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In response to John Lewis's famous quote "we all have roles to play", JRL leader Terrel Respass, MS, MBA shares his role in daily life and as a member of FPI's community. FPI is working to fulfill John Lewis's mandate that "we all have roles to play" through our nonpartisan work to foster greater understanding, mutual respect, moral reflection, and honest conversation for the good of our nation. What role are you playing? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Fordham University couldn’t have made a better choice in Joe Moglia for namesake id their newly dubbed Moglia Stadium. Learned and always learning lots from Coach, preciate and thankful for everything he’s taught and done for me and countless others #BAM We need more #BAM QUICK STORY: Back before Spring 2012 just after my sophomore football season playing Punt Return & Kick Return for the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers, we learned we’d be getting a new Head Coach & Staff. I’d wanted and, in my opinion, deserved to be playing Slot Receiver for the previous 2 years, and had been seriously entertaining transfering, which I now gratefully set aside upon hearing the CCU announcement - we’d be getting Coach Joe. After some initial due diligence research (i.e. googling), I was immediately intrigued, ordered and read his book ‘The Perimeter Attack Offense: The Key to Winning Football’ (great read available on Amazon), which was mode up my passing lane in terms of pass/run ratio, discussed with friends and teammates how Coastal would wind up FBS and see tremendous growth out the gate, and thankfully stuck around to see whether I might get a fair shake in the Slot that Spring. For the next 2 seasons I was our team’s Slot Receiver & Punt Returner, and today my younger bro’s in teal playin the other side of the ball for the Chants. More pertinent and far more impressive is what Coach did with and for our team, the same team mind you - all welcomed/encouraged to stay and most opting in (very rare amidst mid collegiate coaching changes)- in my 2 years Moglia years, and in every year since, on and off the field, in and out of the classrooms. We learned to know & live his #BAM philosophy, standing on our own 2 feet, taking responsibility for ourselves and accepting the consequences of our actions. As we bought into #BAM we unified as a team, with off field issues soon becoming extinct, team GPAs significantly increasing, and our initial 90-something national ranking dropping to #20 in just Year 1! Then all the way to #1 for the majority of the 2013 season in Year 2!! Once a Chant, always a Chant - no doubt - but since my time in teal, setting aside all the positive growth and notoriety the University itself has accumulated, things for Chant Football have only consistently gotten bigger and better, moving up to FBS, significantly increaseing the size of its Brooks Football Stadium, now building a new state of the art indoor facility, and becoming a nationwide household name and place to be 💯 Without Coach Joe, Coastal wouldn’t be Coastal, and now, deservedly so, neither would Fordham’s Moglia Stadium #BAM

What an incredible message about facing fear head on and how we can all work to be more courageous by being vulnerable enough to work together to find solutions. This can be applied to all areas of life. If you are a leader I ask you this: Are you courageous enough to be vulnerable so that you can truly serve those who follow you? People often put leaders on a pedestal. It’s a natural thing to do when you respect someone. However, it often overshadows the many failures that the leader has overcome to get them to their current point in life. Leaders, you have a DUTY to be vulnerable with those that deserve it, but especially with your direct followers. Help them grow from your past struggles and subsequent lessons. Share your wisdom. Share your passion. LEAD the way!

"My view is that the fears and adversities we encounter are our opportunity to accept what is and explore what is on the other side of fear to grow stronger, better, and have peace of mind." - Steve Gleason, New Orleans Saints legend and ALS warrior! What a powerful message. Take just a minute for this one. (video below):

I had to repost again, Rob's original post got me to watch Steve's speech, which then led to to look Steve up more where I found a show on Amazon Prime about Steve Gleason. If you haven’t seen Steve Gleason's acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, I urge you to put down everything you are doing and listen for a few minutes. His words on courage, fear, fearlessness, and resilience are truly inspiring. They left a profound impact on me, and I believe they will do the same for you. Steve Gleason, a former NFL player, and New Orleans hero, was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 34. Doctors gave him two to five years to live. Instead of succumbing to fear or despair, Steve chose to live his life to the fullest. His journey is captured in the Amazon Prime show "Gleason," which I highly recommend. This incredible man documented his experiences through personal video journals for his then-unborn son and shared his adventures and mission to live fully despite his diagnosis. His story is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and his character, fortitude, and resilience are truly inspiring. Steve Gleason's journey reminds us that true courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to move forward despite it. It is about embracing life with all its challenges and choosing to make every moment count. His mindset and resilience are a beacon of hope and strength for all of us. In a world where we often face our own battles, Steve's story encourages us to look within and find the strength to persevere. It’s a powerful reminder that we can overcome adversity with the right mindset and a resilient spirit. Let Steve Gleason's story inspire you to live boldly, to face your fears head-on, and to never let anything hold you back from living a life full of purpose and passion. As Rob Pallante said, "The word 'courage' doesn't do him justice." Watch his speech, watch the show, and let his journey inspire you to cultivate a champion mindset. Embrace resilience, build character, and live life to its fullest potential. #ChampionMindset #SteveGleason #Inspiration #Resilience #Courage #MindsetMatters #LiveBoldly

perspective is incredibly powerful and humbling.

I shed tears listening to Steve Gleason’s speech as he received the ESPN ESPY Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. His words pierced through the noise of our divided world. Steve said, “Given our interconnectedness, the greatest aspect of our purpose is to generously help, serve, and love others. Do we have the courage to unconditionally love our neighbors, our so-called enemies, and love ourselves?” The answer to his question, tragically, is a resounding NO. Courage is lacking. Emotional intelligence is lacking. Vulnerability is lacking. Love is lacking. And consequently, progress is lacking. In a world where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging should be the cornerstones of our society, we often find ourselves entangled in the web of divisive and selfish decisions. The true essence of these values lies not in acknowledging differences but in embracing and celebrating them. It demands emotional intelligence to understand and empathize with experiences different from our own. It requires the courage to be vulnerable, to admit our flaws, and to commit to growth. Steve’s speech doesn’t contain lofty ideations; it is quite practical. But it requires a decision. A decision to be the person who creates environments where everyone feels they belong. A decision to challenge our biases and stand up against inequity. A decision to educate ourselves mentally and emotionally to listen, learn, and love without conditions. We have the capacity to answer YES to Steve’s question. The question is, are you embodying love, empathy, and vulnerability through your actions? Together, we can elevate, unite, and create a future where everyone truly feels valued, regardless of their values. #DEI #EmotionalIntelligence #Courage #Leadership #Inclusion #Equity #Belonging

This is great news. How do we get more Female Athletic Directors? Let's celebrate all the ones who have made it. Give them a shout-out. Currently, only five out of the 65 athletic director positions are held by women. From Sandy Barbour in the Big Ten, to Jennifer Cohen in the Pac-12, to Heather Lyke and Carla Williams in the ACC, and Candice Storey Lee in the SEC, and Renee Baumgartner at Santa Clara. These exceptional women are, well, the exception. Working on the change - remind me of others..... Sandy Barbour, JenniferCohen, Heather Lyke, Carla Green Williams, Candice Storey Lee, Ed.D. #Womencoaching #sportknowledge #sportcoaching

🎓 Alumni Spotlight🎓 Meet Alex Brinkman '22, a shining example of Lacy School of Business success! After managing Butler University's Campus Manager program, she joined University Tees as a Business Development Leader overseeing 15 schools, including Butler. 🌟 Read her inspiring journey in the full alumni success story! #LacySuccessStories #ButlerAlumni #BusinessSuccess"

Great perspective on the North Carolina power grid.