Author: MH3

The journey is the reward. That’s what we are told from an early age and led to believe, and quite frankly, it is highly believable and genuine. Often, the visceral reward of the fight, the struggle, and the effort is more exhilarating than crossing the finish line and asking, now what? As you reflect on the podium, the triumph, and the promotion, and share your regaling story with the others, your language focuses on the highs and lows, the moments, and the memory steps. 

If so, why do we view milestones, holidays, and recognized calendar moments as the end state? Until last week, I knew that was how I viewed Emancipation Day in Canada. That some two hundred years ago, the slaves were freed, and off my forebearers went to deal with other kinds of injustices. However, being enslaved was not one of them. But my perception, my false beliefs, and my misguided conclusions were blown to bits by the words of Kike Ojo-Thompson, our keynote speaker at Unbounded on August 7th – A Black Talent Initiative. Ojo-Thompson educated me and everyone around me that Emancipation is an ongoing process that requires daily commitment. She spoke of advocates as tree planters who work today so that future generations can enjoy the shade the planters may never sit under. And she put language to an experience too often overlooked: misogynoir, the unique discrimination faced by Black women, making clear that equity work must be expansive enough to reach everyone. Walking into a room and knowing you’ll leave changed is a fantastic day. Kike changed my thinking about Emancipation Day forever. 

I now understand that Emancipation is a process. It requires the investment and sacrifices of those who understand that, despite what the law says, there is a particular group of people who are not free. Our people must work defiantly yet strategically to fight for the equality we have been denied and the privileges we are owed. Unbounded was designed to bring together Black leaders, allies, and community builders for an Emancipation Celebration to live up to its name. However, the echoing words of our keynote made me realize that Unbounded needs to be a verb, not a noun. That realization on an afternoon filled with insight, artistry, and conversations left this individual tirelessly energized and accountable.

Kike Ojo-Thompson, the keynote speaker at Unbounded, is a relentless fighter who has not retreated from her life’s work. As founder of the KOJO Institute, she has spent two decades guiding organizations toward equitable outcomes, working with the Toronto District School Board, Loblaw, TD Canada Trust, and World Vision. Her leadership has created tangible change, from helping to end Ontario’s carding practice to creating a groundbreaking Anti-Black Racism Practice Framework for the province’s child welfare system. A year ago, she announced that KOJO Institute has joined Deloitte Canada, and Kike took on the role of Partner in Human Capital (Workforce Transformation).

Also at Unbounded, I learned from a fantastic panel that Emancipation can mean community. On the panel, Garrison Thomas, founder of GTalks, challenged us with a powerful question: how do you connect with people you’ve never met, and may never meet? His life’s work is rooted in using personal stories to open pathways of understanding. He’s taken lessons from the basketball court, the boardroom, and the classroom to create spaces where empathy leads to change. That ability to make an impact ripple beyond our immediate circles is a skill and a responsibility.

Nadine Williams, poet, author, educator, and cultural ambassador, brought lyrical truth to the discussion. She spoke about how breaking bread with someone can lower even the highest walls. She reminded us that we all have blues in our lives; they appear in different shades. Her reframing of ambition as investment rather than sacrifice struck many chords; seeing your dreams as something you are building into, rather than giving up for, changes your relationship to the work. Host Faith-Ann Allison, a Gen Z leader who embodies hustle, talent, and purpose, brought the day to life. She showed how joy and professionalism can sit side by side, each amplifying the other. 

Our Unbounded celebration also included moving tributes and amplification through lyrics, music, song and dance. The performances by Shalom Blue and the Riddim Fit Dancers carried the cultural heartbeat of the event, reminding us that art and movement are also forms of advocacy.

I left Unbounded with three convictions sharpened. Combating racism, bigotry, and prejudice is a 365-day commitment. People find strength in community; some gain strength by being that community for others. And the seeds we plant today matter whether or not we’re the ones to sit under their shade.

Have you ever been in a meeting when lightning struck? Have you ever had that moment when you see a concept, idea, or innovation that makes you so excited that you become blind to all potential pitfalls or traps? 

This is my highly speculative guess as to what happened to the folks at American Eagle. 

American Eagle launched a denim campaign with Sydney Sweeney and set the internet on fire. The hook? A pun. The big idea I referred to before. “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” Jeans, genes. Clever enough to make a creative director giggle, bold enough to make a CMO high‑five their CFO, and, as it turns out, risky enough to light up America’s culture wars.

