E18. Kindred Spirits (re-release): A Conversation with Shawn Dove, CEO of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Shawn Dove, CEO of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA). An accomplished leader, community-builder, and advocate for children and families, Shawn has held a prominent position as mentor in Ashanti's life. The two share a spiritual connection, an intangible brotherhood, and the fronts and backs of their masks flow and roll open without ever specifically naming the activity, happening through free-flowing conversation, story, and reflection. (1:38) Ashanti introduces the podcast. (4:11) Shawn and Ashanti reflect on the mantra of the season, the current state of affairs, the tumultuous year of 2020, and the importance of moving from extrinsic motivators to intrinsic ones. (10:55) Shawn tells a story about his trip to Ghana and a retreat to Belize, where he feels that he faced death in the form of a dream - and his willingness to fight it gave him the conviction to continue his life’s work. (19:45) Shawn and Ashanti reflect on when they first met and connected, the importance of setting lofty goals, and how fear is integral to the history of the Million Mask Movement, and how Ashanti is coming to terms with a particular moment in its history. (28:50) They discuss impostor syndrome, and Shawn tells a story from his childhood about avoiding abduction as a 9-year-old boy in New York City. He shares how he is just now realizing this was trauma and not a badge of honor. (38:20) Ashanti and Shawn begin taking off their masks. (43:24) Then, they ruminate on the common idea that “comparison is the thief of joy”, and on how male vulnerability is now becoming more accepted in our culture - and what these concepts mean when looking back on their past, examining their present, and projecting into the future. (52:33) Shawn shares details on his upcoming book, I Too Am America: On Loving and Leading Black Boys in America, and shares how sunsetting CBMA is preparing him for his third act. (57:15) Shawn and Ashanti acknowledge a “kindred brotherhood”, and how Ashanti’s prior fears to reach out to Shawn in tough moments were always overcome by this deep connection. (1:02:40) The men close the show, but not before Ashanti is interrupted by an unexpected visitor and is able to show off his bilingual chops. --- Check out Shawn's: Twitter: twitter.com/DoveSoars Instagram: instagram.com/shawn_dove --- Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected] --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter:   https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn:    www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch --- Send in a voice message: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message