Dripping in MACT. featuring Desmond Ross

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What is Dripping in Black?

Desmond (00:02.036)
Okay, what is dripping in black? Dripping in black is When My Stars Align, my latest children's book. This is Desmond Ross.

Episode

Dominic Lawson (00:01.624)
What's up good people all across the world. This is the Dripping in Black podcast and I am one of your co-hosts, Dominic Lawson, multi-world-winning podcaster and proudly serving as director of podcasts as our education company. And so listen, I want to give a big shout out to the man behind the glass at Square for trusting me with this platform and this moment. Now, before we jump into the conversation, again, you know, you see the drip, we gotta, you know, gotta sell some shirts and some.

and some merch here, go to dibkdripshop.com for all your latest dripping in black merchandise. Again, that is dibkdripshop.com. But first, let's get to today's guest. He is a self-published author, entrepreneur, and creative inspired by family purpose and impact. He's originally from Ashburn, Virginia, but holding it down in Gainesville, Virginia. Now, he's a husband, father of two and founder of Make a Change Today, MACT a company that is

inspired by self-love, individuality, and positive change. He is the one, the only Desmond Ross. Big Des, what's up, man?

Desmond Ross (01:05.682)
Nothing much man, nothing much. Super excited to be here. I appreciate you all having me. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (01:11.306)
Absolutely, absolutely. I hope that introduction was okay. Awesome, awesome. So listen, man, for people who are just meeting you and meeting you and getting an idea of who you are, just kind of tell us a little bit about who Desmond Ross is, what you're about, and all those things.

Desmond Ross (01:15.314)
was perfect.

Desmond Ross (01:29.522)
you

Yeah, yeah, for sure. So first things first, know, I'm a family man. So I am a husband, proud husband and definitely a proud father. I have two little ones. I have an eight year old son and a three year old girl and she's just full of energy. but yeah, so I was originally born in Germany, Virginia. So I am a military brat. I was born in Germany and then I moved to Laurel, Maryland. I lived out there for some years, but raised most of my life in Ashburn, Virginia.

So I'm just happy to start this, well I've been on this author journey, but happy to be on this author journey. I'm just here to really inspire, of course, my little ones, but also kids all across the world. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (02:10.904)
Gotcha. Let's start there. Like, why children's books, right? Like, can I talk about, now you have three fantastic books that you've written, but why get more into writing children's books? And like, what's the impact you're trying to make there?

Desmond Ross (02:25.232)
Yeah, for sure. Thank you for that. Yes, my son, when I first had my son, about two years later, two or three years later, I was trying to figure out, what can I do to inspire him, right? Leave a legacy behind for him and again, inspire kids across the world. And this is during that time of COVID, right? That pandemic where everyone was kind of just struggling, trying to figure out what's next. So I wanted to see, hey, what can I do to really inspire others? And that's kind of how it started, which hints my company's make a change.

today, right? And that's founded on just being yourself, putting your best foot forward, self love and self growth, you know, kind of all wrapped in one. And that's kind of the basis of why I started that company. And then as far as children's book, because I have children, right? Little ones. And they love children's book. They love coloring. They love, you know, really being active and learning how to read and write. So it just made sense for me. On top of my passion, right? I feel like I really do have a creative mind. So

to be able to use my creative mindset in these books. think it's just an awesome feeling for me and really see my kids light up every time I release a book or do an event or talk to other kids their age and really inspiring them to be great. So that's kind of how it all started.

Dominic Lawson (03:44.876)
Yeah, talk about the book specifically. Like what's the theme of a few of the books and you know, which one is your favorite book that you've read? I know this is like picking, you know, who's your favorite kid. But like I say about my kids, listen, I don't have a favorite kid, but rankings come out every Tuesday, right? So, you know, but talk about the through line or the theme of all of the books that you're writing there.

Desmond Ross (03:52.973)
Haha. Yeah.

Desmond Ross (04:01.712)
Yeah.

Desmond Ross (04:08.914)
Yeah, so my theme is just, it's really based on reality. So you'll find my books that are really based on real life scenarios, but in animated way to really, again, talk about self love and improve, you know, how they think about themselves and letting them know that their voice matters. And so my first book, My Superpowers, the fun fact is it's part of a series called a Carter V Collection. And so my son's name is Carter. So it's based off him as being the main character in that series. And that first book,

Dominic Lawson (04:12.344)
Okay.

