Team Tony cultivates, curates and shares Tony Robbins’ stories and core principles, to help others achieve an extraordinary life.
A historic conversation for healing and unity
Taking a stand against injustice and creating real change
“Our hope is to have you panelists share your experiences of what this is all about. What do you want all of us – maybe who have not had these experiences – to know, but also to appreciate. And most importantly, what can we do to make real progress?
It’s really not about pointing fingers here.
What this is really about is getting to what we can do to tap into unity, and love, and compassion, and connection to one another. What can we do to move forward?”
– Tony Robbins
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On May 25, George Floyd, an unarmed, 46 year old black man, was unconscionably killed by police in broad daylight during an arrest in Minneapolis. Captured on cell-phone video and amplified in the media, the whole world witnessed his horrific death and it has reignited a centuries-long conversation around racism in the United States and the injustice that African Americans can face at the hands of police and law enforcement.
The aftermath of George Floyd’s death — on top of the stacking of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, and Eric Garner just to name a few other horrific losses — has brought this nation to a threshold. As thousands of people have come together around the world with heavy hearts, humanity is speaking loud and clear: Enough is enough, the time is now to create real, lasting change. Beyond change, we need progress. As you’ll hear Tony say in this episode, change is automatic – but progress is not.
In this 3-hour episode, Tony hosts a historic conversation with ten unique leaders who share their experience of what it is to be black in America and lend their voice to what we – as a unified society – need to do at this pivotal moment to collectively unite, make progress, and ultimately tap into love, compassion, and connection to one another.
“If love is not yet won, the battle is not yet over.”
– Martin Luther King III
Guests include:
Martin Luther King III
Global human rights leader
As the oldest son of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III serves as an ambassador of his parent’s legacy of nonviolent social change. Mr. King has devoted his life to working in the non-profit sector to promote civil rights and global human rights. He is founder and president of Realizing the Dream, an organization that champions freedom, justice, and equality by working to eliminate poverty, build community and foster peace through nonviolence.
Benjamin Crump
Civil Rights Attorney; George Floyd’s Family Attorney
Through a steadfast dedication to justice and service to others, Benjamin Crump has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost attorneys and advocates for civil rights and social justice. His legal acumen as both a litigator and advocate has ensured that those most frequently marginalized in American society are protected by their nation’s contract with its constituency. Along with the family of George Floyd, he has represented the families of Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin.
Lora King
Founder and Executive Director, The Rodney King Foundation
Lora King is daughter of the late Rodney King, whose savage beating by white police officers sparked the 1992 LA riots. Through The Rodney King Foundation, Lora works to promote positive race relations and achieve social justice. In 2019, she created the “I am a King” scholarship to provide grants for black fathers in need of financial aid and fund events that help them to build bonds and create memories with their children.
Officer Gomez
11-year veteran of the police force
Sybrina Fulton
Activist, Author, Trayvon Martin’s Mother
Following the death of her 17-year-old son, Trayvon Martin, Sybrina turned her heartbreak into action by advocating for families and concerned citizens across the country. Through her work with the Trayvon Martin Foundation, Sybrina has helped grieving mothers, mentored young people, and become a leading voice on the need to end senseless gun violence.
Doc Rivers
Head Coach, Los Angeles Clippers
Doc Rivers is a former NBA point guard, former coach of the Boston Celtics, and the current head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. He is a leader and strong voice for civil rights, and has spoken out amid the numerous protests against racial injustice throughout the country in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder.
Bishop T.D. Jakes
Global Humanitarian; Founder and Bishop, The Potter’s House
As founder and Bishop of The Potter’s House, Bishop Jakes faithfully serves his local and global communities to embolden those who are marginalized. The Potter’s House charter aims to extend a hand of help to the needy, a heart of compassion to the hurting, and a message of empowerment to the disenfranchised. The diversity displayed throughout TPH is what makes it a truly progressive church, serving people of every socioeconomic status, age, nationality, and race.
Daryl Davis
R&B Blues musician, Activist, Author, Actor and Bandleader
Known for his energetic style of boogie-woogie piano, musician Daryl Davis has played with musicians like Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB King, and Bruce Hornsby. His efforts to improve race relations have been reported on by CNN, NPR, and The Washington Post. To date, Daryl has convinced over 200 Klansmen to leave and denounce the KKK.
