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Character Isn't Something You Announce . . . It's Something that Announces YOU!

Kim Anthony • October 13, 2022

By Dr. Ray Blanchard

Have you ever seen someone enter a crowded room and everyone there seems to kind of stop in their tracks and turn to watch that person walk in?  That person has never been announced and yet, they are just . . .
noticed.

However there’s another person who can walk into that same room . . . and no one seems to notice.

There are certain people that have a "charisma" that shines forth beyond being announced. It is with them in their character. The character of success. A charismatic nature that shines forth, that can be picked up by one's senses. That shines forth almost like a neon sign.

It is significant and distinct. It has power, resonance…influence. It is not something that  you boast about or announce. It is something that announces YOU. What would give you a greater sense of this influence in your own world without even trying? Character.
 

When people refer to character they mean “be a piece of the rock,” because character is your rock. Your character is what inspires confidence and others to follow you. It defines your influence with other people and your capacity to rally people, or to bring people to a common purpose. It all comes back to your character.

Character comes from habit . . . Habit comes from action . . . Action comes from thought. 

The sages have said, "watch your thoughts, lest they become your character and your character becomes your destiny." Character is integrity in action, inspiring confidence and creating followers; which is critical to good leadership. To rally people to a common cause, character determines the potential to lead.

Your actions indicate your character and who you are in the world of agreement, framing what you see as possible. So as a result, character is revealed when intentions and actions match – and when they don’t.It is your collective power & influence

Your character is the essence of what people engage with. Character is a key ingredient to charisma. It’s what people notice subjectively right away… The radiance that comes out of your character.

Charisma is what influences people; character is the foundation of it. It’s a symbiotic relationship. The attitude you display and the actions you take are what make the critical difference in anything… Therein lies character. 

You may not get to pick your talents or IQ but you do get to choose your character by design or by default.
We're Creating Character in Every Choice We Make


Challenging situations test your character.

The people around you get to see you come through and see you’re reliable. It shows up to them as your character; and when you can do that consistently it begins to build confidence and radiance. From that people instantly know they can count on you.

Character means you stand under the weight of the truth.
You’re continuously creating your character and it radiates as your charisma. People can see the integrity and power in you, because highly cultivated character has
gravitas.Character Isn't Free - It's Relational

It comes from sacrificing the easy way - its about earning your way, fair and square.

Doing the right thing, even if it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to, even if it’s challenging, it’s promising to yourself that you’ll do the right thing. That’s character. It’s value-based.

Character is your source of success, it isn’t about an isolated personality trait. It’s a fundamental source of influence; a radiance that people see in you.

Character and charisma are your calling card for leadership.
Character is Evolutionary

Good character is strength. It’s not born in a vacuum - it’s a choice.

Character always tracks back to how you’re being and acting. The name of the game is to develop practices, strength and habits of being able to make the right choices… and shift attitudes in the heat of the moment. That is where character lies. That’s how character is truly measured. 

Ways You Can Improve Your Character

  • Identify the ways you’ve been cutting corners, comprising principles, letting people down
  • Find your weaknesses, problems
  • Identify a new set of practices
  • Reconcile your differences
  • Create a plan to keep you from making same mistakes again

Ways You Can Develop Charisma

  • See other people as magnificent
  • Always be optimistic
  • Have hope for other people
  • Share yourself, your lessons, breakthroughs on your journey
  • Make yourself available & vulnerable
  • Give to people on your path
  • Live your life with honor
  • Be proud of your accomplishments
  • Have noble goals
  • Show humility
  • Be more inclusive with people

The Character of Success 

Character and charisma have nothing to do with looking good. They are inner qualities that have an outer manifestation. Looking good is an outer reflection looking for an inner experience. 

That charismatic nature that shines forth can be picked up by your senses, shining forth almost like a neon sign. It is significant & distinct, and has power, resonance… influence.

It is something in your nature, in your character - not something you boast about or announce. It’s something that announces YOU.


Dr. Ray Blanchard is an educator, coach, consultant and master trainer with global acclaim; known to be the most reputable change agent today in the transformational space, as a trainer-coach-consultant-counselor.  For more information visit RayBlanchard.com.

