Tag: writing

The NFL vs. The BFL: A Call to Legacy, Ownership, and Truth

September 28, 2025

By Charles Zackary King

For decades, Black athletes have been the soul of American football—yet they remain excluded from ownership, leadership, and legacy. It’s time to change that. It’s time for the BFL.

For nearly a century, the NFL has stood as a billion-dollar monument to American sports culture. But beneath the glitz and glamour lies a legacy rooted in exclusion, exploitation, and racial hierarchy. The league was built on the premise that only White men were fit to play, lead, and be celebrated. Black men were not just excluded, they were deemed incapable, inferior, and unworthy of the spotlight.

As the game evolved in the 1950s and ’60s, Black athletes were slowly integrated, not to be honored, but to protect and elevate White players. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs were shielded by Black bodies, while the myth of White superiority remained intact. Even as Black players electrified the sport and filled stadiums, they were paid less, respected less, and denied the recognition they deserved.

Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just about football. It was about power. It was about ownership. It was about maintaining a system where Black excellence was commodified but never truly valued.

Take Joe Gilliam and James Harris, two quarterbacks whose talent was undeniable, yet whose careers were stifled by a league that refused to see them as leaders. Gilliam backed up Terry Bradshaw, a man Hollywood Henderson famously called “dumb as rocks.” Harris sat behind Dan Fouts and Joe Namath, despite outplaying them in key moments. These weren’t isolated incidents. They were systemic.

Fast forward to today: the NFL is 85% African American. Black athletes are the heartbeat of the league. They are the reason fans tune in, the reason merchandise flies off shelves, the reason billions are made. And yet, there are still no Black owners. Still only a handful of Black head coaches. Still a media machine that uplifts White leadership while undermining Black brilliance.

So I ask: if the people come to see you, why not own the stage?

Why not build the BFL, the Black Football League?

A league where Black athletes are paid their true worth.
A league where Colin Kaepernick’s knee is honored, not punished.
A league where free speech isn’t a liability, but a right.
A league where ownership reflects the talent on the field.
A league where legacy is built by those who live it.

A league where you do not have to celebrate a racist like Charlie Kirk.

This isn’t just a dream. It’s a call to action.

To every player who’s ever been told they weren’t smart enough, weren’t good enough, weren’t “marketable” enough—this is your moment. To every fan who sees the truth and wants change—this is your movement.

Let’s stop asking for seats at tables built to exclude us. Let’s build our own.

The NFL vs. BFL isn’t just a competition. It’s a reckoning.
It’s time.

Call to Action

A powerful call to action for Black athletes to reclaim ownership, legacy, and truth in a sport built on exclusion. Charles Zackary King challenges the NFL’s historical and ongoing racial dynamics and proposes a bold alternative: the BFL.

If you believe in this vision, share this post.
Tag your favorite players.
Challenge the status quo.
Let the world know: we’re ready.

Norris B. Herndon: A Quiet Force Behind Black Wealth and LGBTQ+ Legacy

August 22, 2025

In the tapestry of Black excellence, some threads shimmer quietly, woven not with fanfare, but with steadfast resilience and visionary leadership. Norris Bumstead Herndon, the second president of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, was one such thread. His story is not only one of business brilliance but also of quiet courage, lived identity, and a legacy that continues to empower generations of Black entrepreneurs and LGBTQ+ trailblazers.

Born Into Legacy, Raised With Expectation

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1897, Norris Herndon was the only child of Adrienne McNeil and Alonzo Herndon, a formerly enslaved man who built Atlanta Life into one of the most successful Black-owned businesses in America. From a young age, Norris was immersed in the world of Black leadership, his father took him to the founding meeting of the Niagara Movement, a precursor to the NAACP, when he was just seven years old.

Educated at Atlanta University and later Harvard Business School (where he was one of only two Black graduates in his class), Herndon was groomed to inherit a legacy but he carried it with a quiet, complex grace.