Scott Shepherd
Reformed KKK leader; Anti-Racism Activist
As a former Grand Dragon and Imperial Wizard for the KKK, Scott Shepherd spent over 20 years promoting white nationalist views. Now reformed, Scott speaks out against racism with a mission of preventing others from falling victim to the recruitment traps and tactics used by white nationalist organizations.
Dr. Michael Beckwith
Founder, Agape International Spiritual Center
In 1986, Michael Bernard Beckwith founded the Agape International Spiritual Center, a trans-denominational community whose doors are open to all seekers in search of authentic spirituality, personal transformation and selfless service to humankind. Highly regarded for its cultural, racial, and spiritual diversity, the late Coretta Scott King wrote to Beckwith, “I greatly admire what you are doing to bring about the Beloved Community, which is certainly what my dear husband worked for and ultimately gave his life.”
Episode Notes
[00:00:00] Tony introduces episode
[00:00:36] We need to not just create healing, but real change
[00:00:53] Change is automatic, but progress is not
[00:01:16] A conversation with conscious leaders
[00:01:53] Tony’s hope for this discussion
[00:02:24] What can we do to bring back unity, love, compassion?
[00:02:56] Tony introduces panel
[00:03:02] Terrence Floyd
[00:03:23] Benjamin Crump – Civil Rights Attorney
[00:03:42] Lora King – Rodney King’s daughter; Activist
[00:04:13] Martin Luther King III – Global Human Rights Activist
[00:04:43] Sybrina Fulton – Trayvon Martin’s mother; Activist
[00:05:14] Doc Rivers – Head Coach, LA Clippers
[00:05:45] Bishop TD Jakes – Founder & Bishop, The Potter’s House
[00:06:07] Daryl Davis – R&B Blues Musician; Author; Activist
[00:07:11] Scott Shepherd – Reformed KKK leader
[00:08:02] Dr. Michael Beckwith – Founder, Agape International Spiritual Center
[00:08:32] Reverend Jesse Jackson – Civil Rights Activist
[00:08:50] Police Officer – Friend of Lora King; Married to African American woman
[00:09:31] Interview with Benjamin Crump
[00:10:18] This is real in a different way, we saw the documentary of his death
[00:11:00] We call out for our mothers in our most desperate times
[00:11:50] George Floyd’s last moment – “I’m gone now.”
[00:12:11] Police officers should protect, not escalate
[00:12:41] Riots erupted because police brutality has been ignored
[00:13:16] Autopsies performed by family and county are conflicting
[00:13:50] Medical cause of death: Mechanical Asphyxiation
[00:14:30] Legal cause of death: Homicide
[00:14:50] Causes of death contradict each other, similar to Eric Garner case
[00:15:44] Take a breath for peace, for justice, for our country, and for George Floyd
[00:16:25] What George Floyd’s family wants us to know about him
[00:17:20] People loved George; he lit up a room
[00:18:13] His family didn’t have much, but they had each other
[00:18:50] His family wants justice
[00:19:32] This is a chance for us to achieve justice as a society
[00:20:08] The two different justice systems in America
[00:21:08] Thurgood Marshall: The basis of the constitution
[00:22:00] The challenge to America
[00:22:38] The goal: Help America to be America for all Americans
[00:23:00] Tony’s hope: America to live up to its standards
[00:23:30] There are people and companies speaking up that never have
[00:23:50] The Floyd family’s message of peaceful change
[00:24:25] George was a peaceful and spiritual person
[00:25:18] George was a Lebron James fan for his peaceful activism
[00:26:00] George needed that breath and America does too
[00:26:37] In honor of Breonna Taylor’s 27th birthday
[00:27:00] Interview with Lora King
[00:27:02] Tony’s introduction of Lora
[00:27:44] How Lora has kept her compassion
[00:28:15] Compassion through God’s love, despite pain
[00:28:45] Rodney King lived, a big part of him died
[00:29:06] The goal is to have a just system, but we don’t
[00:29:40] Rodney King was out celebrating, and ran
[00:30:17] I want to dislike cops, but I don’t
[00:31:08] The media’s incorrect portrayal of black men
[00:31:43] This video will live on forever; we can’t escape it
[00:32:00] We serve a God that serves justice
[00:32:40] Michael Vick got more time for killing dogs
[00:33:09] Get outside of your community; have uncomfortable conversations
[00:33:40] What people didn’t know about Rodney King
[00:34:09] “Can’t we get along?” was a question, not a statement
[00:34:38] Look at people as human beings
[00:35:00] Trying to normalize murder
[00:35:26] Must have an experience with each other, not generalize
[00:35:43] Daryl King’s experience with racists
[00:36:05] People aren’t born racist, it’s conditioning
[00:36:25] Lora’s experience with Police Officer Gomez
[00:36:57] Officer Gomez’s mild mannered demeanor
[00:37:28] Knowing the person outside of the uniform
[00:37:51] Officer Gomez knows what it’s like to be treated poorly
[00:38:17] What about the cops that are good?
