps policymakers must take to reform their methods of contact with community members and build trusting relationships. However, he also argues that calls to “defund” the police are ineffective and unhelpful. Per David, we need more and better policing, not less. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about David’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Later, Yaya shares his pathway from teaching to studying Al Qaeda’s recruitment techniques as a counterterrorism expert at the CIA, and how the teachings of W. Deen Mohammed helped him develop a proper sense of patriotism. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Yaya’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Later, Jonathan shares what he has learned from his recent battle with a stroke. Jonathan’s journey of recovery over the past few years has inspired him to advocate for greater awareness among black men around the risks of stroke and lifestyle changes that can minimize a person’s risk of stroke. Chief among these lifestyle changes is sleeping more. When Jonathan was a student at Harvard Law School, it seemed perfectly normal to only sleep a few hours each night — but Jonathan has since learned that such a small amount of sleep is not nearly sufficient. Today, Jonathan is a strong believer in getting at least seven hours of sleep a night. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Jonathan’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Later, Charles discusses how his work with Seeking Educational Excellence (SEE) is paving pathways to power for black boys and girls by advocating for quality STEM education in schools. In the words of Charles, “how you see a problem will dictate the methods you use to fix it.” SEE believes the core problem of poverty in minority communities is an insufficient pipeline funneling black men and women into great jobs — so they help more black boys and girls access a quality STEM education. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Charles’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, David discusses how to restore a culture of strong and involved fatherhood in America — especially within impoverished communities. David laments the dearth of adults who have built strong families that are willing to invest in young men and women in impoverished communities. He calls on more role models to build ministries and community outreach programs to speak truth to kids who are struggling to identify the best path for their lives. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about David’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Of increasing concern to Delano is the tendency of elites today to “raise the ceiling while giving lip service to the floor.” Specifically, Delano laments how many elites project language of oppression and avoid discussing central challenges like fraying families and communities, even as they build strong and stable families in their own lives. Delano responds to this challenge by calling on men who care more about their communities than their public reputation to speak publicly about the importance of fatherhood. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Delano’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men.

Chris also shares how his school’s emphasis on providing all students with exposure to holistic opportunities in academic, athletics, and music at a young age opened the door for Chris to identify his passion for athletics. In particular, it was one little league football coach who shaped Chris’s love for sports through his quiet, character-based approach to coaching. Tune in to the full episode to learn more of Chris’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, John discusses prevailing expectations for black scholars and leaders to speak primarily about issues of race, despite their other interests and expertise. As an academic at heart, John finds great joy in growing and deepening his work in Linguistics apart from conversations on race. Yet, he continues to weigh in as an authority on such issues out of a sense of duty — because the challenges facing Americans today are serious and American children need to be taught to develop a sense of purpose, identity, and agency rooted in their own personhood, even in the midst of any barriers they might face. Tune in to the full episode to learn more of John’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Andy discusses the role colleges should have in facilitating free and civil discourse across the ideological spectrum today. Contrary to the strict enforcement of intellectual orthodoxy happening on some campuses, Andy believes liberal arts colleges should be the best places in America to engage in respectful dialogue on the most difficult and contentious questions of the day. Colleges should cultivate an environment where differences of opinion are the starting point of conversations, not the endpoint. And students should feel free to share their true viewpoints while also carrying an open-minded spirit and a willingness to have their minds changed. Tune in to the full episode to learn more of Andy’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Myron brings a surprise guest on the show: A young man named Cory who Myron has been mentoring for several years after first meeting in church choir. Cory shares with Ian and Nique how Myron’s mentorship helped him identify a passion for business, architecture, and design and pursue a college degree that would open doors for him to build a career in those fields. When asked about how he reconciles narratives of black victimhood with the examples of successful black Americans, Cory offers the following words of wisdom: “If God is with us, then who is against us? So what are we settling for?” Watch the full episode here to hear more about Myron and Cory’s stories.

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Lee discusses his experience in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter decided to boycott the Summer Olympics in Moscow — dashing Lee’s hopes of becoming both a multi-time world champion and an Olympic champion. Tune in to the full episode to learn more of Lee’s story and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

One crucial part of James’ early story: witnessing his mother exemplify a remarkable spirit of grit and resiliency as she rejected welfare benefits available to a single mother like her and got a job as an insurance agent to build a better future for her children. Later, James discusses the importance of overcoming prevalent racial narratives that instill feelings of helplessness and undermine personal agency. James has done so by fixing his mind on the open doors in front of him, and not the closed doors — keeping a steady focus on his own goals and the opportunities within his reach rather than ruminating over the barriers that stand in his way. Tune into the full episode to hear more about James’ story and his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Cliff shares one pivotal moment in his life: Stepping away from his home in the south side of Chicago to attend a science fair downstate where he was inspired by many high achieving students. This set him down a path of constant self-improvement and dedication. Watch the full episode to discover the advice Cliff has for “Darryl” in 2020.

