Peace and love family. I am beyond excited to share this next interview in part 1 of the "Black Legacy" interview series titled, "The Black Man Can." This brother, Shadoe Tarver, is really the reason this whole interview series was born. He is my lady's brother. We were sitting at her home back in early February, just chatting. I asked him if he would do an on-camera interview with me, letting him know that I believed his insights and experiences could be beneficial to the world, especially the Black community. Although he declined the on-camera interview, he did later agree to doing a written interview. As I thought about the questions I wanted to ask him, I figured it would be great to share those same questions with other Black men I know.
Family, please be sure to leave a comment and then share this interview with your people. I believe brother Shadoe and I are gonna do some great work together in the not too distant future. Thank you.
Shadoe Tarver is a servant leader and proud Brooklynite. He is a doting son, brother, and uncle. In his pursuit of service to his community he has worked in local government, consulting, philanthropy, and now serves as a Diversity & Inclusion manager at a global corporation. As an entrepreneur, he founded his own consulting practice, dabbled in real estate investments, and even founded a non-profit that serves young men of color in pursuit of college degrees. Shadoe is a rap aficionado, lover of spicy foods, and a fan of the great Lakers, Yankees, and 49ers franchises. He resides in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where he was raised.
Personal Legacy Journey
Q1: Tell us about your upbringing. What early influences shaped who you are today?
A1: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY in the late 80's, so was raised in the 90's. I grew up in a public housing complex in Crown Heights. My mother was a strong, black single-parent who raised five children. I grew up in an apartment with my mother and two sisters, who were closest in age to me. I had a great childhood. While we economically may have been considered "poor," it never occurred to me that we didn't have what we needed. I was a good student and loved school. My mother enrolled us in a local "magnet" school for gifted and talented kids, and we were always involved in extracurriculars. She also took us around NYC to absorb all it had to offer: museums, free events. We traveled far and wide to visit family too. Despite our straits, my mom always tried to show us what was available to us. My horizons constantly expanded, and I took opportunities that were presented to me that other kids around my area probably didn't have. I don't take that for granted.
Q2: What inspired you to pursue your career path? Were there pivotal moments that changed your direction or perspective?
A2: I always wanted to be in service to people, even at a young age. I first wanted to be a doctor, but realized that wouldn't be possible seeing how squeamish I was when I saw my own blood. Then I thought I'd become a lawyer and eventually a politician. Neither of those things happened either, but my course studies led me to eventually work in local government in my hometown, and that's where things kicked off. But I always knew I wanted to give back and make space for others to achieve their goals in life. That guides my work.
Q3: Who have been your biggest role models or mentors, and how have they impacted your journey?
A3: My mom was my biggest role model and hero. She was a force to be reckoned with and never seemed to tire, though she worked nights and spent her days running errands and doing what she needed to for my siblings and I. She was selfless, caring, and loyal to family. Those are qualities I've tried to embody all throughout my life. My other role model was my big brother, Parrish. He was also my hero - I actually wanted to be just like him. I thought my brother was the coolest person in the world. He was strong, funny, good looking - and everyone liked him (or so I thought). I didn't have many male role-models, other than my uncles and my godfather. But my brother's imprint on me was consistent.
I discovered mentors later in life, and they all have helped me in different ways on my journey, especially through school and career. In high school it was Ms. Pinder, who organized student government activities; in college it was my mentor and Psychology professor, Fred. In work, my manager Nanette has been a lifelong mentor. Then my other direct managers have become lifelong mentors as well. They always gave me an opportunity to prove myself, and helped me to course-correct when I inevitably made mistakes. I'm more intentional about who I'd like to be my mentor these days (rather than just getting lucky and finding people, which still happens), and that includes my mentor Dave at work.
Community Impact and Responsibility
Q4: How has your work contributed to the Black community?
A4: As I mentioned before, I always wanted to give back and help create opportunities for my community. I grew up in Crown Heights, but also its neighboring community of Bed-Stuy. It was the largest black neighborhood in America when I was a kid (yes, bigger than Harlem). My mother got us involved in activism early on in our lives. We joined a group called Young Gifted and Black, a pan-African group of concerned neighbors who wanted to help shape young black kids into self-sufficient action and thought leaders. We participated in marches and rallies throughout NYC, including picketing the NYC Board of Education one time. In my adulthood, my greatest work has been working at an anti gun-violence organization called Save Our Streets in Bed-Stuy. They use a public health approach to gun-violence, as opposed to a punitive one, diverting would-be shooters to resources and opportunities. I'm an active member of my company's Black professionals community, and I never turn down an opportunity to help a young person.
Q5: In your opinion, what does Black male leadership look like today, and how can it grow stronger?
