HONORING MY FAMILY’S GRIT AND DETERMINATION! REST IN PEACE UNCLE JUNIOR!
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
MY UNCLE AND ROLE MODEL – LESLIE BONEY
A SUCCESS WELL EARNED!
A successful man I frequently write about is my beloved Uncle Nathaniel, but today, I am shifting the spotlight to his older brother, Leslie, affectionately known as “Junior” Boney. Uncle Junior was a remarkably successful man who cared immensely for his family.
As a child, I underestimated him and other hard-working men who worked in the hot farming fields and dirty jobs. As I matured, I recognized the immense love and strength that defined my uncle as a man and dad. He displayed a grit that surpasses most individuals I know today.
GROWING UP IN ROSE HILL, N.C. {Home of the world’s largest frying pan. Google it if you dare not believe me.}
My brother and I grew up in a rural farming community where Black men primarily farmed or worked in poultry processing plants, often doing both, to make a living. Their work was physically demanding, involving grueling 12+ hour shifts on their feet. If you’ve never experienced the environment of a chicken processing plant, consider yourself fortunate. I strongly advise against accepting any free tours, and if they offer to pay you $100 for a tour, it’s best to decline. You may NEVER want to eat chicken again!
Tyson, a former client, operated numerous protein (sounds so much better than slaughter plants) processing plants, including dozens of large-scale chicken processing plants. One common challenge was finding safety consultants who could stomach the conditions. Many couldn’t endure a full day amidst blood, guts, chicken feces, feathers, and various parts. It takes thousands of hard-working men and women working extended shifts {as turnover ranges 200+ percent annually} in the south, without air conditioning. This is just a glimpse of the challenging environment people endure to put that neatly wrapped chicken in grocery stores and fast-food chains.
If Satan redesigns his turf, he will tour U.S. meat processing plants for hellish ideas.
My Uncle Junior worked part-time on his farm and in the chicken processing plant until his health failed. I deeply respect and appreciate his unwavering determination to provide for his family. Despite working in horrible, inhuman conditions, I never heard a single complaint.
Ultimately, he and his wife built a home and put food on the table. As an adult, witnessing the conditions he endured, I am in awe of his resilience. He worked in those conditions so four of his six children could complete college while the other two pursued careers in trades. Uncle Junior never considered himself inferior to any man. He highlights a simple truth that everyone, regardless of race, should embrace—
“YOU CAN NOT BE LESS THAN AND EQUAL TO AT THE SAME TIME”
People of all races died fighting for African Americans’ rights to equality. Not handouts, pity, and Government Santa’s, BUT EQUALITY. Seeing so many give up on Dr. King’s dream is disheartening. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”
Today, it’s disheartening to witness organizations delineate what African Americans supposedly cannot achieve:
- A former POTUS & First Lady complaining about how racist America is when they are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars with four multi-million-dollar homes. Remember the question- “When is enough enough?”
- ·An Atlanta DA who hired her unqualified (married) boyfriend as a prosecutor yet claims any criticism of her is racist.
- The United States Vice President was required to meet ONLY two criteria: Black and Female.
- A White House Press Secretary self-proclaiming she is historic because of her skin color, gender, and sexual orientation.
- Black students are discouraged from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math {STEM} high school and college classes.
- Elimination of SAT and ACTs because the tests are deemed racist and Brown students score lower.
- Pursuing positions utilizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to gain an advantage.
- The government once again mandated banks accept lower credit scores and zero down payments for Brown people. We tried this earlier, and millions lost their homes!
- Private and governmental organizations {such as United Airlines and the FAA} publicly stated their hiring goals would focus on skin color, gender, and disabilities, with no mention of competencies.
THE OVERARCHING THEME – BROWN PEOPLE ARE INFERIORE
I and millions more call BULLSHIT.
EARNING YOUR SUCCESS!
When fueled by a cause beyond personal gain, grit becomes the cornerstone of one’s journey. Success transcends mere talent or luck; it hinges on the relentless pursuit of goals through unwavering grit and determination. The path to success, irrespective of race or background, demands a commitment to overcoming challenges and striving for excellence.
