The Corporate Minister: Recent Episodes
Dwayne Dixon
Our objective is to speak a word of support, encouragement, and healing to Professional Men of Color, as well as to those who love and support them. We also seek to provide a means for others to understand them -- their hopes, dreams, and challenges – in order to bridge the gaps and create a dialogue.
Our guiding principles in these discussions are the Word of God and the love of Jesus Christ. Our bedrock scripture and the one that underpins all of our work here can be found in Matthew 11:28-29 where it is written:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Failure can be debilitating, especially the failure we bring upon ourselves. The failure that comes when we make bad decisions – decisions we knew were bad when we made them and we made them anyway. If we’re not careful, we can internalize the shame of these failures and deem ourselves unforgiveable. This is the second in a 3-part series focusing on mental health and wellness. In today’s episode we focus on forgiving yourself as an essential component of self-care. Scriptural Reference: 2 Samuel 11 : 27 - “When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was displeased with what David had done.” Guest: Rev. Brian Herron, Senior Pastor, https://www.zbcmn.net/ (Zion Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN) Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Covenant-Marriage-Staying-Together-Life/dp/1582293937 (Covenant Marriage: Staying Together for Life) by Fred Lowery Book: https://www.amazon.com/Application-Study-Bible-Personal-Hardcover/dp/1496440110/ (Life Application Study Bible)
The global pandemic has turned so many things upside down. We’ve had to change our attitudes and outlooks on work, play, and social interactions. We’ve also had to learn new skills, approaches, and ways of thinking. But what if there were a silver lining in this dark cloud? Is it possible that those new methods, skills, and thinking might benefit us after the pandemic? In this episode, we discuss how this time represents an opportunity for us to “press reset” and pivot to a new set of promises. Scriptural Reference: Isaiah 43 : 19 - “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Guest: Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr., Senior Pastor, https://www.experiencebmc.org/ (Beebe Memorial Cathedral), Oakland, CA Resources Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://drhames.com/ (Dr. Charley Hames) Book: https://drhames.com/products/exchange (Exchange) by Dr. Charley Hames Book: https://drhames.com/products/notes-from-the-doctor-the-60-day-devotional-treatment-plan-for-the-spirit (Notes From The Doctor) by Dr. Charley Hames Book: https://drhames.com/products/copy-of-exchange (Pressing Reset) by Dr. Charley Hames Video: https://www.mystreamingvideo.net/video/16555 (TD Jakes: Cutting People Off)
“Please place the oxygen mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.” We hear these words before every airline flight. They’re simple but they speak profoundly about the necessity to prioritize our self-care. We often operate under the assumption that in order to be successful leaders, we have to run ourselves ragged. The fundamental truth is that we cannot tend to the needs of others without first tending to ourselves. This is the first in a 3-part series focusing on mental health and wellness. In today’s episode, we focus on self-care and why it’s essential. Scriptural Reference: 1 Kings 19 : 5 - "Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, 'Get up and eat!'" Guest: http://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-p-morgan-64734510 (Dr. Charles P. Morgan), Vice President, Mental Health & Recovery Services, https://www.avivomn.org/ (Avivo) Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Come-Hither-Calling-Children-Overcomers/dp/125842553X/ (Come Hither: God Is Calling His Blood Bought Children To Be Overcomers) by DeVern F. Fromke Book: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Disinherited-Howard-Thurman/dp/0807010294/ (Jesus and the Disinherited) by Howard Thurman Book: https://www.amazon.com/Emotionally-Healthy-Leader-Transforming-Transform/dp/0310494575/ (The Emotionally Healthy Leader) by Peter Scazzero Book: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Man-God-Lessons-David/dp/0800759222/ (The Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David) by Alan Redpath Book: https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Man-Martin-Luther-King-ebook/dp/B07ZYZWPWD/ (The Measure of a Man) by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Book: https://www.amazon.com/Valley-Vision-Collection-Puritan-Devotions/dp/0851512283/ (The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions) by Arthur Bennett
