Be Fearless by Jean Case

Author:Jean Case
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

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It is not too often that I meet other leaders in the privileged world of philanthropy who share a background like mine—having previously been a recipient of philanthropy before taking the helm of a foundation. So when I first met Darren Walker and heard the remarkable story of how he beat the odds to become president of the Ford Foundation, one of the largest foundations in the United States, I was deeply touched. Despite the Ford Foundation’s tradition, prestige, and sheer size (with assets over $12 billion), Darren speaks openly about his challenged upbringing: “I embrace my past,” he told Jonathan Capehart in a moving interview published in the Washington Post. “I didn’t have to study the context of a low-income, rural community to know about poverty. I lived that experience.”

Darren, now a dear friend, knows he occupies a rare place, having overcome significant odds. He is a gay black man from the South, yet at no time did he allow bias or other daunting hurdles to keep him from achieving his dreams. Darren’s unique life story is an inspiration to many and has led to numerous profiles that tell his story, including Time magazine naming him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He encourages others who achieve status or privilege to speak out, to empower others, and to make a difference. “I’m very, very optimistic about America’s future,” he likes to say, and with stories like Darren’s to inspire us, we are reminded that anyone can beat the odds.

Perhaps you feel the burden of what others will say if you stumble, especially if you’re like me and think your failure could play into the bias that exists around who is and who isn’t expected to do something great. I want to encourage you to focus on the people highlighted in this chapter, who not only felt disenfranchised or different but actually were. And yet each one of them overcame their fear of being called out for their failures. In so doing, they’ve not only achieved great things—they’ve helped to reduce bias when we think about the potential of those who are “different.” Let their stories inspire you to overcome the insecurity that could otherwise hold you back.

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