A Business Titan in the Shadows

After his father’s death in 1927, Norris became president of Atlanta Life at just 28. Under his leadership, the company’s assets grew from $1 million to $84 million by the time he retired in 1973. He was a master of strategic growth, cautious investment, and philanthropic generosity. Yet, despite his towering business success, Herndon remained reclusive rarely seen by employees, seldom speaking publicly, and never marrying.

His silence wasn’t just personal, it was protective. Friends and biographers have noted that Herndon struggled with his sexuality in a time when being openly gay, especially as a Black man in the South, could mean social and professional exile. He lived privately, navigating the expectations of a stern father and a society that demanded conformity.

Quiet Courage, Loud Impact

Though Herndon never publicly identified as gay, his life speaks volumes about the quiet resilience of Black LGBTQ+ pioneers. He built and sustained one of the most powerful Black-owned businesses in the country while living authentically in the margins. His story reminds us that leadership doesn’t always roar, it sometimes whispers, survives, and uplifts from behind the curtain.

Herndon’s philanthropic legacy is vast: he founded the Alonzo F. and Norris B. Herndon Foundation, donated land and funds for Herndon Stadium at Atlanta University, and supported institutions like the NAACP, the National Urban League, and Morris Brown College. His giving was strategic, generous, and deeply rooted in community uplift.

The Herndon Home: A Living Testament

Today, the Herndon Home stands as a museum and monument to the family’s journey from slavery to Black business royalty. It’s also a quiet shrine to Norris’s legacy, a place where Black excellence, queer resilience, and generational wealth intersect.

For Black LGBTQ+ youth, entrepreneurs, and legacy-builders, Herndon’s life offers a blueprint: You don’t have to be loud to be legendary. You don’t have to be seen to be significant. You just have to be committed to your truth, your people, and your purpose.

Honoring the Unspoken Heroes

In celebrating Norris B. Herndon, we honor the countless Black LGBTQ+ leaders whose contributions have shaped our communities from behind the scenes. Their stories, often hidden, sometimes erased, are essential to the full picture of Black history and progress.

Herndon’s legacy lives on in every Black business that dares to dream, every queer leader who chooses authenticity, and every community that rises through collective empowerment.

Keep the Legacy Alive: Support, Visit, Empower

Norris B. Herndon’s life reminds us that legacy is not just inherited, it’s built, protected, and passed on with intention. His quiet strength and visionary leadership laid the foundation for Black wealth, community uplift, and the unspoken resilience of LGBTQ+ pioneers.

Support Black LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs
Invest in businesses that reflect the brilliance and diversity of our community. Whether you’re booking services, sharing platforms, or offering mentorship, your support fuels generational change. Seek out creators, founders, and leaders whose stories deserve to be seen and celebrated.

Visit the Herndon Home Museum
Located in Atlanta, the Herndon Home is more than a historic site, it’s a living monument to Black excellence, entrepreneurship, and quiet resistance. Walk the halls where legacy was shaped, and honor the journey from slavery to success. Learn more and plan your visit through the Herndon Foundation.

Share This Story
Let Norris B. Herndon’s legacy echo beyond the pages. Share this post, spark conversations, and uplift the narratives that history too often silences. Because when we honor the past, we empower the future.

From Pain to Purpose: How the Acre Boyzz Are Reclaiming Black Land and Legacy

August 22, 2025

In a quiet corner of the South, 31 acres of land hold stories that were never meant to be forgotten. Among the trees stands one in particular—a haunting witness to a brutal chapter in American history. It’s the site of lynchings, a place where Black lives were stolen in silence. But today, that land is no longer a symbol of terror. It’s a symbol of reclamation, resilience, and rebirth.

The Acre Boyzz, a group of visionary Black men committed to rewriting the narrative of land ownership, have purchased this sacred ground. And they’re not just farming it—they’re transforming it.

Honoring the Past Without Erasing It

The Acre Boyzz didn’t bulldoze the tree. They didn’t bury the history. Instead, they leaned into it. They’ve chosen to preserve the site as a living memorial—a place where truth is spoken, pain is acknowledged, and healing begins.

