My bride, Daphne Brownlee, and I met Sugar Ray Leonard two years ago.
What I didn’t know then was the depth of the fight he was carrying long after the crowd stopped cheering. I just finished "The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring", and it reminded me of a truth every educator and leader needs to remember: We never really know what someone is fighting to overcome.
As a college president, this hit close to home. Our students walk into classrooms carrying far more than assignments. Our colleagues show up to work carrying more than job titles. Strength is often survival disguised as success.
This book reinforced my commitment to lead with grace, compassion, and love—especially when I don’t have the full story.
In 2026, I set a personal goal to read a new book every 10 days. This one reminded me why empathy must sit at the center of leadership.