The fear of failure may become a monster that can devour. It can force one into a state of ‘Perfection Paralysis’ that can convince Black men in corporate spaces that they must achieve 100% perfection – to hit a home run every time they come up to bat. In this episode, we discuss these fears and how to take a healthier approach to them, freeing ourselves to grow, thrive, and be whole. Scriptural Reference: 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Guest: https://drfrankathomas.com (Rev. Dr. Frank A. Thomas), Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics and https://www.cts.edu/preaching/people/frank-a-thomas/ (Director of the Academy of Preaching and Celebration), Christian Theological Seminary Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Thomas’ Bookshelf: https://www.amazon.com/Frank-A.-Thomas/e/B001KIBLNQ?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000 (A collection of his writings and reflections) Video: https://youtu.be/KjwD-kzB084 (Dr. Thomas at the Hampton Preachers Conference)
We talk a lot about Fraternities and Fraternal organizations here at The Corporate Minister. In this episode, we explain why. This is the third of a 3 part series on mentoring relationships and here we talk about how to avoid isolation and the benefits that come from connecting to like-minded men. Scriptural Reference: Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10, 12 - “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Guest: https://www.trinitychicago.org/rev-dr-otis-moss-iii/ (Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III), Senior Pastor, https://www.trinitychicago.org/ (Trinity United Church of Christ), Chicago, IL Resources mentioned in this episode: Website: https://unashamedmedia.com/ (Unashamed Media Group) Book: https://www.amazon.com/Road-Back-You-Enneagram-Self-Discovery/dp/0830846190 (The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery) by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile Book: https://www.amazon.com/Inward-Journey-Howard-Thurman/dp/0913408034 (The Inward Journey) by Howard Thurman
“What have you planted into someone else’s life?” This is a selfless perspective on entrepreneurship from this episode’s guest. We spend a lot of time at The Corporate Minister focusing on men working in corporate spaces but this time we look at how entrepreneurs can operate in ways that provide a return to the communities they inhabit. Scriptural Reference: Matthew 25: 14-30 - The Parable of the Talents. Guest: Mr. Karim Hutson, CEO, Genesis Companies Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karim-hutson-9334a/ (Karim Hutson on LinkedIn) https://www.genesiscompanies.com/ (Genesis Companies Website)
"Comfort is not your friend - Connection is." These powerful words from this episode's guest provide the backdrop for our discussion. In this second of a 3-part series on mentoring, we explore how to seek mentors and cultivate those relationships. We also explore how those relationships can enable and equip us to lead in the spaces we occupy. Scriptural Reference: Proverbs 27 : 17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Guest: http://lr3inc.com/dr-james-l-miles-sr-bio/ (Rev. Dr. James L. Miles), Founder, http://lr3inc.com/ (Lodestone R3). Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Resilient-Ministry-Pastors-Surviving-Thriving/dp/0830841032 (Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving) by Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman, and Donald C. Guthrie Book: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Community-Building-New-Participation/dp/1449312063 (The Art of Community - Building the New Age of Participation) by Jono Bacon Concept: https://hbr.org/2014/01/what-vuca-really-means-for-you (VUCA - Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) Concept: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policy_entrepreneur (Policy Entrepreneurship & Three Streams) by John Kingdon
I recently came across these words in an online article: “Sixty-five is my rite of passage to elderhood, a place of willful obligation to family and community. The benefits I have been blessed to receive come with an immense obligation to the others around me. Anything less would be the epitome of disrespect to those who walked this journey before me.” I decided to reach out to the author, Rev. Raymond Jetson, and this episode is the result. This is the first in a 3-part series on mentoring and it’s a powerful discussion about how we can share our accumulated knowledge, wisdom, and perspectives. Scriptural Reference: Titus 2:2 – “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” Guest: Rev. Raymond A. Jetson, Founder and CEO – https://metromorphosis.net/ (MetroMorphosis); Former Pastor - Star Hill Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, LA Resources mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.raymondajetson.com/ (Raymond A Jetson) Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Live-Forever-Connecting-Generations/dp/1541767810 (How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations) by Marc Freedman Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Like-Leonardo-Vinci/dp/0440508274 (How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day) by Michael J. Gelb