Desmond Ross (04:38.868)
My superpowers is about him imagining if he had superpowers how he would make the world a better place But again based off real-life scenarios like healing the sick feeding the homeless Providing homes for the ones in need so things that we all have seen and experienced in life But told in an animated way so that they can so these these kids can understand and really learn about you know real-life experiences And so my second book is floating courage again

it's part of that series of Carter V collection and that's about him overcoming the challenges of swimming to attend a pool party. But within the book it's layered with different messaging right of being able to find that courage to overcome your fears. There's messaging with him talking to his father. As me being a father I think that's super important to be present obviously you know in your kid's life. And there's the messaging of how to communicate and deal with your emotions and being brave on your own to again overcome your

your fears.

Dominic Lawson (05:40.792)
Let me ask you this, you know, we're talking about father ship and authorship and reading and children's books. You know, one of the things that we have seen within the black community is how no matter what outside narratives like to portray black fathers to be that they're super present, right? You know, congressional studies have said that like black fathers are, you know, avid when it comes to, you know, helping with homework, avid with like making sure kids eat things of that nature.

But specifically I wanna ask you is how important is it to have like for a black father to have that like that story time with their kid, right? Like you talk about your books and stuff like that. Like talk about the impact that you hope to see, you know, 20 years, 30 years down the line, just from that simple act of reading bedtime stories to your kids. Does that question make sense?

Desmond Ross (06:32.666)
It does make sense. And I'll answer that what I went through with father, for sure. So I'll start with that first. So I remember just little things. It's like my father taking me and my brother to Burger King, right? Just to eat. It wasn't about getting food. It wasn't about Burger King, but it was about just me and him talking about what's going on in my life. How do I feel? Things of that nature. Him and me just knowing that he was always there as my guy, you know, to talk to. So little things like that are always important and has laid, you know, that foundation.

Dominic Lawson (06:36.044)
Yeah, please do.

Desmond Ross (07:02.58)
for me to do the same thing for my children. So when we move that forward to reading books, it's the same thing, right? The kids understand, know, hopefully my kids understand I'm here, I'm present, I'm not going anywhere. I'm there, they're a guy that I always talk to and express their feelings and share what's going on that they're experiencing within school and just real life to share that with me. And I'm here to help them and guide them. So when we're reading different books that have different, you know, messaging and different, you know,

looks on life, it really sets that bar. I'm sorry, didn't mean to take it back. Yeah, yeah, sorry. But just having that ability to sit down with them, I think it really does play a part. And that's something that they'll remember when they get older. To read these different stories, to see the different colors and imagination, but sharing it with their father, think it's just super important. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (07:39.607)
No, you can go forward.

Dominic Lawson (07:57.678)
With that being said, know, when you're doing like book events and stuff like that, or people just talk about your book, what's some of the most rewarding comments or rewarding feedback you've gotten from your books?

Desmond Ross (08:12.014)
Yeah, that they again had that reality sense to it, you know Really telling that what we're all experiencing in real life. I think that really stands out just the colors of it as well There's the aesthetics And just the layering of messaging that are within the books I've always been told that that they really that you know Everyone really loves how the layering of the messaging within the books really stand out

Dominic Lawson (08:15.233)
Mm-hmm.

Dominic Lawson (08:34.328)
Got you. You know, no, go ahead. I'm sorry.

Desmond Ross (08:37.488)
I was going to say also, like with my books, I was told they really help parents to really have these discussions with their kids about real life scenarios. And I think that's super important as well so that, again, our parents can be active with their kids while reading my books.

Dominic Lawson (08:40.545)
Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (08:53.314)
Yeah, we're seeing that a lot more with children's books where they're kind of taking on maybe kind of tough conversations or as we like to say, adult kind of conversations or adult themes, if you will. All right. And I think it's, you know, it's not really to quote unquote dumb down the scenario, but it really is to prepare them for what we're trying to create, you know, for later on down the road, like this productive citizen, right? This productive person.

Desmond Ross (09:02.064)
Right.

Desmond Ross (09:18.716)
Right.

Dominic Lawson (09:21.344)
in society, right? Wouldn't you agree with that?