The stock popped. American Eagle added nearly $400 million in market cap in 24 hours. But then came the storm. Suddenly, this wasn’t about sales or stock prices. It was about race, beauty, politics, and the new reality of marketing in 2025.

That is why I think it really happened, as I guess. Somebody pitched the idea. Everyone thought it was super clever. They ran it up the flagpole, got buy‑in, and sprinted full steam ahead. No pause. No gut check. “Hey, should we run this past a few more people?” And in the attention economy, I understand it. Everyone wants the breakthrough idea. Everyone wants the viral moment.

But that rush cost them.

I can’t imagine they intended to be racist or demeaning. According to their data, nearly 50% of their associates are non-white – https://www.aeo-inc.com/inclusion-diversity/. However, when you play with words like “genes,” you don’t just play with fashion. You play with history. Eugenics. White supremacy. The “blue blood” myth goes back centuries, where pale‑skinned aristocrats with visible veins were seen as “pure.” It is not exactly a phrase you want to echo when your model is a blonde, blue‑eyed actress.

Now, I don’t for a second believe American Eagle set out to be racist. I’ve followed Craig Brommers, their CMO, for years. His team partnered with Crisis Text Line and collaborates with BeReal to push authentic connections. That’s not the work of someone blind to the world around them. But here’s the reality: intent doesn’t matter. How people respond does. For many, that response was to be justifiably offended, if not downright scared. 

In today’s America, outrage isn’t just expected, it’s monetized. As Evan Nierman wrote in Fast Company, “outrage has become its own form of currency.” Dan Granger said it even plainer in USA Today: “There’s a clear correlation between loud, polarizing content and successful ad performance.” That’s the playbook. The “outrage industrial complex.” And AE’s stock bump proves it works at least for a while. As of August 4, 2025, their stock is around $12.45, up nearly 16% from a month ago.

But here’s the question nobody seems to be asking: what’s the long game?

Sydney Sweeney? She wins here. This is right on brand for her. Glamorous. Provocative. Polarizing. She’s registered Republican, her family’s MAGA-themed party photos are out there, and she’s not exactly shy about controversy. And, to be fair, she’s told InStyle and Marie Claire that she actually wears American Eagle jeans, swears by them, and used to shop there when she wasn’t making big Hollywood money. So for her, this isn’t a stretch. It’s just another big headline.

But for American Eagle? This feels like a missed opportunity. They could have still had their pun. They could have leaned into “blue” jeans, flag, country, all of it—and done it with multiple spokespeople. America isn’t one face. America has many faces. Their customers are diverse. Their future is diverse. If they’d shown that in the campaign, they’d still be in the news for the right reasons.

That’s the part that frustrates me, as fixing this shouldn’t be so hard. Should it? I don’t want to be cliche and suggest that more diverse leadership, diverse voices, and a little more curiosity before going all in would have made the difference. If we all just look beyond our bubbles and assumptions, we can infuse diversity in our thinking. You don’t have to be diverse to understand this; you just need to broaden your field of view. 

Over the past few years, for some reason, the C-suite has decided that Marketing is less important than product, technology, or logistics. Time to think again. The headline to remember about this situation is that CEOs and Boards should realize that these campaigns are “just ads.” They’re not. Their statements. They’re signals. And in 2025, their financial events. Which means leaders need a plan. What do you do if people love it? How do you double down? What do you do if people ignore it? How do you adjust? What do you do if people hate it? How do you respond? And what do you do when one half of the country cheers while the other half screams?

Those aren’t hypotheticals anymore. 

You may run a brand and assert you’re not marketing separately to “left” and “right” audiences. Fair enough, but there is a lesson here. Test your ideas. Get multiple perspectives. Align with your values, and more importantly, align with the values of your loyal followers. Outrage might sell a few more jeans today, but it doesn’t build loyalty tomorrow.

American Eagle wanted attention. You got it. They also got a case study on how clever can turn careless, how inheritance can reek as privilege, and how tapping into mindsets works better when all minds are considered. 

Just when you thought there was nowhere else to go with the Coldplay Kiss Cam moment, one of the unwitting victims of the situation has struck back with a move bound to keep the internet bouncing. 

Astronomer has hired Gwyneth Paltrow as their new temporary spokesperson. 

As you probably know, Paltrow married Coldplay frontman Chris Martin from 2003 until their conscious uncoupling in 2014. Over a decade later, they are well-respected, having a very amicable split and a co-parenting approach. 