By Kim Anthony November 24, 2025
AStory of Representation, Innovation, and the Next Chapter of Urban Economic Power Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) has announced a powerful new chapter in its legacy of economic mobility and community-centered entrepreneurship: Alexia Grevious Henderson has been named President of Magic Johnson Enterprises, effective immediately. Her appointment signals more than a promotion — it represents a generational shift. It affirms the rise of a new class of visionary leaders who understand that wealth-building, community uplift, and strategic innovation must move together. A Leader Rooted in Excellence — and Built for Impact Since joining MJE in 2017 as Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Henderson has steadily advanced, proving herself to be a builder, a strategist, and a trusted architect of the MJE brand. Most recently, as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Marketing, she led: High-level corporate partnerships Fulfillment of national and global brand contracts Integrated marketing and communications efforts that expanded MJE’s influence and reach Under her leadership, MJE strengthened its position as one of the most respected vehicles for community-driven economic growth. Magic Johnson himself affirmed her brilliance: “Alexia is one of the brightest young minds in business today. Her leadership and creativity have elevated our brand, our partnerships, and our mission.” Her track record reflects what the Urban Enterprise Framework celebrates: excellence, service, access, and the advancement of historically underestimated communities. A Career Anchored in Purpose Before MJE, Henderson gained experience with the Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins) and began her career with the NCAA in Indianapolis. Her work and reputation have earned her national recognition, including being named: Sports Business Journal’s “30 New Voices Under 30” Diverse Representation’s “Top Ten to Watch” Beyond corporate success, she serves on the board of A.Bevy, an arts and education nonprofit helping young adults find clarity in their passion, path, and purpose — embodying the Urban Enterprise principle that leadership is service. A Powerful Representation Moment for Urban America The Urban Enterprise Framework recognizes milestones like this as more than professional wins — they are community wins. Henderson’s presidency represents: A breakthrough for women in the C-suite leadership A breakthrough for Black leaders shaping national economic strategy A breakthrough for the next generation for urban innovators and changemakers Rooted in Community, Positioned for Global Impact A native of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Henderson is a graduate of Clemson University and holds an MBA from Pepperdine University. She now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Aaron — the heart of a city where entrepreneurship, entertainment, and community-driven innovation intersect. About Magic Johnson Enterprises Founded by Earvin “Magic” Johnson, MJE is a diversified investment company committed to lifting communities through strategic partnerships across entertainment, sports, technology, real estate, and more. Its work aligns deeply with the Urban Enterprise Framework: building access, expanding ownership, and driving economic mobility in urban and underestimated communities.
By Kim Anthony November 17, 2025
In the tapestry of American entrepreneurship, one thread has been tugged and twisted for centuries. It’s the thread of access—or rather, the lack of it. Access to capital. Access to ownership. Access to the kind of financial tools that build legacies and create wealth that lasts. For Black entrepreneurs, this thread remains stubbornly unfinished. Not because of a lack of brilliance, hustle, or vision, but because the capital necessary to scale dreams has too often been withheld. Into that longstanding gap steps the Black Cooperative Impact Fund (BCIF)—an organization that is more than a lender. It is a force. A movement. A quiet revolution wrapped in the conviction that Black economic power isn’t optional. It’s essential. BCIF isn’t simply distributing money. It is rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for Black entrepreneurs in Southern California. It is challenging the old assumptions about who gets funded, who gets to grow, and who gets to build the kind of wealth that outlives them. A Revolution Rooted in Economic Empowerment When you encounter BCIF for the first time, you feel it—an energy, a heartbeat, a purpose. Their declaration comes with clarity and courage: “Economic empowerment is our revolution.” It isn’t rhetoric. It’s strategy. BCIF understands what many overlook: When Black entrepreneurs thrive, everything around them transforms. Families stabilize. Neighborhoods shift. Wealth accumulates. Opportunities multiply. And a new kind of freedom emerges—one built not on survival but on ownership, agency, and possibility. This isn’t transactional lending. This is long-term social change. This is equity in motion. This is self-determination at scale. A Mission Built for Liberation BCIF operates as a community-rooted 501(c)(3) with a mission that is both practical and visionary. They provide interest-free microloans to Black-owned businesses that are committed to building economic power in their own communities. Their work plants seeds—assets, living-wage jobs, generational wealth—that grow into something far larger than a single enterprise. Their vision reaches further: to help close the racial wealth gap by supporting the entrepreneurs who already stand at the forefront of Black economic advancement. The innovators. The creatives. The problem-solvers. The community builders. They have the ideas, the grit, and the drive—but too often, not the fair and accessible capital to match. BCIF’s goal is as ambitious as it is necessary: to become the leading microloan provider for Black-owned businesses in Southern California and to fund 1,000 thriving enterprises by 2040. It’s more than a benchmark. It’s a blueprint—a long-term strategy to transform the economic landscape of a region. What Sets BCIF Apart In a financial world cluttered with red tape and barriers, BCIF stands in a different posture. Their funding model is rooted in clarity, trust, and community. Their loans carry no interest—none. No fees. No predatory terms disguised as support. Just capital that stays exactly where it belongs: circulating inside Black businesses and Black communities. Their focus is intentional. While many organizations speak broadly about “diverse markets,” BCIF centers the Black community unapologetically. Because closing the racial wealth gap requires direct investment—not generic, not diluted, not symbolic. And unlike traditional lenders, BCIF refuses to create hoops meant to disqualify. There is no punishing jargon, no unnecessarily restrictive approval processes. Their model is transparent and accessible, designed to empower instead