Desmond Ross (09:23.826)
I do agree, yes, that's what it's all about, at least for me, because this is a harsh world, right? We all have experienced different things and different personalities and being treated unfairly, so it's the reality. And that's why I'm here to kind of share that with my kids, but obviously in a kid way that they can understand. And obviously talk more about that as they get older, so they work where they can understand it. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (09:26.326)
Absolutely.

Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (09:50.552)
For sure. And so that kind of leads us to make a change today. Kind of talk about your company, its goal, its origin stories. I know you started in 2020. I guess I'm curious, and I know we were all going through a lot during 2020 and the pandemic and stuff like that. But I guess in addition to that, why was that the inflection point to like, you know what, now's the time. Cause I imagine this idea was in your head for a while and then the pandemic kind of gave us a...

Desmond Ross (10:04.55)
Yeah, yeah. All right.

Dominic Lawson (10:19.395)
window it's like, you know what? Why not now?

Desmond Ross (10:22.662)
Yeah, that's true. That's Yeah. So again, during that pandemic, was, it was a lot, it was a lot going on. People were just struggling, you know, financially, emotionally. So I was like, Hey, what can I do to really help people understand that life's not over? You know, don't give up, put your best foot forward and make those positive changes, whether it's within the community for yourself, you know, workout more, drink more water, whatever that is. That's what my company stands on. And most importantly, I'll try to make a

of changes, but just the self love, right? Just, you know, understand that you are somebody that you have a voice that you do matter. I thought that was really important when I was creating my company. And what we do is we sell children's books, of course, and also we sell apparel. You see that the MAC branding on different sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies, things of that nature. So it just started during that time. And then me being a father, a black father, having a black boy, hey, what can I do to really show him the positive way to live?

that makes sense, right? Being a productive citizen, doing the right things, you know, and treating people fairly in life. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (11:29.646)
Right. And DIBK family, you can go to Macchop, M-A-C-T-S-H-O-P.com to check out that apparel, the books and everything else in between. I want to go back to something you said earlier, Desmond. You talked about making people feel that they matter, right? Is there a time or a story where you didn't feel like you matter or somebody made you out to feel like you didn't matter?

Because I imagine stories like that kind of inform the work that you do. Is that fair to say?

Desmond Ross (12:00.209)
Yeah, yes, yes. And answer is yes. One example that really stands out was at one of my companies when I first started working after I graduated college.

You know, I don't want to about the actual company, just working. Right, right, right, right. But just, you know, starting out as an accountant, that was my major as an accountant. I went to VCU. I was with a two man team, which is me and this other guy. And we were really just, you know, new to the workforce, new to being working in corporate, you know, trying to figure out what does this mean? You're like, how do I really show out? How do I get promoted and show them that I know what I'm doing here? And with that, I had a manager that was

Dominic Lawson (12:13.592)
That's fine. They ain't pay for nothing no way. It's fine.

Desmond Ross (12:41.416)
treated me just terrible like every every week it was always my fault if something went wrong I was always getting yelled at just treated bad it just terrible I was just like man like this is this is not it you know and being a black a black man during that time it was just it was just really weighed in on me mentally and emotionally and physically too after a while because I was really getting drained I felt tired I wasn't like this is this is not healthy at all so that really stood out to me just how people can really

treat other people bad. And this person was a manager, right? So you've been here, you're already been working, you had that experience, you know, in this corporate, you know, someone's new coming out of college, they're trying to just get their feet wet. They're trying to understand how to navigate this corporate life. And just the way that he treated us, was just not cool. Not cool.

Dominic Lawson (13:31.998)
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's always interesting how, you know, people who get in managerial or supervisory roles kind of forget the, I don't want to say the struggle, but they forget the process or the journey, if you will. Right. And, and, and they, know, or, or they feel like they're trying to get some get back for maybe for what they got put through or something, which is always interesting to me. But you know, that, that, that's another podcast for another day. Cause we talking about positive change today. Um, but, but no, man, kind of, you know,

Desmond Ross (13:41.562)
Right. Exactly. Yeah.

Desmond Ross (13:50.808)
something yeah

Right. For sure, for sure.

Dominic Lawson (14:01.464)
talk about some of the apparel pieces that you have and why you chose to make the hoodies and stuff like that. Kind of talk about that a little bit. The reason I ask is because I imagine it's like a manifestation of how you feel inward, inwardly, I'm having an outwardly expression, right?

Desmond Ross (14:09.734)
Yes.

