“You’re cool. You’re fucking cool. Don’t let anybody change you.”

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

In 2012, I was sixteen. At my uncle’s Super Bowl party, I sat at the bar in his basement. I happened to sit next to the only black man present. Now, let me be clear, race is a construct and we are all born with the same potential.

The man and I started talking. It was a glorious evening. The Packers were winning, alcohol was flowing, and me and this man learned a lot about each other.

Thought I have forgotten the details of what we talked about, at the end of the night, he said something to me that will never forget. This person’s parting words to me were, “You’re cool. You’re fucking cool. Don’t let anybody change you.”

These were the most encouraging possible words to hear at this point in my life. I let his advice guide me for many years to come. Even today, it comes in handy.