of exclude. Every loan comes back into the fund, where it becomes fuel for the next entrepreneur. One business’s repayment becomes another business’s opportunity. It is the purest expression of cooperative economics—each success feeding the next, each win lifting the community higher. Why BCIF Matters—For Business, Community, and Justice It’s simple to say, “We support Black businesses.” It’s much harder to build systems that make that support real. BCIF understands that business ownership is one of the most powerful pathways to generational wealth. Ownership changes everything—income, options, legacy. Black-owned businesses also create the kind of jobs that stabilize communities and expand opportunity from the inside out. They also understand that the racial wealth gap is not a coincidence. It is structural. Deliberate. Historical. And so the solution must be structural too. BCIF doesn’t offer charity—they offer infrastructure: accessible capital, community investment, and a circular system that sustains itself. Their model ensures that every loan becomes the seed of another. Entrepreneurs support each other without ever having to meet. It is wealth-building as community practice. How the Model Comes Alive BCIF’s approach to lending is as human-centered as their mission. Black entrepreneurs across Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange counties can apply at any time throughout the year. The screening is thorough but fair, typically taking about four weeks, with approved businesses receiving capital within two. Most of the money donated—about three-quarters—flows directly into loans. The remainder supports operations, ensuring the fund is sustainable long term. There is no profit motive behind these decisions. Only impact. Your Vision and BCIF’s Vision Intertwine If you care about thriving Black communities… If you believe in entrepreneurs who create opportunity where there was none… If you believe economic justice is part of social justice… Then your values are already reflected in BCIF’s work. And there are powerful ways to stand with the movement. You can partner—bringing BCIF into your events, networks, and business circles. You can refer—connecting Black-owned businesses that simply need a fair chance. Or you can amplify—sharing BCIF’s message, because visibility is power and stories ignite movements. A Call to Step Into the Revolution Revolutions don’t begin in crowds. They begin in convictions—one person choosing to act, then another, and another. BCIF is constructing a new economic reality, and you are invited to help shape it. If you’re a Black entrepreneur in Southern California, you can apply for an interest-free loan. If you believe in economic justice, you can invest in the fund that invests in your community. If you want Black economic power to rise, you can share this mission with those who need to hear it. Every voice matters. Every connection matters. Every resource matters. The Final Word BCIF isn’t simply offering loans—they are shifting power. They are challenging the narrative of who gets funded, who gets trusted, who gets to build wealth, and who gets to shape the future. They are proving that wealth creation is not a luxury or an afterthought. It is a pathway to justice. A pathway to freedom. A pathway to a better tomorrow. The Black Cooperative Impact Fund is more than a financial institution. It is a catalyst. A movement. A reclaiming of possibility. And the story is still being written.
By Kim Anthony September 4, 2023
The prospect of running for public office is both exciting and daunting. It offers an opportunity to make impactful changes, but it also exposes you to scrutiny and requires tremendous commitment. If you're contemplating throwing your hat into the political ring, it's essential to think through multiple factors before making your decision. Here are eight critical considerations to mull over: 1. Personal Readiness Entering politics is a life-altering choice, not just for you but also for your family and close ones. The demands on your time, privacy, and emotional well-being can be overwhelming. Questions to Ask : Are you emotionally, mentally, and physically prepared for the challenges? Have you discussed this with your family, and are they supportive? 2. Core Beliefs and Values Politics is an arena of competing interests and ideologies. Having a clear understanding of your core beliefs and values will guide your political journey. Questions to Ask : What causes or issues are most important to you? Are your views aligned with the electorate you wish to serve? 3. Skill Set and Qualifications Being in public office requires a diverse skill set, including but not limited to leadership, public speaking, and policy analysis. Questions to Ask : Do you possess the skills needed to succeed in office? If not, are you willing to learn or surround yourself with experts who do? 4. Financial Considerations Campaigning can be expensive, and public office may not offer the financial rewards that other careers do. Questions to Ask : Do you have the financial resources to run a campaign and sustain yourself in office? Are you ready to disclose your financial status, as is often required? 5. Electability and Public Perception Popularity and public perception play a crucial role in politics. Your history, conduct, and even appearance are often subject to public scrutiny. Questions to Ask : How are you perceived by the community? Do you have any skeletons in the closet that could become public and harm your candidacy? 6. Team and Support System A successful campaign requires a dedicated team for various functions: strategizing, fundraising, public relations, and more. Questions to Ask : Do you have a trustworthy team or know how to assemble one? Do you have mentors or advisors in the political arena? 7. Regulatory and Legal Requirements Different positions have different eligibility criteria, filing requirements, and regulations. Questions to Ask : Are you familiar with the legal requirements for the position you are considering? Do you meet the eligibility criteria? 8. Long-Term Goals and Exit Strategy Public office is often not a lifetime appointment. Whether you serve one term or multiple, you will eventually move on. Questions to Ask : What are your long-term goals? Do you see politics as a career or a stepping stone to other endeavors? What's your exit strategy? The Starting Point, Not the Destination Contemplating these eight points is just the starting point; running for public office is a long, complicated journey that will demand constant adjustment and reevaluation. However, these considerations can give you a solid foundation for making an informed decision. Running for public office is a significant decision that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering this path, taking the time to reflect on these eight considerations will provide valuable insights and prepare you for the challenges and rewards that lie ahead.
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