“We can’t build a future if we don’t confront the past,” one member shared. “This tree is a reminder of what was done to us. But now, it’s also a reminder of what we’re doing for ourselves.”

Their approach is not about forgetting—it’s about reclaiming. By turning a site of violence into a space of growth, they’re showing that legacy isn’t just inherited—it’s cultivated.

The Truth About Black Land Ownership

The Acre Boyzz are also dropping facts that shake the soul. In 1910, Black Americans owned over 14 million acres of farmland. Today, that number has plummeted to less than 1 million. Systemic racism, discriminatory lending practices, and generational dispossession have stripped Black families of land, wealth, and opportunity.

But the Acre Boyzz are flipping the script. They’re proving that land ownership is not just possible—it’s powerful.

Farming Isn’t as Hard as You Think

One of the biggest myths they’re busting is that farming is too complicated, too expensive, or too inaccessible. Through workshops, digital content, and hands-on mentorship, they’re showing that growing food, raising livestock, and managing land can be learned—and shared.

“Farming is freedom,” they say. “It’s not just about crops. It’s about control. It’s about feeding your family, your community, and your future.”

They’re building a model that’s replicable, scalable, and rooted in cultural pride.

What’s Next: Building Legacy

The Acre Boyzz aren’t stopping at 31 acres. Their vision includes:

  • Educational retreats for Black youth to learn agriculture, history, and entrepreneurship
  • Healing spaces for families and communities to gather, reflect, and grow
  • Partnerships with Black-owned businesses to create a sustainable ecosystem
  • A documentary series to share their journey and inspire others to reclaim land

Their goal is not just to farm—it’s to build a legacy. One rooted in truth, watered by resilience, and harvested with hope.

Final Thoughts

The Acre Boyzz are proof that pain can be transformed into purpose. That land can be more than soil—it can be sacred. And that legacy isn’t just what we leave behind—it’s what we live into.

As they walk the land where ancestors once suffered, they do so with reverence and resolve. Because they know: the future is planted in the past. And they’re here to make sure it grows.

Nick of Time: The Heart and Vision of Nate Paxton Jr.

August 13, 2025

In a world that often celebrates noise over substance, Nate Paxton Jr. stands out as a man of quiet strength and unwavering purpose. Rooted in faith, family, and a deep sense of responsibility, Nate doesn’t just show up—he shows up with intention. Whether mentoring young leaders, supporting community initiatives, or simply offering a listening ear, he brings compassion and clarity to every space he enters.

Nate is known not just for what he does, but for how he makes people feel—heard, valued, and inspired. His leadership is grounded in resilience and a commitment to growth, always striving to be better for himself, his loved ones, and the legacy he’s building. At his core, he’s a connector—someone who sees the potential in others and helps them rise.

That spirit of connection and purpose is the foundation of his nonprofit, Nick of Time.

The Mission Behind Nick of Time

Nick of Time was born out of a simple but powerful truth: too many student athletes in under-resourced communities are overlooked—not just in sports, but in life. Nate saw the gap and decided to build a bridge.

The organization’s mission is clear:

To mentor, guide, and advance the academic and athletic careers of underprivileged young student athletes. Through personalized mentorship programs, comprehensive educational support, and first-class marketing systems, Nick of Time creates scholarship opportunities and prepares youth for life beyond the game.

This isn’t just about getting recruited. It’s about being equipped—for college, for careers, for adulthood.

Vision for a Greater Future

Nick of Time envisions a world where student athletes aren’t defined solely by their performance on the field or court. Instead, they’re empowered to become professionals in whatever trade or endeavor they choose once their playing career ends.

By providing tools, resources, and mentorship, the organization helps young people transition from athletic identity to professional purpose. It’s about creating leaders—educated, equipped, and ready to succeed.