The video from Astronomer (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/astronomer_thank-you-for-your-interest-in-astronomer-ugcPost-7354641783793856512-f9LM?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAAE9sRQBgJZdxq08JLiRKKLhXemQO3Jpd3c&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link) features Paltrow sitting at a desk and ready to answer key questions. Here is the transcript. 

“Thank you for your interest in Astronomer. Hi, I’m Gwyneth Paltrow. I’ve been hired on a very temporary basis to speak on behalf of the 300‑plus employees at Astronomer. Astronomer has gotten a lot of questions over the last few days and they wanted me to answer the most common ones. Yes, Astronomer is the best place to run Apache Airflow, unifying the experience of running data, ML and AI pipelines at scale. We’ve been thrilled so many people have a newfound interest in data workflow automation. As for the other questions we’ve received? Yes, there is still room available at our Beyond Analytics event in September. We will now be returning to what we do best, delivering game‑changing results for our customers. Thank you for your interest in Astronomer.

According to Glamour Magazine’s Emily Tannenbaum, a contributing editor who covers Hollywood, television, movies, and pretty much anything you’re obsessing over on TikTok, Paltrow has now become the clear winner in this scandal.

In the video, hilariously, Paltrow did not, in fact, answer the most common questions, including “OMG! What the actual f?” and “How is your social media team holding up?” Instead, she explained that Astronomer is “the best place to run Apache Airflow,” a data workflow automation platform.

The big question on everyone’s minds is who created this stroke of genius. It is one thing for us to attribute the ability to turn content around quickly to technology, but the reality is that someone had to come up with this idea. 

The internet is cheering for them to get a bonus, a raise, perhaps even a spontaneous Cannes Lion award for marketing genius. I know I applaud them.

I also applaud Paltrow and Martin. I suspect he was consulted to ensure alignment on her being parachuted into the situation. While the approach to the content probably made it easy to digest, I am sure that the threat of lawsuits by the former Astronomer CEO and their own famous breakup on their minds needed some consideration.

The other unwitting victims in this story are the Astronomer employees. Imagine waking up, and your company is the butt of jokes in every corner of the internet. Sports teams and the media (image below from The Guardian)are dining out on the situation by recreating the moment in their own way. Your social media searches are going through the roof, and everyone suddenly wants to chat with you about culture.

I hope they like, perhaps love, this move their company made and maybe even encouraged them to make friendly replies to questions they are being hit with. I can only imagine what will happen when interlopers decide to show up at their September business event. It’s going to happen, you know it.

Finally, to make this come full circle, when does the soon-to-be ex-wife of the now ex-CEO of Astronomer get to hang out with Gwyneth?

Have you ever observed, with some measure of disdain, a group of people with their phones, cameras, lights and tripods tripping all over themselves at a tourist site, restaurant, museum, or luxury destination?

I know you have. I have.

Perhaps in your mind, you are wondering, does everyone have to act like they are Nicki Sunderland (@nicolemsunderland)? Do you need to tell me what your ultimate bucket list is, or how undiscovered this restaurant is, until your video blows the secret to the entire world? Can you put down that phone and enjoy the view?

You may not love influencers travelling the world and sharing their adventures; however, you cannot ignore their impact. Influencers are among the biggest drivers of the fascinating trend of #luxurytravel. A trend that is being driven not only by High Net Worth and Very high Net Worth individuals, but also the Aspiring individuals, those with $ 100k to $ 1MM in assets, according to McKinsey, who live in a world where homeownership seems out of reach and upscaling experiences may be seen as a sound alternative.

Luxury travel is everything from splurging on a Virgin Atlantic high-end “Retreat Suites”, complete with privacy doors, lie-flat beds, 17.3-inch entertainment screens, and in-seat minibars, to joining Iron Lady Golf on a golf trip to Valderrama in Spain or enjoying cozy, high-end gear setups after a day of hiking in the Rockies as inspired by the @wilderness_addict (Caroline Foster). For those who can afford it, Air France has created La Premiere cabin, recently launched onboard, but costs US$11,000 (£8,288.87) to travel between Paris & New York.

Influencers, according to tourism marketing executives, are a necessary evil for the industry, reports Ben Schlappig (https://onemileatatime.com/insights/travel-influencers/). However, they are not the only reason for this push to the front of the plane or getting one at the Four Seasons Explorer private yacht through the Maldives or an Airbnb Luxe at a Scottish Castle accessible by the Belmond Royal Scotland and replete with clay pigeon shooting and falconry.

