40 Lessons

The the last seven years, the RVA brand has grown to represent the best of what we have to offer here in Richmond. While we live in Richmond and work through the impact of policies and practices from generations ago that still determine quality of life today, we need to have two conversations. One that builds us up and helps to imagine and realize a better version of ourselves. And another that tears down the legacy of injustice as we build a better city. Our “tale of two cities” is deeper than just the differences across line of race, class, location, access, education, etc. It goes down to the core of who we are are as a city and who we want to be.

After a weekend that included diverse, artist engagements full of love and respect, this episode is a reminder to lean into love and not give hate the attention it seeks. The real problems and the realized impacts of our policies and practices that marginalize people generation after generation require our attention. There is a call to action to serve people and only love and respect can help us respond to that call.

Charlottesville was another clear demonstration of hate that shows us what is wrong with our world. It is important for people of faith, especially my fellow leaders, to recognize the bias and racism in us and change how we apply what we believe and lead our churches. Many faith leaders in Richmond have signed the Richmond pastors statement of unity at www.richmondpastorsstatement.org and this is a good first step. What comes next is an application of what we affirmed by typing a name and email address and hitting enter on an online form. This application is a long journey that will change our own lives as well as how our churches pray, worship, give and serve.

I have been experiencing racism since I was 5 years old and for the last 37 years those initial experiences have impacted my life in deep and profound of ways. Today I reflect on those experiences and what happened in Charlottesville Saturday August 12. And hope we are all motivated to examine ourselves, grow in love and demonstrate that love in our community.

A special guest returns to test our new 40 Lessons Behringer studio setup and talk about July 4th fireworks

For the last 5 years I’ve been a part of TEDxRVA. I went from a chair in the audience at the Power Plant on the canal to backstage running production at the Carpenter Theater. Now I have the best seat in the house! In this episode, I share some special moments and the impact of TEDxRVA on my life Here are the talks featured in this episode: A Moment in Time: A Police Sergeant's Observation | Sgt. Carol Adams | TEDxRVAWomen 2016 https://youtu.be/c6mFG9WqIGo STEM and the Arts | Dr. Makola Abdullah | TEDxRVA 2016 https://youtu.be/MmboiJh6qJU Empowering the Perceived Weakest Links | Micah "Bam Bamm" White | TEDxRVA 2015 https://youtu.be/Qsl6rXiDQZI The naked truth | Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates | TEDxRVA 2014 https://youtu.be/QoRZN-Vpt3Q The power of privilege | Tiffany Jana | TEDxRVAWomen 2013 https://youtu.be/N0acvkHIiZs Poetry Saves Lives! | John S. Blake | TEDxRVA 2013 https://youtu.be/cS-9dhWYaJs

How do we come together as leaders across our areas of influence to help the city through the incremental change that will ultimately transform Richmond? Let’s find a way to come together more often and inspire action!

Our journey creating reconciled community must include exploration of our history. Some of that history is hard and difficult to understand. But we can’t run from the truth. Truth is required for us to secure a better future. I appreciate Hannah Ayers and Lance Warren at Field Studio creating the documentary film An Outrage ( www.an-outrage.com ). It can help people understand our pain, anger and fear as we deal with present violence reminding us of past atrocities.

In the midst of grief and heartbreak, we mourn the loss of two teenagers Mikkaisha and Taliek killed this past week in Mosby Court. Parents should never have to bury their children, especially when it is because of senseless violence like this. I'm trying not to lose hope that our neighborhood and city can be better. And resolve to continue doing something to try and make that happen. We can’t be silent. If you saw something, say something. Call Crime Stoppers at 804.780.1000 or got to http://www.7801000.com

A special guest returns to the podcast to talk about some of our favorite things to do in RVA. We talk about enjoying parks, museums, the James River and food as a family. So many things we get to enjoy together that are, as my guest says, “so cool!”

This weekend started with Angela Davis at the Afrikana Film Festival Evening with an Icon and ended with the five year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s murder. Significant bookends as I reflect on my journey and how I have to maintain my conviction for service and action in my community.

Becoming an advocate for equality, diversity and reconciliation required forgives and healing from the racist painful seasons in my life.

I ruptured by Achilles tendon and that is being repaired with surgery Wednesday. Since I am home everyday and not walking, I’m trying to understand the “why” and the opportunity for this season. What do you do when something like this happens and it disrupts even the simplest tasks in your life?

Remembering my relationship with my Daddy in the poem Twenty Years. It is the first poem I wrote about him, twenty years after he passed away. It is included in my book Poetry: The Todd B. Waldo Collection, Vol. 1 available on toddbwaldo.com

Remembering my relationship with my Daddy, feeling abandoned before he died and being a grown man missing his Daddy. And the power of forgiveness and how it frees us to receive something good and wonderful in our lives.

My hope is that we all laugh more than we cry. This story from my time with family as we gather around the table for Christmas helped create more laughter

Sharing some special moments from my time with family as we gather around the table for Christmas

Looking back over this week at the violence that has broken my heart and caused me to mourn. And the hope I have for our future

Sharing some memories and reflections as I look back over the last four decades. This episode is about Father's day and how being a Daddy has changed my life.

Sharing some memories and reflections as I look back over the last four decades. This is special Christmas Eve episode where I talk about one of my traditions.