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Barry also shares the unique challenges he faced as a black student at Harvard in the 1960s — and the power he experienced by embracing his race in the predominately white arena of Harvard. Watch the full episode to discover the advice Barry has for “Darryl” in 2020, and to learn why Barry has adopted the habit of writing a letter to his children each year.

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of “The Invisible Men,” please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Rav discusses instances of racism he has experienced in recent months from progressive actors who claim that Rav is pushing an “alt right” agenda by challenging prevailing ideologies on white privilege and racism. Some people have gone so far as to label Rav “self-hating” for adhering to his beliefs. Watch the full episode to learn more about Rav’s story and hear his advice for “Darryl” in 2021.

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Later, Troy discusses his upbringing and shares how a deep faith commitment helped him find a moral rooting in something much larger than himself and taught him that, while he cannot control how other people view him, he does have control over how he carries himself. Troy notes the importance of teaching black children these principles as they face acts of discrimination that may feel paralyzing. Further, Troy argues that we must help children connect with examples of successful men and women who can broaden their understanding of what is possible for them to achieve.

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Contrary to these ideologies, Reilly has been inspired by economist and public intellectual Thomas Sowell to focus on social and behavioral characteristics that can engender the uplift of a new generation. He highlights a striking diversity of outcomes between ethnic groups within the same race that suggests a more complicated picture. In other words, careful analysis reveals that family, faith, free enterprise, and hard work do still matter. Why is this viewpoint scarcely acknowledged in the public narrative? Reilly suggests that political and ideological uniformity in academia has caused a stagnation of ideas and resistance against non-traditional theories. Tune into the full episode to learn more about Reilly’s book, Hate Crime Hoax, and hear his words of advice for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men.

Later, Vernon shares how he grew into an entrepreneurial mindset in his own life. From running a paper route in middle school to being inspired by “Puppy Combs” to start a successful party-promotion venture in college, a few early touchpoints inspired Vernon to pursue entrepreneurship as a long-term career. Importantly, Vernon’s life journey has closely mirrored the characteristics of successful black men outlined in Brad Wilcox and Ronald Mincy’s “Black men making it in America” report — from following the success sequence closely to participating in a faith community and serving in the military. Watch the full episode to hear more of Vernon’s story and find out what his advice to “Darryl” is.

Later, Gervase shares a deeply personal and powerful story about how he found freedom by embracing forgiveness in the wake of a deeply traumatic experience. Gervase now believes widespread forgiveness is the key to generating cultural and political renewal — especially in countries with a long history of injustice like Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. Gervase holds this belief so firmly that he advocated for forgiveness on the TEDx stage just few years ago. Watch the full podcast to hear Gervase’s story and what advice he has for “Darryl” in 2020.

Please find Gervase’s TEDx talk at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ-NkuFlibI

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

One crucial element to Ralph’s journey: having a person outside of his family—in this case, a nun teaching at a Catholic school Ralph attended—show genuine interest and investment in his success. Ralph also shares how one lunch he had in high school with a successful black executive demystified success and helped him internalize the possibility of upward mobility in his own life. Tune in to hear Ralph’s words of wisdom for “Darryl.”

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men

Glenn was raised on the south side of Chicago in a working-class family. Despite some obstacles in his youth, a professor at his community college discovered Glenn’s academic gifts and helped him gain admittance to Northwestern University. At Northwestern, a world of opportunity opened to Glenn, but his road to success wasn’t easy. With three children to father, a full-time class load, and a full-time job at night to balance, Glenn’s story is a testament to the power of grit in helping people surmount steep obstacles. Looking back, Glenn’s advice to similar Americans looking to build a better life is to find a spiritual foundation for their life and anchor key life decisions to the “success sequence.”

Today, Ian and Nique have resurrected “The Invisible Men” as a video podcast. In their inaugural episode, Ian and Nique share their inspiration behind launching “The Invisible Men” documentary in the 90s and discuss why — 30 years later — their message of agency and empowerment is needed more than ever.

Integral to the story of “The Invisible Men” is “Darryl,” a 16 year-old black teenager Ian and Nique imagined in the original documentary, who lives in the urban city of Forgotten, USA and desires to build a better life for himself but sometimes feels that success is out of his reach. Ian and Nique asked each of the men in their original documentary to advise “Darryl” on how he can forge a path to excellence and empowerment. Join Ian and Nique today for episodes of “The Invisible Men” every week as they hear the stories of incredible men and learn what advice they have for “Darryl” in 2020!

Note: If you would like to see all episodes of The Invisible Men, please go to: www.invisible.men