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This classic poem is perfect for any coach in your life who is a practicing ally. Engaging in critical conversations across cultures takes courage. Imagine having this daily reminder on the wall. Maya Angelou once said, “Courage is the greatest of all virtues.”

IS THERE COURAGE IN THE COACH?

By Venus Jones

Dear coach, I know life is not fair.
Yet I expect you to care and be aware.

When I start crying and staring into space, I want to know if it’s safe to bring up race.

Sometime stories of struggle can make us connect. Sometimes I need to know if I can breathe and reflect.

How much about my history did you choose to learn? Have you been willing to rebuild what’s been burned?

People can be bridges if they have the right tools. But too many believe being vulnerable is for fools.

Courage leads to advocacy, and freedom is the cause. Allyship is a life-long practice with very little pause.

Activism might look like art or protesting on marching day. It might also look like self-care and permission to pray.

Dear healer, the more you share the better I feel. Don’t just tell me I matter and hand me my bill.

When was the last time you spoke on my behalf ? Did you intervene before or after the laugh?

People are dying daily with no upstanding strategy or plan. No courage in the coach leads to no courage in the land.