According to the World Tourism Barometer, travel has surpassed its pre-pandemic levels, with a strong forecasted growth of 5%. However, recent issues with tourism to the USA may alter this forecast. According to Grand View Research, luxury travel is growing at a rate of 8-9%. Given that they spend on average $2,300 per trip, versus an economy traveller at $1,000 per trip, it is clear where tourism boards, travel companies, and others focus their emphasis. This is good news for the economy – https://www.barrons.com/articles/luxury-travel-economy-booking-outlook-fe2dafc9 as tourism is a larger employer in many categories than auto or resources, and will be much harder to be displaced by AI.

So don’t criticize those influencers too much!

For those seeking a more balanced and genuine travel influencer, consider Adam Boro (@AdamBoro), an aerospace engineer-turned-travel filmmaker, whom I was fortunate enough to meet in France recently. Adam appeals to me because he is a person who lives life to the fullest. His content isn’t meant to create FOMO; instead, it inspires, educates, entertains, and warms the heart. It’s about positivity.

The confluence of inputs driving luxury travel applies to all experiences. The Amadeus Traveller Tribes (https://amadeus.com/documents/en/traveler-tribes/reports/tribes-report-final-en.pdf) will leave you convinced that this is not a fad or a trend. With developments in data and technology influencing personalization in travel, mixed with political tensions and eco-anxiety, will drive the industry to service what is called Pioneering Pathfinders.

The direction of travel will impact how we live, learn, work, and entertain at home. Luxury travel is becoming the expectation of many and will continue to evolve. At the same time, utilitarian travel will also benefit, as those seeking value, timeliness, and simplicity will also surge in direct contrast. As in many categories, the offerings in the middle will lose out. Boom!

The timeless craft of a bricklayer requires a rhythm for their craft, a keen eye for levelling and patience of Job. From the preparation of the site to the accumulation of tools to the all-important corner leads, there are no shortcuts in the process. Each buttered brick needs to be checked and double-checked, and the instincts of a master are earned, not learned.

Did you know that over half of Europe is facing a severe shortage of bricklayers? According to Scottish Construction Now, the UK alone is short 75,000, which is a significant impediment to increasing the creation of affordable housing to tackle the issues of homelessness. With apprenticeships for training bricklayers running three to four years, this is not a deficit that can be quickly resolved.

Enter Salar al Khafaji, the founder of Monumental, who is building autonomous on-site construction robots by leveraging fast iteration of robot design. Its robots are derived from an AI software (Atrium) and have human-like precision, the ability to manage challenging terrain, and fit in the tightest spaces.

What do Salar, Zaileen Janmohamed (below left), Gareth Balch Below (below middle), Napheesa Collier (below right), Diana Matheson (below large), Samantha Dainty (Leach), Hildah Juma, Jay Downton, Kristy Coventry, and Zarah Al-Kudcy have in common? In the words of Bill Drayton, they are all Changemakers.

Drayton, the founder of Ashoka, a global organization promoting social entrepreneurship, is primarily credited with coining the phrase Changemaker. He began using the term “changemaker” to describe individuals — especially young people and social entrepreneurs — who see opportunities for social improvement and take initiative to make positive, systemic change. Drayton’s philosophy centred around empowering people to lead and innovate for the public good, emphasizing that change is not reserved for elites or institutions.

However, the term has too much of a social entrepreneurship shade to it. Despite my love for social entrepreneurship, I suggest we drop the word ‘social’ and examine all forms of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. According to Drayton, a changemaker is a person who:

Ashoka’s motto is: “Everyone a Changemaker.” Do you believe that? Do you see the Changemaker in yourself, or do you only see it in others? Do you think that Changemakers are only young people or civic-minded people?

A Changemaker can be a person reinventing an existing organization, launching a new one, or addressing a shortage of bricklayers or individuals who can utilize the Databricks platform. Consider the criteria above, which reflect problem-solving, paving a new path, and creating a lasting impact.

Then, close your eyes and think of the last, or following, significant challenge you faced personally or professionally. Mull it over. Imagine how you can solve it. Visualize the end game. Now write out a plan to make it happen.

The next time you pass a construction site, a homeless shelter, or a manufacturing plant, your eyes will now see past the people, the equipment, and the structures to the opportunities that will inspire the Changemaker within you.

