🔥 Serena, Kendrick, and who? In Community #62

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“They tried to rig the game, but you can’t fake influence.” – Kendrick Lamar

If you haven’t yet seen or heard about the halftime performance at this year’s Super Bowl, congratulations – you’ve managed to successfully stay away from culture this week entirely.

For the other roughly 135 million of us who did see it – more than the number who watched the Big Game itself – it stood out and apart.

Whether you loved it or didn’t, you have to acknowledge that.

When I wrote about creating your sanctuary last week, I described it as a space where we’re stronger, by locking arms. The performance, led by Kendrick Lamar, in its blend of artistry and activism demonstrated that image effectively.

Sanctuary isn’t necessarily a physical space – it can be an act or a movement.

Over the course of thirteen minutes, not only did the performers literally lock arms but they did so symbolically as well. They showcased an image of what solidarity can look like and how putting your values on display can create influence.

It wasn’t about Lamar – it was about the characters that have driven our collective history and the character it’ll take for us to build our future.

Case in point: Serena Williams appearing on screen for an unexpected cameo offered a story within a story as she crip walked her way through.

Look no further than Williams for a model of impact that tangibly moved communities forward. The reference to the backlash post the tennis legend’s Wimbledon win is a reminder of how far we’ve come – and she herself has gone beyond redefining success in sports and actively invested in communities as an entrepreneur.

She used that stage as an opportunity to make her statement – as did Zul-Qarnain Nantambu. The latter is likely a name you haven’t heard. As Nantambu broke from the performance, he ran across the field raising flags to bring awareness to humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan.

He used his moment to seize the opportunity and create influence, knowing that we’re at an inflection point in our culture and for our communities.

👉🏽 So, the question I have for you is this: How will you seize your opportunity when it matters, and how will you use your influence?

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In community,

Fahad