Desmond Ross (14:17.798)
That's it. You got it. So make a change. That is my company. The branding is MACT and basically see. So the whole point of it is I want people to wear my shirts and another individual or stranger asking, hey, what does that mean? And I want the individual to say, hey, this is about making a change today. And again, I want them to to have those discussions. That's why I make that apparel for just people had a discussion about making positive changes within themselves, within life, within the community, just having those conversations together. That's I was the whole

of creating that apparel.

Dominic Lawson (14:50.158)
Gotcha. And you know, when you, when you go out on a, you know, two events and you have that, you know, have the apparel on, do people just come and just kind of like, you know, share stories with you or something like that? Cause there's certain things where I'll wear it, right? It's like, Oh man, I'm so glad you wore that shirt. You know, let me tell you this really quick story about XYZ. I, maybe you're just like in the line of the grocery stores or something like that. But now this person kind of

Desmond Ross (15:15.932)
Ha

Dominic Lawson (15:17.23)
pours their heart out a little bit. Has that happened to you before? Okay. Yeah. Listen, you're just waiting, so it makes sense.

Desmond Ross (15:21.042)
Yeah, for sure. know two incidents. One time in the grocery store in the line, someone asked me, hey, what's MACT? Yeah, right, right, right. They're like, what's that? I love that design on the shirt. What's MACT? Because they have different designs too that hopefully attract other people. Yeah, they were asking, what's MACT What is that about? And I told them what it's about. And they were like, oh, that's awesome. I love that. Because currently right now, I'm trying to lose weight. I'm trying to get back into shape to help myself live a longer life, right?

really stood out and also a father, a father of two came up to me additionally I don't know where I was at I believe in Walmart or another store and again loved the design on the shirt asking about it and of course I broke down why I started this company he was saying that's awesome you know I'm a father or two I'm a single father I'm really trying to do better with raising my kids and being present in my kids you know showing them that I love them in more ways than one so that really touched my heart you know right

that the company that I started really is helping to inspire others to do better.

Dominic Lawson (16:27.406)
And I appreciate that. And it makes me think about how, know, fatherhood and entrepreneurship and how maybe your son and daughter watch you as you create this platform, this business and stuff like that. What are some of the things that you hope that they get from you, not just fairly from a father standpoint, but just from a father pursuing a dream standpoint, if that makes any sense.

Desmond Ross (16:29.468)
Yeah.

Desmond Ross (16:56.144)
It does, so it's all about following your dreams. I want them to know that I put my best foot forward. I'm doing what I wanted to do, you know, and not to give up, right? I always put your best foot forward. Follow your dreams. Don't give up. And do it for yourself, right? Do what makes you happy in life, you know? And while you're doing that, always try to leave some type of mark behind that can inspire others to do the same.

So that's yeah, and then I was gonna say so for me it's a full circle moment because when I was born My my right lines collapse when I was born so I almost didn't make it didn't make it in this world You know I had two was in my brain fluid around my Sorry twos in my body fluid around my brain. It was it was it was a lot So to be here to be blessed with children and to be able to to inspire my kids and other kids around the world It's definitely a full circle moment that I don't take for granted. So I'm definitely here for

Dominic Lawson (17:23.16)
No, for sure. No, go ahead, I'm sorry.

Dominic Lawson (17:31.278)
Okay.

Desmond Ross (17:51.518)
for any purpose.

Dominic Lawson (17:53.422)
I appreciate you sharing that. And I imagine on the journey of creating your brand and your business that like there are days where, you know, it's a little rough, it's a little tough, if you will, right? Do you remind yourself sometimes like, you know, it could be worse or somebody else has it, you know, whatever, like how are you able to keep going when those times get tough? Because listen, I mean, I don't need to tell you, business is hard, right?

Desmond Ross (17:56.23)
Yeah.

Desmond Ross (18:04.572)
Yeah, yeah.

Desmond Ross (18:21.18)
Yeah, yeah.

Dominic Lawson (18:23.192)
So like, how do you make it through those moments?

Desmond Ross (18:26.332)
For sure, just understanding that I have two little ones that depend on me and my wife every day. So it's them two that keep me going. When I see them every day, every morning, even though I'm tired, my daughter, she woke up four times last night.