We can’t credit or blame Alan Stillman, the founder of TGI Friday’s, for the expression “Thank God It’s Friday” or its prevalence in the workplace.

This expression of relief first surfaced in office culture some sixty years ago. I am often surprised to hear it still uttered. One may accuse me of being a workaholic for that comment, but they would be missing my point.

Yes, I do love work, and in fact, I do love Mondays. Not only because it’s the start of the workweek, but it’s also the start of my biological week. For me, Sunday is always the close of the week, not the beginning. That may be because I don’t go to Mass anymore. My Mondays have a double dose of celebration. First, I usually have an action-packed weekend, and if it was fulfilling, then Monday becomes a moment of reflection for a weekend well-lived. Secondly, I am genuinely excited for what my work week is bringing me.

The passion for my workweek includes looking ahead to opportunities to debrief with long-standing clients, excitement about meeting new people, tension around a pitch, or prepping for a public speaking event. Loving what you do for a living doesn’t mean I don’t have a whole life with lots of family time, socializing time, fitness time, reading time, friend time, sports time, and me time. I don’t break down my life into pie charts; it’s just my life.

However, as it comes to work and what the future of work looks like, I wonder when TGIM will replace expressions such as TIGF. For some people, they are going to make this switch on their own, and others are going to have it forced upon them. The third, or third and fourth, group (s) that don’t make this adjustment are going to be in for a permanent challenge as the reality of AI rendering so many middle management-esque tasks redundant. The employee who is comfortable in their comfortable role in their comfortable organization is about to experience massive discomfort.

The TGIM people of the world who are passionate about not only work but life, and can embrace uncertainty by creating their destiny, will have no problem with these massive shifts. Those who have long harboured disdain for their clock-watching colleagues may privately relish the demise of their cubicle, or virtual, teammates. Not that they are applauding another’s misery, but instead they will be welcoming the improvements in their work environment that an energized workplace will bring.

AI poses a threat to those who have no interest in advancing. AI is a playbook for those who embrace change. The roles of the future that will guarantee lifelong employment will be curative, creative, and collaborative. In short, they will be people business roles. Technology will eliminate the processor work we are bogged down with and free up the exciting work many of you relish.

Running over your colleagues to get to work does not make you a slave to the massive enterprise. It provides you with agency to manage your destiny, set your course, and deliver. Unless you, unlike me, have an inheritance that will provide for your family until the end of time, having a profession is a necessity. Funny how in some circles, that has become a negative.

It is a Friday when I am writing this, and I am excited for a weekend away with friends. I hope to read as much as I intend, join the Sunday cottage yoga session, and not swear too much at people in traffic. Come Monday, when my alarm rings, there will be a whole new week of exploration in front of me. A whole new week of great people to collaborate with. A whole new week of innovations to learn about.

TGIF. TGIM. Both can be true at the same time.

Despite not pursuing any scientific proof, I have long believed that pain is the most powerful motivator for humans.

Entrepreneurs often become adversaries of pain because they believe they can solve a problem better than anyone else. Frequently, those entrepreneurs are solving the most personal issue they face; at times, they are the only individuals who recognize it.

Volunteers volunteer to help tackle the ills they see. Coaches coach to ensure that local kids can play. Trainers train to help those who struggle with their fitness.

Social justice leaders battle for those who are unfairly discriminated against or compelled by the pain they witness in their community and their kind, often at significant consequences to themselves.

Are you at your strongest as an individual when fighting back against the fiercest situations in your life?

What happens to you when you face the longest odds?

When I sat for a final-day presentation at Cannes, I did not expect to receive a masterclass in motivation fueled by angst. I did know that the many motivating worlds of pain would collide on stage in the form of Felipe Simi, founder of Soko (now Droga5, Sao Paolo).

Simi is one of the most admired advertising leaders in Brazil. In fact, in 2023, he was named the most admired advertising professional in the country. For good reason, he founded his agency, Soko, in 2016. Through a unique blend of innovation, leadership, and commitment, he has grown it into a force of over 300 people, culminating in an acquisition by Accenture Song to join the Droga5 family. One of the key principles Felipe deploys is creative collaboration, founded on the belief that every person in the agency is innovative and contributes to the ideation process.

Another powerful innovation is Soko’s ability to connect brands with people and culture. Revolving around their unique and visually intriguing storytelling, which is akin to the people, society, and culture, Soko captivates its audiences and increases social media engagement. Soko believes in a “collaborative creative process and that no creative company can prosper without a broad repertoire of experiences that reflect the proportionality of the population.” In addition to great creativity and a client-centred approach, Soko is well known for leveraging cutting-edge technologies and pushing boundaries.