Being a leader can be a lonely road, especially in a work setting. You are a steward of your company’s resources including time, money, and people – especially people. One of the many things a leader is responsible for is making the hard decisions and usually, “The Buck Stops Here.” That can make for a very lonely existence. In this episode, we discuss how to address that loneliness and be a more effective leader. Scriptural Reference: II Corinthians 4:1 - “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.” Guest: Bishop Joseph Walker, III, Senior Pastor - Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, TN Resources mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.josephwalker3.org/ (Joseph Walker III) Book: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Loneliness-Dr-Joseph-Walker/dp/0998776602 (Leadership and Loneliness) by Bishop Joseph Walker, III Book: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Couple-Destiny-Creating-Matters/dp/1426711980 (Becoming a Couple of Destiny: Living, Loving, and Creating a Life that Matters) by Bishop Joseph and Dr. Stephanie Walker
How often do you get an unsolicited connection request on LinkedIn? Maybe an email where you're introduced to someone by a mutual acquaintance. Do you answer them, put them aside, or blow them off? In this episode, we explore how those connections can be "God moments" where we can let the love of Christ shine through us to bless others. Scriptural Reference: 1 John 3:17 - “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” Guest: Rev. Willie Cooper, Chief Information Officer - Samaritan Ministries International Resources Mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Die-Three-Keys-Work/dp/0061373672 (Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life) by Alan Deutschman Book: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Men-What-Women/dp/1982101288 (The Truth About Men: What Men and Women Need to Know) by DeVon Franklin
Taking care of yourself physically is important any time but especially in this current season. Unfortunately, our cultural attitudes about food can sometimes conflict with what we’ve come to know about how to stay healthy. Other times, we simply don’t have the opportunity or the bandwidth to make healthy choices. In today’s episode, we spend time unpacking some biblical perspectives on taking care of our physical selves. Scriptural Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Guest: Rev. Dr. Marcus Davidson, Senior Pastor - New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Resources mentioned in this episode: Website: https://chaamps.com/ (Center for Healthy African American Men through Partnerships (CHAAMPS)) Website: https://www.balmingilead.org/ (Balm In Gilead) Book: https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Nutrition-Christine-Prescott/dp/1632693216 (Spiritual Nutrition) by Christine Prescott
"You can’t be as good as, you have to be better than” or “You have to work twice as hard to get half as much.” Sound familiar? Those are the expectations that many of us were raised with. Unfortunately, those are super-human expectations and you are only human. Where do you go when the burdens of superhuman expectations become too heavy? In today's episode, we deal with healthy ways to lighten that load. Scriptural reference: Matthew 11: 28-30 - “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Guest: Rev. Dr. Curlee Adams, Senior Pastor - St. Paul CME Church, Chicago IL Resources mentioned this episode: Website: https://www.galileanministries.com/ (Galilean Ministries) Book: https://www.amazon.com/Unmasking-Lone-Ranger-Frank-Wilson/dp/1565078527 (Unmasking the Lone Ranger) by Frank Wilson
These are worrisome and uncertain times. As we deal with the Coronavirus, social distancing, uncertainty, and flat-out fear, the need for us to step forward as leaders is very important. In this episode, we deal with the necessity of, and the ways for, Men of Color to step forward and serve as leaders. These times call for us to lead in our communities, our places of business, and our homes. Additionally, we need to make sure to take care of ourselves -- physically and mentally. Scriptural reference: Esther 4:14 - “ ... Who knows if perhaps you were placed in your position for just such a time as this?” Guest: Bishop Dwayne Royster, Senior Pastor - Faith United Church of Christ, Washington, DC. Resources mentioned in this episode: Website: https://faithuniteddc.com/ (Faith United Church of Christ) Website: http://faithinaction.org/ (Faith In Action) Website: https://powerinterfaith.org/ (Power) Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/204177/jesus-and-the-disinherited-by-howard-thurman/ (Jesus and the Disinherited) by Howard Thurman
In this episode, we explore the need and value of Black Men supporting one another through connections and connectivity. Sometimes it's through Fraternities, sometimes its through long-term relationships, sometimes its through new friendships. Regardless of the length or conduit, these relationships are necessary for validation and support. Scriptural reference: Psalm 133 - “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Guest: Rev. Brian Murray, Pastor - New Covenant Community United Church of Christ, Baltimore MD