On the above, how many checkboxes did Michael Jordan or my Uncle Junior tick off?
Michael Jordan didn’t receive six NBA championships as a gift; he earned them through unparalleled dedication and skill. Imagine attempting to GIVE him a seventh championship – he’d likely slap the fool!
Equality cannot be bestowed through a regressive concept like Equity. At its core, equality entails providing individuals or groups with the same resources and opportunities. On the other hand, Equity acknowledges diverse circumstances and allocates resources and opportunities tailored to achieving an equal outcome, even when it involves discriminatory measures.
DR. THOMAS SOWELL SAID:
SUCCESS REQUIRES HARD WORK
Success is not just about talent or luck; it’s about the relentless pursuit of goals through grit and determination. Understanding the qualities that define successful individuals and incorporating them into your life can pave the way for a journey of resilience, passion, and purpose. Cultivate grit, embrace challenges, and keep your eyes on the long-term prize – success will be the inevitable outcome of your unwavering commitment to your dreams.
To be great at ANYTHING takes hard work, grit, and determination. You will never be given greatness.
YOU CAN EARN ANYTHING! Now get off your ass and do it!
WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU WANT TO READ NEXT? WHAT QUESTIONS CAN I ANSWER? UNTIL NEXT TIME!
LET’S EARN YOUR FINANCIAL FREEDOM!
BECAUSE I CARE
St Jude Hospital: The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.https://www.stjude.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: An American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services, and events for wounded veterans of the military https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Folds of Honor: Providing life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten. https://foldsofhonor.org
Wilson’s No-Kill Animal Shelter: A N0-Kill shelter that is a top-rated non-profit. They compassionately care for all their animals. https://wcnkas.org
Tunnel To Towers: Since 9/11, we have been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE!
TRUST ME – YOU WILL LIKE THE BELOW POPULAR BLOGS!
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’s WHAT YOU GIVE!
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE!
A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES} – BADRINARAYANAN KOTHANDARAMAN, ENPHASE ENERGY, CEO
RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS– TEACHER RAYMOND NELSON CREATED GENTLEMEN’S CLUB TO TEACH LIFE LESSONS TO BOYS WHO HAVE NO DADS AT HOME
A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES} – MARIO HOOVER – 16 YEARS OLD!
A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES} – LEGENDARY INVESTOR JOHN ROGERS JR
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2022/03/09/black-and-brown-role-models-series-legendary-investor-john-rogers-jr/
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS {SERIES} – ROBERT L. JOHNSON, FOUNDER BET – FEBRUARY 24, 2022
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS {SERIES} – JAMES AND JILEA HEMMINGS BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICANS OWNERS OF AN AUTONOMOUS GROCERY STORE – ON FEBRUARY 25, 2022
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2022/02/25/black-history-month-role-models-james-and-jilea-hemmings-become-first-african-americans-owners-of-an-autonomous-grocery-store-february-25-2022/
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS {SERIES} BILLIONAIRE ROBERT F. SMITH – FEBRUARY 23, 2022
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS -REGINALD LEWIS – FEBRUARY 22, 2022
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2022/02/22/black-history-month-role-models-reginald-lewis-february-22-2022/
“WHAT WE BECOME DEPENDS ON WHAT OUR FATHERS TEACH US AT ODD MOMENTS, WHEN THEY AREN’T TRYING TO TEACH US”
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2021/11/03/what-we-become-depends-on-what-our-fathers-teach-us-at-odd-moments-when-they-arent-trying-to-teach-us/
WE NEED MORE STEM MAJORS AND LEGACIES LIKE MYLES JOHNSON!
WE NEED MORE STEM MAJORS AND LEGACIES LIKE MYLES JOHNSON!
DADS WHO RAISED ME TO BE MORE THAN I COULD BE!
DADS WHO RAISED ME TO BE MORE THAN I COULD BE!
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY – “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WITH WHICH YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD” NELSON MANDELLA
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