Back to Felipe on stage at Cannes. I cannot translate his message perfectly, but I will start with his closing message when asked to deliver a final jolt of inspiration to the audience. Perhaps a more fitting opening would be to tell you that the audience broke into a joyful dance to custom music from the agency, with the moderator’s encouragement. I may even begin with the story Felipe shared, accompanied by a too-sweet video of him dancing to Madonna as a young child, when he first felt shame for who he was.

The collision that Simi referenced fuels many entrepreneurs’ daily efforts. It is the collision of your professional world with something powerfully personal, the flame inside that gets you out of bed, standing tall, and ready to conquer the day’s challenges. It is our fuel. It is the true origin of your superpower. It is your most precise definition of why.

However, I have never heard this recipe presented in the way Felipe shared. In his concoction, the core ingredient to include first is the deepest pain you have ever encountered. In his case, I assume it was the shame that society, and perhaps people close to him, made him feel for his sexual identity. (Cue the childhood dance video.) The impact of his perspective is that Felipe embraced the shame he felt and turned it into his rocket fuel as he navigated the advertising universe, where he encountered a dearth of diversity at every turn. For example, he mentioned having worked with only one Black person in a country that is over 52% Black. In addition, he never worked with someone who was trans. These challenges led to the launch of Soko.

Soko became his revenge project, a platform to demonstrate the power of diversity—the power of having differing voices in a room to create different stories, the power of seeing diversity not just in backgrounds but also skill sets—a diversity that he had not seen in his years of advertising work.

He describes Soko as living somewhere between chaos and cause.

His closing message was, “We will take this shit over!” His reference is for all those who have been underestimated to realize that the conventions of the advertising industry can be broken.

His mantra for his collaborators is powerful and worth endlessly repeating: “We were doomed to be invisible, so we had to become undeniable.”

Felipe Simi, I can assure you that many heard you and they will take this shit over.

MH3

In the five years since George Floyd was murdered, there has been a violent clash over DEI.

A clash that, on paper, some might assume the modern-day version of the moral majority has won. Internationally, DEI is being castigated, weaponized, and vilified. Those three letters are now the bullseye for funding cuts, policy pressure, and legal wrangling.

Reading the headlines of the day could demotivate any advocate, beneficiary, or supporter of basic human decency.

However, if you, like me, believe that the underestimated cohorts of people still deserve to be supported and empowered to succeed, you should read on. Because beneath the clouds, away from the rain, and far from the thunder, there is a different story to be told that is still being written.

Specifically, the script that is authored by the dozens of Capital B Black community organizations that emerged, or were turbocharged, from the fiery global protests after Floyd’s brutal demise.

For every major corporation that pledged to change and improve its treatment of Black associates and customers, a similar number of new Black-led organizations emerged. Unlike the corporate bandwagoners who have fled from DEI as if chased by ghosts of their past, these community organizations remain standing, continue to fight, and in many cases, are thriving.

Who am I talking about?

ADVANCE – Canada’s Black Music Collective, Black Opportunity Fund, Black Founders Network, Black Talent Initiative, Foundation for Black Communities, Tribe Network, Afro-Canadian Contractors Association, Accelerate Auto, Lady Ballers Camp, Nia Centre for the Arts, BrAIDS for AIDS, Parting the Roots, the Accomplice Project, and more.

Last week, I held a BTI community meetup to reflect on George Floyd’s murder. One of our earliest volunteers issued a powerful statement that, because of Floyd’s murder and the creation of community groups such as the Black Talent Initiative, she is now able to live her life as a Capital B Black person.

Capital B will endure because these groups, along with many others I could add to the list, are creating three power structures that will outlast the enemies of DEI.

The Power of Community: This is the superpower of any social movement, brand, religion, political party, or nation-state—people bonding over a common purpose and values, getting to know new collaborators and partners, meeting individuals with shared challenges, and finding comfort in building friendships. Although an unscientific litany, I believe these are the benefits of building your network, your relationships, and your tribe, which I think are the result of community building. Its fabric is made of steel. The murder of George Floyd has permanently motivated us to build community among Black people.

Power of Belonging: The emergence of Black Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in the workplace and their continued evolution have given people a voice to express their feelings to leadership, build connections internally, champion rising talent, and engage with external stakeholders in a new light. There is ample evidence that ERG participation builds power.