Who Nick of Time Serves

  • Male and female student athletes in low-resource environments
  • Youth from 8th to 12th grade
  • College athletes seeking career guidance beyond sports

These are young people who often lack exposure, guidance, and access. Nick of Time steps in to fill that gap—with heart, strategy, and consistency.

The Problem They’re Solving

Too many student athletes in underserved communities fall through the cracks. They have talent, drive, and dreams—but not the resources to turn those dreams into reality. Nick of Time is changing that.

By compiling academic and athletic resumes, gathering film, and distributing it to hundreds of coaches and universities weekly, the organization ensures each student finds the right fit. But it doesn’t stop there.

Weekly mentorship through Zoom calls, in-person meetups, seminars, and trips keeps students grounded and growing. Live events throughout the year bring speakers, career opportunities, and internships directly to them—building not just athletes, but professionals.

What Nick of Time Offers

  • Academic and athletic resume building
  • Film distribution to coaches and universities
  • Weekly mentorship (Zoom, in-person, seminars, trips)
  • Live events with speakers and career/internship opportunities
  • Guidance for life after sports

This holistic approach ensures that every student is seen, supported, and set up for success.

Final Thoughts

Nate Paxton Jr. is building more than a nonprofit—he’s building a movement. One that says to every overlooked student athlete: You matter. Your future matters. And we’re here to help you claim it.

Nick of Time is proof that when purpose meets preparation, lives change. Communities transform. And legacies are born.

If you’re looking for a model of mentorship, leadership, and impact, look no further than Nate Paxton Jr. and the work he’s doing—right on time.

Please click on the link below and become a part of our family and growth:

http://nickoftimementor.com/

Writing Update: Exciting Developments Ahead!

May 16, 2025

Hello, dear readers and fans! I hope this message finds you well and excited! As we journey together through the world of storytelling, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the progress of my upcoming projects. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

A Deep Dive into the Series

First off, I’m thrilled to announce that the journey of my 6-part book series has officially begun! The first installment is already out, and I’m so grateful for the positive feedback you’ve shared. Your enthusiasm fuels my passion to keep going! Currently, I have Books 2 and 3 completed and ready to go. However, I’ve decided to hold off on sending them to the publishing company for now. This is due to some logistical challenges and a few disturbances with my current publishing partner. I want to ensure that we have the right approach before moving forward. I promise that this series will keep you on the edge of your seat, drawing you deeper into the world I’ve created with every turn of the page!

Future Projects on the Horizon

Beyond the ongoing series, I have a treasure trove of ideas! There are 10 other book projects lined up on my shelf, each crafted with care and creativity, waiting to be perfected. My goal is to create stories that resonate with all segments of our great nation. And for those of you who love a twist of imagination, I am excited to dip my toes into Science Fiction! The technological era we’re living in provides such a rich canvas for creativity, and I can’t wait to explore it. Additionally, I’m working on my autobiography, which will be released in two parts. Sharing my journey with you has been a dream of mine, and I hope to provide insights into both the challenges and triumphs that have shaped who I am today.

I am also in the process of starting up my Book Club. For those of you that love reading and get excited about what we read, I want you especially to join the club. For all of you that are ready to connect and ready to read, lets do it. We will decide together what we will read and go forward. Please connect with me by emailing me at ckstoriesfromtheheart@gmail.com.

The Screenwriting Adventure

In exciting news, I’m also venturing into the realm of screenwriting! I’m currently developing scripts for both movies and television. One of these scripts is based on my first book series, and I can assure you it’s bursting with excitement and potential. The adaptation process is thrilling, and I can’t wait for you to see how it all comes to life on screen!

Stay Updated!