So I'm tired, you know, but just knowing that they need me, they need me in their life, especially as a black father, that keeps me going every day. And that's why I wake up tired or not to do what I have to do to make sure that they have food on their tables, make sure that they understand, you know, self love and self growth. And again, to always put your best foot forward. So it's really them two, family, for sure.

Dominic Lawson (19:05.23)
Let me ask you this, know, have a daughter, have a son, be honest with me. Do you parent them differently? And if so, what does that look like?

Desmond Ross (19:17.5)
Yeah. The answer is yes, because they are the total opposite.

Dominic Lawson (19:22.676)
Okay. Okay. Got you.

Desmond Ross (19:25.094)
the total opposite. I love them both from from here to the moon, but they are the total opposite. So yeah, my son, he's very chill, reserved, quiet. He's been like that since he was he was born, right? But my daughter is his total opposite, just energetic all over the place, asking questions every five minutes. So it's maybe I guess because she's a baby, you think? I don't know. But yes, I have to parent them differently because my son, he's, kind of sensitive to so just that's what I mean by being an actor.

Dominic Lawson (19:35.97)
Mm-hmm.

Dominic Lawson (19:47.019)
Okay, gotcha.

Desmond Ross (19:54.981)
parents, especially active father, just understanding the emotions that your children bring out, understanding how they grow, how they learn different things, that's super important. So with my son, I can treat him differently because I can talk to him, he understands, and he's very sensitive too, so he understands different things when I'm telling him to do it. But my daughter, I got to manage her a little bit differently because she's three too. She's still young, still a baby, so she's still developing as well, trying to understand this thing we call life.

Dominic Lawson (20:19.223)
Right, fair enough.

Dominic Lawson (20:23.342)
Mm-hmm.

Desmond Ross (20:24.894)
and her emotions. But for sure, you definitely have to manage them and parent them differently. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (20:26.158)
For sure.

Dominic Lawson (20:30.318)
I'm always fascinated, particularly when it comes to young boys and black fathers, far as letting them know that it's okay to express emotion, it's okay to express vulnerability, it's okay to have an entire human experience. Because I don't need to tell you, man, we're probably from the same generation. was like, the generation that you get hurt, walk it off, throw some dirt on it.

Desmond Ross (20:45.51)
Right.

Desmond Ross (20:57.49)
Yeah. Right.

Dominic Lawson (20:59.0)
know, eat them feelings up, right? Like, you know, you me and don't get sad or, know, whatever. But like, think we're starting to get better as far as like expressing that. So I was curious about how, when it comes to, you know, allow him to express those emotions and those vulnerabilities and what that looks

Desmond Ross (21:16.124)
Yeah, I think that's super important, like I said.

They're just total opposite. So with him being a black father, you know, I always tell him all the time to manage your emotions. Like when you do get upset, whether it's at school or, you know, something happened playing sports, you know, understand what happened, you know, process that and then figure out the best outcome. Like how do how will you react to that issue? You know, do you want to yell and scream and go all over the place? Do you want to keep it calm and chill? So those type of things that I try to break down to him. He's only eight. You know, he's still young as well. But like you were saying, it's important to teach him those

those managerial skills of emotions now. So yeah, I think that's super important. Did I answer that?

Dominic Lawson (21:56.918)
No, no, you did. You did. And that, I think it's one of those things where I think you do a great job by leading by example. And so I'm curious like how, when you are expressing those emotions and stuff like that, or even also how you interact with your wife and how they, what they're seeing and how they, you know, look up to you and see like, okay, this is what a husband, this is how a husband interacts with his wife. This is how he.

Desmond Ross (22:10.172)
Yeah.

Desmond Ross (22:14.3)
Yeah.

Desmond Ross (22:21.958)
Yep.

Dominic Lawson (22:23.978)
A wife treats a husband and stuff like that. So it's just a reminder of we're always being looked upon as an example, whether we're asking for it or not, or we're not even know that we're doing it or not. And I'm curious when you have those moments of vulnerability for yourself or those moments of where I don't know if I can do this, this, and the other, like, how do you find inspiration for yourself? Because you are father, you are a husband.

Desmond Ross (22:27.301)
Exactly.

Desmond Ross (22:33.916)
We are.

Desmond Ross (22:39.344)
Right, for sure.

Dominic Lawson (22:53.922)
but first you're Desmond, right? So how do you do that for yourself? Does that question make sense?