Power of Entrepreneurship: Working for oneself is not merely a financial accelerator, but it is also an income generator, a self-management developer, and a role model. Black people all across this country have been able to unlock their desire for self-control through collaboration, funding, sponsorship, and empowerment. Meeting other Black entrepreneurs, finding funding sources, and having doors open to new customers are all part of the endeavour that these entrepreneurs have gained from the many Black-led community groups of today.

This list is far from exhaustive, and these pillars are by no means exclusive.

Their cross-pollination and extension to all facets of Black life in Canada should provide motivation and assurance for those feeling exhausted by the attack on DEI that there is more than hope. We have a five-year track record of success.

We have a five-year cycle of innovation. We have five years of calluses on our hands. Yes, there is more work to be done, but the rewards that come with it are worth it.

The first enslaved people came to Canada almost four hundred years ago, so let’s be realistic about it, yet celebratory at what has been done in the last .01 of our Canadian history.

MH3

To hear more on this topic, have a listen to my radio interview on Metro Morning with David Common – May 27, 2025: How have businesses changed in the five years since the death of George Floyd?

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-39-metro-morning/clip/16148586-how-businesses-changed-five-years-since-death-george

Last week, T1, known at various times as Trojan Sports Marketing, Trojan Sports & Event Marketing, TrojanOne, and TrojanOne Integrated Brand Activation, turned thirty-one. 

I did not intend to have as many names as candles on our corporate birthday cakes, but we have had a few rebrands since I launched the agency. The Trojan origins came from my high school football team, the Trojans of the now-defunct Park Street Collegiate Institute. The progression to T1 was easy, as it was the nickname our clients and colleagues referred to the agency by. 

However, this is not a story about the evolution of our agency name, but rather a story about Leadership. For better or worse, when you are in business for a long time, you get asked a lot about leadership. Today, I thought I would share thirty-one leadership lessons with you that I have learned over time without any Artificial Intelligence, except my own, which is primarily made up. (* Resorted to use AI for the image.) Hopefully, I have thirty-one to share. Otherwise, I am going to have to redo the setup entirely. 

Here goes. Thirty-one years of entrepreneurship translated into thirty-one leadership lessons.

1. I believe passion is the most important trait a team member can have. 
2. A client once told me our agency meetings were the best hour of his day. Translate that into every meeting you participate in. 
3. Write down the three successes about your day, every day, and you will train yourself to find the daily wins. 
4. Always have one more deck, proposal, speech, script, or answer than you need to, no matter the meeting. 
5. The earlier you share bad news with people, the more likely you will be forgiven. 
6. Don’t be afraid of the truth; the facts are the facts. 
7. Routines eliminate low-value work for leaders. 
8. Routines also create comfort for teams.
9. I am learning from my team to do a much better job of celebrating the little wins. 
10. The better things are going, the more likely they will worsen if you don’t pay attention. (Perhaps this is too autobiographical!)
11. You don’t work for a company, you work for a person. 
12. Anyone who says they are an open book is an abject liar.
13. Practice in sport and business should always be more difficult than the game. 
14. A powerful story is more impactful than an argument. (Although I should argue a little less.) 
15. Learn what keeps people up at night—this is my only skill. 
16. Every business is a people business. 
17. Success does not require Agreement
18. The most important sale you make every day is to yourself. 
19. In business development, I remind sellers that no means not yet. 
20. Starting a new venture is not nearly as scary as leaving what is comfortable. 
21. Every story has three sides: mine, yours, and the truth. 
22. Believe you can always work your way out of any jam. (This may seem redundant when you come to # 26.)
23. I have often been accused of changing my mind too frequently, a right I don’t relinquish. I believe it is the right of the individual who has the most information about a situation. You may not. 
24. More importantly, being consistent in approach is essential for a manager. 
25. Befriend the ‘janitors” in an organization to understand how it works. 
26. Deal from strength. As a friend shared with me, conduct yourself as you would if you were the head of state. 
27. Body language is the language of business. 
28. Leadership is a brand. What is your brand? When people say your name, what is expected, and do you deliver? 
29. Self-management is a choice that leaders make. 
30. I trust myself, because I doubt myself. I challenge myself (and others) every day.
31. Life is too short to be little. 

Are you looking for a cool, I mean super cool, new gig?

The City of Toronto is about to appoint its first-ever Night Mayor. Technically, the job title is “Manager of the Night Economy,” though I think the nickname is cooler. Night Mayor. (Not Nightmare for the record!) 

