As I step into 2025, I declare worthy as my word for the year. This follows a powerful year of revival in 2024, where I focused on being properly positioned for what’s next. Worthiness is now my guiding principle—a declaration that I am worthy of being compensated, respected, and trusted for who I am and the work I’ve done.
For over 25 years, I have dedicated my life to professional baseball and the development of talent—not just on the field, but in life. I’ve played a part in shaping over 40 Major League Baseball players and thousands of Major League Citizens who are gainfully employed, civically engaged, and radical philanthropists committed to their communities. This legacy of impact underscores my worth and the value I bring to every space I occupy.
The Era of “Free” is Over
I’ve often heard, “If you can’t do it for free, you can’t do it for pay.” Well, free is over. My experience, time, and expertise have value, and in 2025, I will no longer allow my worth to be undervalued or taken for granted. The work I do changes lives, and while I’ve sown seeds freely in the past, the time has come to reap the harvest of what I’ve built.
“Man at the Garden: I Deserve It All”
On November 22, 2024, Kendrick Lamar debuted the anthem for my 2025: “Man at the Garden: I Deserve It All.” Like Kendrick, I deserve it all. Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve sacrificed, and everything I’ve built.
My vision for 2025 is rooted in the belief that my success is not just about personal gain—it’s about distribution. Like Amazon, I aim to ensure the right resources, opportunities, and transformations get to the right people. Success is what you get, but significance is what you give. My worth fuels my ability to give generously, effectively, and strategically.
Worthy of Compensation
You can’t be the best and the cheapest at the same time. This truth has shaped my perspective on worth. As my friend Jayson Wells taught me, cost is your value minus your feelings. My value is undeniable:
- Over two decades of professional experience in baseball development.
- Proven methodologies and programmatic approaches that transform potential into excellence.
- A track record of equipping individuals to excel not just in sports, but in life—becoming leaders in their careers, communities, and families.
This value isn’t tied to emotion or insecurity—it’s tied to results. In 2025, I will embrace my worth by ensuring my compensation reflects the transformational value I provide.
Worthy of Respect
Respect is deeply intertwined with worthiness. It’s not something I demand—it’s something I earn. Yet, in a society where respect is often conditional or tied to superficial judgments, standing in my worth as a Black man in America requires resolve.
I know that I am worthy of respect because I consistently show up for others. I have invested my life in developing young men, breaking barriers, and transforming communities. I understand that being valuable and demanding respect can make people uncomfortable, but I will not shy away from that discomfort. In 2025, I will earn respect on my terms—through integrity, consistency, and the undeniable impact of my work.
Worthy of Trust
Trust is foundational to every meaningful relationship—personal, professional, or otherwise. Yet, as an African American man, I know that trust isn’t always extended to me freely.
Still, I know I am worthy of trust. My life’s work has been built on transparency, reliability, and a steadfast commitment to delivering on what I promise. Whether coaching athletes, mentoring leaders, or transforming organizations, I have proven that I am a steward of trust. In 2025, I will continue to embody this truth, even as I challenge others to confront their biases and extend trust more freely.
A Year of Worthiness
On this first day of 2025, I declare that I am worthy. Worthy of being compensated. Worthy of respect. Worthy of trust. This year, I will challenge myself—and others—to recognize, honor, and celebrate my worth.
My worth is not rooted in titles or accolades, but in the lives I’ve touched, the change I’ve driven, and the legacy I continue to build. I am worthy of the opportunities and rewards that come my way, and I will step boldly into that truth this year.
In 2025, I stand in my worth—and I invite others to see it, honor it, and learn from it.
This is the year I deserve it all.