Desmond Ross (22:55.452)
Yeah

Desmond Ross (23:00.124)
Yeah, yeah, so just in general, just making the right decisions, you're saying? Just putting, or just?

Dominic Lawson (23:03.85)
making the right decisions, managing your emotions, you know, when you feel kind of down, how do you count through that stuff like that?

Desmond Ross (23:11.472)
Yeah, yeah, so I'm definitely a man of God. I definitely, I pray, you know, I pray when I have an issue that I'm dealing with, you know, I pray and just figure out what's the best way forward. But also I've been blessed to have my parents, my parents are still married to this day. And I feel like I was raised seeing how to handle emotions, seeing how to be a great father, being a great husband, right? Especially like we have disagreements with your wife, you know, how do you handle those emotions? I've seen all that and I was fortunate

Dominic Lawson (23:14.103)
Okay.

Desmond Ross (23:41.349)
enough to see it the right way. for me, I'm just passing that down to my son the same way. So yeah, for me, I pray I understand how I was raised and just dealing with my emotions just internally too, just figuring out, if I have an issue with myself or another person or even at work, how do I handle those emotions? So I just learned over time the best way to process that and how to react. So I don't come off as that, that the angry black guy.

or the angry father, angry husband. Yeah, so, and it's definitely challenging as a father. It really is challenging because you don't want to, perception is everything, right? So you don't want to have that wrong perception because that's going to linger and stay with you forever. So it's definitely important to have that emotional intelligence.

Dominic Lawson (24:11.789)
Yeah.

Such a trope, such a trope. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (24:28.238)
For sure. For sure.

Dominic Lawson (24:32.78)
Absolutely. So let me ask you this Des, man, as we kind of round third head home here, man, like what's next for you? Like, you know, any more books, new projects? What's next for the brand and the business as a whole?

Desmond Ross (24:45.318)
Yeah, for sure. So I just released my third book, When My Stars Align, which the main character is my daughter, Savannah. So in a few weeks, the next project I'm releasing is a coloring and activity book that aligns with that children's book. So you're going to see different careers and different activities that align with understanding careers and learning about careers and the roles and why they are important in our lives. So coloring and activity book next, I plan to write another

book later this year and in the future I want to get into animation. want to, yeah I've been talking to some people about animation with my characters right so hopefully you'll see it on the big screen one day. So that's where I'm heading right now and of course I'm always releasing different designs as far as the apparel side as well. So that's my goal I want to do that and do more events and also do more readings on larger platforms in the future.

Dominic Lawson (25:21.559)
Okay.

Dominic Lawson (25:29.134)
I hear that.

Dominic Lawson (25:44.568)
For sure. For sure.

Desmond Ross (25:45.172)
But the main goal is always just to inspire kids. That's why I'm here. If I can inspire one child to make the right decision or put his best foot forward, then I already won.

Dominic Lawson (25:57.25)
Gotcha, gotcha. Really quickly on the book you're going to write later this year, any theme or through line that kind of pops up? Like what's the theme of the new book? I mean, don't give up too much, but just the general theme of where you're going with it. Unless there's too much of the secret sauce, I don't want to spoil anything.

Desmond Ross (26:09.701)
Right,

Desmond Ross (26:16.382)
Yeah, it's a little bit too much of the secret sauce, but I can say it's going to be part of my the series. So it should be the third book of my Carter V collection series. And again, with him, it's just dealing with real life scenarios that kids at his age deal with. Right. So that's that's where I'll stop that right there. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (26:18.648)
Fair enough, fair enough, fair enough.

Dominic Lawson (26:38.2)
Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha. Again, dripping in black family we're talking to and wrapping up with Desmond Ross, who is the founder of MACT Make sure I get it right. Make a change today. He fantastic children's books and definitely great merch on his website. Make sure we mention the merch down there in the show notes as well. Make sure you go to the website and check it out. And as we...

No, round third head home here. Just want to say again, thank you, Desmond, for coming on the show. Really appreciate your time and your energy and your and your your thoughtfulness for everything that we kind of discussed today. And so every time we have somebody who comes on Dripping in Black, we always have a gift, a gift for them. So S square behind the glass is going to get that squared away and get that kind of queued up. But as he's doing that, one of the questions I always like to ask is, man, you're you're you really are laying the foundation

Desmond Ross (27:24.046)
Dominic Lawson (27:35.726)
for not just your kids and your family and your wife and stuff like that, but for people beyond that maybe you'll never even meet. So I'm curious is what do you hope the legacy of Desmond Ross to be when it's all said and done?

