Tony Farmer + Hope Katz Gibbs Introduce the Black Lives Matter Radio Show

Why: In July 2020, the Inkandescent team knew we wanted to help shine a light on people with important messages about the Black Lives Matter movement that has taken the country, and the world, by storm. So we decided to put action behind that idea.

What / Where: It is with pride and pleasure that in August 2020, we launch an Inkandescent Radio Show, where we’ll interview leaders from around the US who will help us explore topics, discuss challenges, and share their ideas on how we can all live together with more equality, peace, and love. We are also at work, creating a book featuring our interviews, coming in 2021.

Your Host: Tony Farmer, director of development at The Inkandescent Group,, will be leading the conversation. A powerful life coach and minister with decades of experience working in human resources departments at organizations that include the federal government, he’ll guide us through conversations that we know will provide insight and solace in the civil rights movement. Joining him as co-host is Hope Katz Gibbs, founder of Inkandescent.

Episodes and Interviews Coming this Fall:

• Reggie Smith, executive director of the United States Distance Learning Association — Washington, DC
• Siddeeq Shabazz, former NFL player and wellness coach — Las Cruces, NM
• Kimberly Lee Minor, founder, Bumbershoot — NYC
• Suzie Love, Swedish rock star and Ph.D. student in education — Claremont, CA
• And many, many more!

Scroll down to read Tony’s introduction to our show and book.

A Life Coach Shares his “Quiet Rage” — and offers steps toward healing

By Tony Farmer, Director of Development, The Inkandescent Group, LLC

Since the tragic death of George Floyd at the hand of the Minnesota Police Officers, I have been struggling. I’ve been trying to get my head wrapped around how I feel. I’ve had conversations with people who are seeking explanations as to why it happened. Others want to know how it has impacted the Black Community. Some need comfort and consolation to help them cope with watching a video depicting the loss of a man’s life.

The fact is that I just haven’t taken the time to focus on how I feel until now.

I started digging through memories, recalling situations, scenarios, and experiences that I have suppressed. I swept past the fake smiles that I’ve worn, the artificial pleasantries exchanged, and the micro-insults endured.

Soon my skin felt warm, my muscles tensed, my heart became heavy. Suddenly, my breathing seemed to come in shallow puffs instead of a rhythmic flow of air in and out. As I delved deeper into my caged conscious, one word kept flashing in my mind like a fiery neon sign, “RAGE.” The word rang loudly in my ears, the voice screaming it was mine. It’s evident that the rage was always there, but I had managed to keep it quiet; today, however, it will no longer be ignored.

How can this be happening again? Where is the justice? Why didn’t anyone come to his aid? When do I get to feel safe? A scene flashed in my mind where I am the one on the ground pleading for my life. Images are streaming in my head of my brothers and my nephew with targets on their backs because of skin color.

Now I am standing face to face with this ball of anger, fear, and angst, asking myself, “what can I do”?

• I must temper my rage with self-reflection, empathy, and intellect.
• I will use my voice to spread a message of hope instead of hate.
• I will use my hands to build relationships instead of tear down individuals who don’t look like me.
• I will stand strong and move the needle of equality forward instead of allo