Technically, there is a need for a changemaker—someone who looks beyond the clubs and partying and focuses on all elements of the night economy, including businesses, culture, services, etc. So, the WANT AD could read as a call for a culture-shifting, business-boosting, safety-advocating, community-building leadership role that could help redefine the 416’s appearance after dark.

While this might sound new in a Canadian context, it’s a global trend that has been gaining steam for over a decade. Does your city have a night mayor? Do you know?

Amsterdam is where it all started. What a shock! In 2014, Mirik Milan was appointed the city’s first Night Mayor. His mandate wasn’t to shut things down but to open things up. Under his leadership, Amsterdam introduced 24-hour venue licenses, streamlined mediation between residents and nightlife operators, and even turned abandoned buildings into cultural hubs. Milan did more than protect the club scene —he professionalized it, helping the city see nightlife as a strategic asset rather than a nuisance. He also helped launch the Night Mayors Summit, now a global gathering of urban leaders focused on nighttime governance.

In Dublin, Ray O’Donoghue—formerly the Sea Sessions music festival director—was appointed the city’s first Night-Time Economy Advisor in April 2024. O’Donoghue’s strategy focuses on safety, transport, mobility, and cultural activity. Initiatives under his leadership include the implementation of security guards on Dublin Bus services, plans for “safe waiting zones” for public transport, and expanding 24-hour bus routes. Additionally, cultural events like the Nocturnal Beats Music Trail have extended cultural events until 2:30 am in multiple venues, showcasing efforts to expand Dublin’s nightlife offerings.

Philadelphia’s Night Mayor, Raheem Manning (pictured below), brings an economic development lens. Manning has focused on making nightlife more inclusive, especially for LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC entrepreneurs, artists, and event producers. He’s been instrumental in creating new pathways for small business owners to access late-night permits and support. Manning uniquely emphasizes empowering communities historically pushed to the sidelines after dark.

Meanwhile, in Ottawa, a city long labelled as not the most fun (sorry to my sister and her family), Mathieu Grondin—appointed as the city’s first Night Commissioner—has taken cues from his experience leading MTL 24/24 in Montreal. Grondin’s tenure in Ottawa is focused on balancing cultural vibrancy with urban planning. He’s working to reimagine how office-heavy downtown cores can host events, pop-ups, and performances at night. He’s also tackling nighttime safety and pushing for greater integration of public transit service with after-hours events. 

In Venezuela, despite political instability, informal Night Mayor initiatives led by cultural organizers and community leaders in Caracas aim to reclaim public spaces through music, markets, and late-night storytelling events. These efforts are hyper-local and often grassroots, but they show how critical the night can be in fostering cultural identity and community resilience.

All these leaders understand that the night economy isn’t just about clubs and concerts. It’s about jobs, safety, creativity, and inclusion. It’s about transforming cities into places that work for everyone, regardless of the hour.

This brings me to my point: municipalities need to consider sponsorship as part of the playbook if we’re serious about unlocking our cities’ full potential at night.

We know how successful brands partner with food festivals, music tours, sports leagues, and business conferences. Why not the night? And no, I don’t mean plastering logos across nightclub flyers. I mean innovative, purposeful partnerships.

The financial sector could sponsor initiatives for after-hours entrepreneurs. Tech companies could pilot public safety apps tailored for night settings. Mobility providers could fund free or subsidized transit from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Telecom brands could support real-time cultural experiences that bridge live and virtual participation. Insurance companies could provide back-of-house safety training for venue operators and staff. All of this builds relevance, equity for the brand, and actual infrastructure for the city.

Let’s also not forget the massive potential for event-based sponsorships tied to the night. Think of city-sanctioned late-night markets, rooftop cinema series, street food programs, and even all-night art crawls. With the right policies, office towers could host cultural events on their unused floors. Downtown buildings could become galleries by night. City parks could double as safe, curated nighttime destinations.

So whether you want to secure the role as Toronto’s new night mayor or are happy where you are, share your ideas for how sponsorship can be a key part of the future state. For this movement to thrive, it can’t rest on municipal shoulders alone. It needs investment. It needs advocacy. And it needs brands that want to build something bigger than a campaign.

The cities that act now, by integrating sponsorship into the DNA of the night economy, will be the ones that shine the brightest.

Let’s stop seeing the night as the end of the day.

Let’s see it as the start of something new.