Desmond Ross (27:51.315)
It's a great question. Right, right, right. So my legacy, you know, when it's all said and done is that he did what he sought out to do, right? He found his purpose. He was the best father and husband that he could be. And he really inspired his children, but also, you know, kids around the world to not give up, you know, and put your best foot forward and that your voice matters. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (27:52.59)
I

Dominic Lawson (28:18.094)
Awesome stuff, awesome stuff. And I appreciate that because I think, I don't know, and maybe it's like this, we're in the soundbite era or your video gotta be three minutes or less or 30 seconds or less kind of era and stuff like that. And I'm not sure we think enough about long-term, longevity, legacy, if you will. So I think it's important to have these conversations to not just think about our own legacies, but to inspire other people to think about.

there. So I definitely appreciate you answering that. So as we wait for S Squared to kind of pop up this gift on the screen, it's just a way of us saying thank you for coming on the Dripping in Black podcast and being part of now an alumnus of the Dripping in Black family. And so what we like to do is kind of immortalize that time that you have with us in the form of, you know, a gift.

Desmond Ross (28:48.199)
Right. For sure.

Desmond Ross (29:02.065)
So.

Desmond Ross (29:10.492)
sauce.

Dominic Lawson (29:13.334)
if you will. And so looks like it's popping up. There it is. You should be able to see it now. That is a magazine cover, if you will. And so that's something that we like to say as a way to say thank you so much for coming on the show and sharing everything that you shared and all the things. And in a few weeks, in a while from now, you'll get that gift in the mail and just that way of saying thank you and stuff like that. So how does that look, brother?

Desmond Ross (29:15.538)
I can see it. Wow.

Desmond Ross (29:39.768)
I love it. That is awesome. I really appreciate it. That's awesome. Thank you so much.

Dominic Lawson (29:41.614)
Awesome, awesome. So as we kind of part, man, was there any final words, any final things you want to kind of let people know out there before we kind of wrap up for today?

Desmond Ross (29:52.209)
No, I'm good. I'm just super excited to be here. I really appreciate it. You guys are awesome. I appreciate you guys' movement, right? And I'm happy to be a part of that. So we'll definitely stay in touch. I'll keep you all posted on new updates and do the same, right? Do the same. And we'll keep this going. Yeah.

Dominic Lawson (30:02.798)
Appreciate that.

Dominic Lawson (30:08.398)
Absolutely. Absolutely. I appreciate that Desmond Ross. Thank you so much for coming on the Dripping in Black podcast and sharing your story, your purpose and your passion with us, man. And make sure Dripping in Black family, you check out Make a Change Today. Again, that website is in the show notes for you to kind of check out everything that Desmond has going on and keep an eye out for that new children's book that he wouldn't give us no secret sauce on, by the way. But no shade, no shade, promise. No trees growing here.

Desmond Ross (30:31.634)
Not right now, not right now.

Dominic Lawson (30:38.294)
No, I appreciate that the time for sure. And also Dripping in Black family, make sure you check out the website and check out the Creators' Retreat that we're gonna have in Detroit, Michigan, March 6th through the 8th. They're gonna have a few wonderful creators. I'll be there as well. There's a fantastic brunch that's gonna be hosted by some of Dripping in Black and the Ummah Collective groups. Find us, so again, go to the website in the show notes to...

double check to make sure to register for the Creators' Retreat March 6th through the 8th in Detroit, Michigan this year. And of course, don't forget to hit up the dibkdripshop.com for all your Dripping in Black gear and all the things. I want to thank again, S Squared, the man behind the glass with opportunity. Thank you for the Dripping in Black family for listening, watching it and subscribing. And until next time, be kind, be excellent on purpose. It's a choice. And as always, keep it black. Peace.

Dominic Lawson (31:38.734)
S squared is going to come back on the screen a little bit. So how was that, man?

Desmond Ross (31:42.237)
That was good. Like I said, I'm not really good with interviews, you know, so I'm really trying to get into, I know I started a little bit in the middle. was trying to, got, yeah, I got caught up.

Dominic Lawson (31:44.428)
No, you did fine, man. You good. You good. And then, don't Nobody cares about that.