Young Black Men: Your History Began with Kingdoms, Not Chains (Episode 106)

Ancestral wisdom meets modern mentorship in this powerful conversation with Coach Ed Bradley, whose message to young Black men resonates with profound simplicity: "Stop asking the world for permission to be whole."

Coach Bradley, a transitional life coach and former educator, draws from his experience developing an African-American studies curriculum to address a critical gap in historical understanding. He passionately articulates how Black history didn't begin with slavery but with "kingdoms, libraries, universities, engineers, warriors, and spiritual leaders in places like Cush, Mali, and Timbuktu." This historical amnesia has profound consequences, as African Americans uniquely had their heritage "ripped and raped out of us, stolen from us, beaten out of us"—creating a disconnect from ancestral knowledge that no other cultural group has experienced quite the same way.

The conversation shifts from historical foundations to practical application when Bradley suggests that "history is probably our best mentor and guide." He references Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, and Dr. Charles Drew as examples of individuals who "didn't just wait for permission" but instead "saw a need, used what they had, and moved in a way to allow them to fill those needs." This perspective transforms historical knowledge from passive learning into active strategy—particularly valuable for young people navigating identity and purpose today.

Perhaps most striking is Bradley's observation about today's youth having unprecedented "access without awareness." Despite having more information at their fingertips than any previous generation, without proper context and guidance, this access becomes wasted potential. His call to action urges young people to study their history deeply, recognize misinformation, build communities, and take action without waiting for validation. As he powerfully states, "You are more than capable of fixing [community problems]...It is in your blood. You are a fixer because your ancestors are fixers." Connect with Coach Bradley at CoachEdBradley.com to continue this vital conversation about reclaiming historical power and creating new legacies of excellence.

To learn more about Coach Ed Bradley or discover his books, please visit:

https://www.coachedbradley.com/

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