As you can see, there’s a lot in the pipeline, and I’m committed to making each project the best it can be. I encourage you to follow along for updates as they happen. Your support means everything to me, and it keeps my creativity alive. I can promise you that the finished products will be just what the doctor ordered—entertaining, engaging, and unparalleled in the worlds they create. Thank you for your unwavering support. I can’t wait to continue this journey with you, and I look forward to sharing more snippets of my work as we move forward. Let’s stay connected! Warmest regards, Charles Zackary King

My contact and Social:

ckstoriesfromtheheart@gmail.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorczking/

IG https://www.instagram.com/charleszackaryking/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-z-king-889218209/

X https://x.com/CZKing14

Why You Should Subscribe to “America in Black and White” and Tune into Our Podcast

December 18, 2024

In a time when discussions about race, culture, and identity are more important than ever, “America in Black and White” provides a unique platform for exploring these complex issues. If you’re looking for thought-provoking conversations that challenge the status quo while offering valuable insights into the American experience, look no further! Here’s why you should hit that subscribe button on our YouTube channel and tune in to our podcast.

The Premise: Bridging Divides Through Honest Conversations

At its core, “America in Black and White” is dedicated to fostering open dialogue about race relations in America. Our show dives deep into the lived experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds—exploring their personal stories, struggles, triumphs, and perspectives. Each episode features engaging discussions with guests who share their insights on critical topics such as systemic racism, privilege, cultural identity, social justice movements—and so much more! We aim not only to highlight the disparities present within our society but also to celebrate cultural contributions that shape America’s rich tapestry. By sharing these narratives through both visual storytelling on YouTube and candid discussions on our podcast format—we hope to create an environment of understanding where everyone’s voice matters.

Benefits of Subscribing: Why It’s Essential Viewing (and Listening)

  1. Authentic Perspectives: In an era when media can be polarized or sensationalized—our show prioritizes authentic voices over clickbait headlines! We believe real change starts with genuine conversations between people who come from different walks of life. Subscribers gain access not just to another talking head; they engage with real stories reflecting societal challenges faced by many Americans today.
  2. Educational Value: Understanding racial dynamics requires continuous education—especially regarding history often overlooked or misrepresented within academic spaces . Each episode serves as an opportunity for viewers/listeners learn something new , providing context around sensitive topics while challenging preconceived notions along way!
  3. Building Community: By subscribing—as well as actively participating via comments/feedback—we’re cultivating a community centered around empathy & respect. Our platform encourages dialogues between subscribers themselves—a chance to foster connections across divides while developing friendships rooted similarities rather than differences!
  4. Empowerment Through Knowledge: Awareness leads towards empowerment! Watching or listening equips audiences to critically examine their beliefs / behaviors – promoting individual growth needed collectively tackle pressing issues facing today like inequality climate change etc.! Engaging regularly allows us all contribute solutions moving forward together instead feeling helplessness watching events unfold passively news cycles.

5. It’s Entertaining Too!: Beyond addressing heavy subjects, we incorporate humor levity throughout episodes making learning enjoyable! With dynamic hosts captivating guests, each installment feels less like lecture series & more like catching up friends over coffee (or tea!) – leaving viewers excited anticipate the next installment!

6. Diversity Matters: The richness diversity is woven throughout the fabric of “America” isn’t just inclusive—it’s essential! Discover how different cultures intersect influence daily lives effect decisions taken levels government policy-making institutions alike, further aiding journey toward an equitable future.

Conclusion

By subscribing to “America In Black And White”—you’re joining a movement aimed at reshaping a narrative surrounding race relationships here within U.S. Together let’s break down barriers share stories amplify voices often unheard while navigating intricacies what it means live authentically amidst continual changes present day society offers us all opportunities to forge deeper understanding across divides created past moments in silence. So, grab your headphones or settle down in front of your screen—tune into insightful podcasts, watch riveting episodes filled with warmth and truth. Genuine connection awaits us ! Let’s embark this journey together – it promises to be an enlightening ride toward collective awareness where a brighter tomorrow awaits, if only we dare take first step forward together towards meaningful dialogue, exploration and possibilities!

https://www.youtube.com/@americainblackandwhite8299 Please click the link and subscribe to our YouTube Channel and click the Notification button to get notified every time we do a show or new content.

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