I Left INBOUND A Better Professional...

[Rickey33Payne1]

Sometimes you never know you need something until you find an abundance of it. Inspiration, Blackness, comfort - I found an infinite ocean of it all being a part of Black@INBOUND. People who are on the outside of Blackness, outside of culture, are completely oblivious to the importance of a space where you are not only welcomed but invited; but necessary - a place where you belong. This feeling is what home is. This is where you feel the most comfortable and alive. This is where you connect, commune, and “cheers”. Where the stresses, confines, and weight of a world where Black people are often forced to spend more time code-switch and shrinking themselves than outstretching themselves - being free, full, and unapologetic.

But with Black@INBOUND at INBOUND 22, I felt reinvigorated and inspired. I felt comfortable and at ease. I learned so much from the events, the speakers, and most memorably, from everyone I had the privilege to share coffee and lunch with. Unfortunately, once you move up and out in certain industries, it’s like Black people are few and far in between.

But at Black@INBOUND “we” were there. I was there.

The feeling of being included is powerful. I guess that’s that sense of autonomy and agency that all the smart writers with best-selling books talk about so much. I get it. My wife noticed it as well. She said that attending Black@INBOUND healed something in my subconscious. Like the “Wakanda Effect” where people walked away from the movie with a sense of pride and like something that they never knew was dormant for so long had been reborn.

I didn't grow up in Atlanta, I didn't go to an HBCU, and I never got that “Black excellence” experience. Attending Black@INBOUND, I became filled with confidence that helps me remain confident and secure no matter what rooms or spaces I’m in. Normally, I have to be more calculated in how I speak but there, I was able to say ya-da-da-dig, and everyone knew what I meant. Reminding me that there’s a world that exists where I don't have to translate myself. 

I left INBOUND a better professional than when I came and have been able to apply what I learned and experienced in my daily life. One of the lessons was the art of communication and creating connections. For instance, while coaching youth baseball, instead of viewing language barriers as a “barrier” and something to work around, I view these moments as an opportunity. With our Spanish-speaking children, we let them teach us different Spanish words, so it helps us communicate better, creates a learning experience for everyone, and makes everyone feel comfortable and welcomed. I can see in real-time how everything flows better with a higher morale.

While at INBOUND 22, I was able to talk through problems with other professionals while eating lunch at The Lawn on D and we all left with ideas to overcome hurdles at work. The electricity of exchanging ideas and “figuring it out” was palpable. I absorbed as much as possible and left with lots of new relationships. I've also introduced contacts from my home state to those I met at INBOUND. The future opportunities are endless, but it felt great to be in the position to introduce other friends and professionals to such an invaluable resource. This event gave me a new understanding of what is possible and what I can create. I’m excited for what’s to come. I can truly say, I’m a different person now than when I arrived.