The NBA players probably were either consciously or unconsciously testing my sincerity by asking questions about the location of the Garden of Eden, Africa’s involvement in biblical history, etc. They asked questions that previously weren't even a blip on my radar screen. This opened my eyes and I began to do a bit of research on the topic. I was genuinely intrigued but still didn’t have an overview of the issues at hand.

   In 1995 I met Don Griffin. At the time he was the Senior VP of Human Resources of a large milk company in Union, New Jersey. Don had hired me to facilitate a leadership initiative for the senior management of the company, which involved a series of seminars entitled, "Dealing With People Who Drive You Crazy."

   After one of the training sessions at Don's company I came back home to Maryland and conducted some research on my own. It didn’t take long for me to realize that what Don was saying was true. This new knowledge fueled my passion for learning more.

The Freeman Institute Foundation -- Developing Black History Galleries in selected major cities.

An Open Invitation to Participate in -- "THE MOMENT" -- Dr. Freeman's Latest Book Project
 

   I began to watch videos from the local library. Africa: A Voyage of Discovery, an 8-part series by Basil Davidson. The Promised Land, a series about the move of African Americans from the South to the Chicago region. Eyes on the Prize, Part I & II. And many more...

   I also began reading books (pro and con) on the topic by Martin Bernal, Chancellor Williams, Mary Lefkowitz, Richard Poe, Cheikh Anta Diop, Gaston Maspero, Dr. ben-Jochannan, and others. Noted author and historian, Ivan Van Sertima sent me a box filled with many of the books he had edited and written. Egypt Revisited was an eye-opener. After reading a book from the box, Ivan gave me permission to call him and ask any questions that emerged while reading. He was very patient with me, becoming my historical guide.

   Don wrote the first half, addressing the historical information, entitled -- THE BLACK MAN: HIS PAST RESTORED / HIS PRESENT FACED / HIS FUTURE HOPE DEFINED. Out of 14 pages of research notes in the back of the book, Don filled 13 pages. He combined a scholarly approach, with a reader-friendly writing style.

   I wrote the second half, entitled -- ROAD TO GLORY: THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL ROAD MAP TO WHOLENESS. In preparation for this part of the book, I interviewed 40-50 African American men. I was present at each interview to ask questions, listen and learn. Through these conversations I began to weld the impact of the Grieving Process (Elizabeth Kubler Ross model) together with racism and prejudice.

   The book was subsequently published in 1997, endorsed by Bill Cosby, Julius Erving, Ben Carson, Joe Frazier, Tony Evans and many others. Based upon the positive response to the book, we decided to make the 45-minute film version, which was released in 2004. The film has now been translated (subtitles) into French, Portuguese and Spanish, with subtitles in English (for hearing impaired). One of the objectives of Return To Glory is to raise the funds necessary to donate a special not-for-resale copy of the DVD version if the film to every prison, jail, juvenile detention facility and school in America -- TruthCentric.com

   When I speak on the topic of Black History, I sometimes communicate that even if I were surgically altered to look like someone of African descent, I still wouldn't have a complete understanding of the Black experience. Why? Because I was raised with a White consciousness and also a Canadian consciousness. I cannot explain much. I can report what I am hearing. I have two ears, one mouth. There's a parable there somewhere. St. Augustine said (4th Century), "Seek to understand before seeking to be understood." I have learned a heck of a lot more by listening than I have ever learned by speaking.

   When I present on the subject of Black history, I generally close out the session with "Q&R" (Question & Response) I do not call it "Q&A", because I do not have many answers...but I can respond to questions. Hopefully the collective wisdom in the room will emerge, addressing the specific issues communicated in the questions posed.

   Both Afrocentrism and Eurocentrism have good points to them. But the more I have studied, the more I have realized that both disciplines also have some pretty crazy/fringe stuff that's isn't corroborated by original sources. I'd rather use the term: "truthcentric," hopefully providing more light than heat.

   Regarding my motives: I am confident, knowing that my motives have been tested by time and many questions -- desiring to educate and inspire in the most non-partisan, pure manner possible.

   But I also am very aware that on a "Suspicion Scale" from "somewhat suspicious" to "extremely suspicious" we are banging on the "extremely suspicious" end of the scale when it comes to a White man discussing Black History...and for good reasons, historically.

   When I speak or write on the topic, it is my hope that people will not only "hear the words", but will also hear the music" -- the passion.

   Believe me, I am a work in progress. A number of years ago, I was afraid of saying something stupid, so I kept my thoughts to myself. I no longer do that. I believe in relationship-building and boldly risking along the way as trust is built. When I say something stupid in dialogue with another African American, I ask the person to feel free to attack my head (I wasn’t thinking), but please do not attack my heart (I really do mean well).

   My first love is talking with White people about the topic, but I also have realized that relatively few Black people have an awareness of their history. Initially this was a rather shocking concept to me. And I am still wondering how this picture can be changed.

   I have asked certain people to be my cultural guides and others to be my historical guides (like Ivan VanSertima). I have been criticized by some, but for the most part people have been respectful. About a decade ago I shared with an African American friend of mine (retired NBA player) an incident when I felt I was being unfairly judged by another person because of my interest in Black History. He smiled and then wisely responded with, “Welcome to the struggle.”

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The Freeman Institute Black History Collection

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Dr. Freeman's e-mail address is: joel@freemaninstitute.com . You may log-on to
FreemanInstitute.com or TruthCentric.com or Black101.com to find out more about the projects.
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About Dr. Freeman:

Joel Freeman is president of The Freeman Institute, an organizational culture change firm based in Severn, Md., and facilitates many seminar programs, including "Dealing With People Who Drive You Crazy!"® "A White Man's Journey Into Black History," "Diversity: The Value of Mutual Respect" and "When Strangling Someone Is Not An Option." He also coaches executives in their personal/professional lives. Freeman has authored other internationally acclaimed books. 

The DVD, "A White Man's Journey Into Black History" is the story of Freeman's journey in co-authoring that book. Freeman made this PowerPoint presentation (with video clips) before a group of 600 African American men on a Saturday morning in the Washington, D.C. area. Several cameras were set up and they decided to edit it down for the 140-minute DVD presentation.