A5: Black male leadership is always strong, but I feel in modern times it's very fragmented, like most black movements of the day. While it's obvious that we need more unity; i'm not sure we know how to truly pull that off in a way that benefits the entirety of the Black community in America. Black America is also not a monolith, hence the reason it's so hard to come together under a set of norms and understanding for growth. But we are still connected by our common oppression in this country. Not even the richest, most powerful Black person in America can get away from the fact that they are Black and that's how the world sees them.
Black leaders, especially Black male leaders, need to find more common ground and less reasons to not work together. There are a lot of egos that need to be humbled if we're ever going to make progress. More harmony and less jealousy. Like Jay-Z said: "...what you eat don't make me shit....where's the love?"
Q6: How do you empower others, particularly younger Black men, to succeed and leave their own legacy?
A6: I'm a true believer that knowledge is power and that knowing is half the battle. I believe that if you show people the vastness of opportunity, and give them the tools to make informed decisions, that will help lead them to their own version of success. A good education in fundamentals (like the scientific method) financial literacy, mental and physical wellbeing, civics - these are sorely underrated components of not just making good men, but good people. Teach a man to fish, right?
Black Culture and Heritage
Q7: What does Black culture mean to you?
A7: Black culture is the most imitated, stolen, repurposed culture in the world today. It's just unfortunate that everyone else profits off it more than we do. In the arts, we are tastemakers. But it's more than just hip music, fashion, and deep South culinary traditions. We are an incredibly resilient people who know how to survive and prosper. Even when our history has been hidden from us, we still find ways to reclaim our greatness which is connected to that history. Black culture is a line from our ancestors in Africa, to our fighters in the struggle for equal rights, to poets who preach our values out to the world. Black culture is indomitable.
Q8: How do you stay connected to your heritage, and why is it important for others to do the same?
A8: I seek out community actively and connect with people who are doing things to help move progress forward. I also spend time with family and friends - that part is important. Our natural bonds of blood, as well as our chosen family, keep the culture alive. Keeping fellowship with loved ones ensures the survival of our culture all around the world. It seems simple because it is. What you do within your hearth eventually makes it out into the world, so start at home first.
Q9: What does the word "legacy" mean to you as a Black man?
A9: Leaving the world a better place than how I was brought into it. That's my life's work.
Vision for the Future
Q10: What are your hopes for the future of the Black community?
A10: To be arbiters of our own destiny. Self-sufficiency is at the top of my agenda. The more that we can source what we need, the less we have to rely on others and the more security we'll have. I don't celebrate Kwanzaa as much as I did when I was younger, but I love the 7 principles it espouses. My favorite is Kujichagulia, or self-determination. It's self-evident.
Q11: What advice would you give to young Black men seeking to define their purpose and build a meaningful legacy?
A11: Don't get distracted by the shiny things. But if you do, your path will still be a light to show you the way. Also, don't get so discouraged when things don't happen the way you want them to. Everyone goes through failure, and it makes us stronger. The younger generations have been deluded into thinking that things will come easy - they won't. They never do. So put in the effort. That's the way you'll see rewards. And seek out mentors and sponsors. Find people you admire or respect and connect with them on the regular.
And Black men - please tell each other that you love each other! We believed for too long that "softness" is a weakness. It's actually quite the opposite. Find a structure that is rigid and compare it to one that has a flexible foundation - time will show which one lasts longer, and it's not the former.
Q12: How can we, as a collective, work toward a stronger, united future for Black people?
A12: Find common ground and keep things positive. There's too much hate, anger and anguish in the world. It's easier than ever to find community in the world and yet we are afraid of it. Just seek out people with common interests to start. I like playing basketball and playing chess, and the people I found who like the same things have become fellow partners in entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Again, it's really simple - you just have to have the courage to take that first step and put yourself out there.
Rapid-Fire Insights
Q13: What is your favorite book or movie about Black excellence?
A13: Book - The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates: His foray into fiction was magical, but also deep and instructive. It tells us we all have power within us as Black people.
Movie - The Last Dragon: Leroy Green is a black martial arts master!!! Can't have more excellence than that!
Q14: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A14: You got two ears and one mouth - you should be listening more than you speak.
Q15: What’s one word that describes your legacy so far?
A15: Fortunate
Q16: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A16: Seeing how proud my mother was whenever I got an award from school.
Q17: What was your dream as a child?
A17: To be the first black president. Obama (thankfully) ruined that for me lol. Now that I'm older (and wiser) I'd never want to be President of the United States!
What an inspiration! I truly love the energy Shadoe has in regards to his people, our people. I love how he has positioned himself to be able to make powerful contributions in the lives of those he cares about. I have no doubt that Shadoe will accomplish all he sets out to accomplish.
Remember to leave a comment and share this article with your people. Thank you.
Peace & Love,
Lashawn "Suga Ray" Marston
Founder, Lashawn Marston Enterprises
Shadoe Genesis is a force to be reckoned with, in this and any lifetime. I am proud to call him my brother💜