[00:38:50] The survival part of the brain makes judgements
[00:39:28] Pre-recorded interview with Officer Gomez
[00:39:38] What made Officer Gomez want to be a police officer
[00:40:15] What the badge means today
[00:40:45] Not all cops are bad, but some are
[00:41:08] If we don’t intervene, we fail
[00:41:40] When people try to play the race card
[00:42:05] When people assume he’s a racist
[00:42:00] Black partner labeled a sellout
[00:42:08] Must have thick skin as an officer
[00:43:48] We are in this together
[00:44:12] Interview with Martin Luther King III
[00:45:10] George Floyd’s funeral service
[00:45:40] Most remarkable part: 8 minutes of silence
[00:46:45] The guilty one is not he who commits crimes, but those who create darkness
[00:47:05] It will be the silence of our friends that is most disappointing
[00:47:40] People of all races are no longer being silent
[00:48:05] We are a better nation than the behavior we exhibit
[00:48:27] MLK Jr. said “Violence is the language of the unheard”
[00:48:50] Our opportunity: Yes I can, and yes I will be better
[00:49:20] Shifting humankind from chaos to community
[00:49:50] We need to eradicate poverty, racism, and violence
[00:50:10] When ability meets will, there’s nothing we cannot do
[00:50:30] People are coming together, but institution need to change
[00:51:00] Business needs to say “enough is enough”
[00:51:35] There are many good officers, but many who create problems
[00:52:10] Conversation with legislators to address racism
[00:53:10] The legislation that will make a difference
[00:53:25] Use of chokeholds in police response
[00:54:10] The issue of community policing
[00:54:45] Inundate politicians; post on all modalities
[00:55:30] Momentum from people of all races and backgrounds
[00:56:00] Change beyond politicians: we are the leaders
[00:56:30] Injustice has happened across all administrations
[00:56:58] How to keep the momentum going after protests
[00:57:32] Organize, mobilize, plan, register, and vote
[00:57:57] Long lines at local election
[00:58:30] This is the most important election in our lifetime
[00:59:10] We must act, and we will act
[00:59:30] Interview with Sybrina Fulton
[01:00:35] Sybrina’s experience as a mother losing her son
[01:01:01] Watching someone call out for their mother cuts like a knife
[01:01:20] You call for Jesus or you call for your mother
[01:02:10] When we hear “it’s just a few bad apples”
[01:02:50] Growing up with a police officer father
[01:03:30] Just because you comply, doesn’t mean you’re safe
[01:04:00] The mission of the Black Lives Matter movement
[01:05:10] If you have a heart, you have to feel something
[01:05:45] Put your family member in George Floyd’s place
[01:06:10] People now know what African Americans experience
[01:07:00] Why do we have to humanize George Floyd?
[01:07:40] A police officer’s job is to make an arrest, not kill
[01:08:25] If it didn’t happen to me, it didn’t happen
[01:08:50] A belief is a poor substitute for an experience
[01:09:20] What White America needs to understand
[01:09:45] African Americans need to talk to others about their experience
[01:10:30] Be supportive and compassionate; stand with us
[01:10:55] People from other countries don’t believe this happens here
[01:11:25] Need for police officer testing and background checks
[01:12:30] Delay in prosecuting Ahmaud Arbery’s killers
[01:12:55] Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend arrested: why?
[01:13:20] George Floyd’s killer went to bed after murdering him
[01:14:10] Different standards and policy for African Americans
[01:14:25] The mind disassociates from big problems
[01:15:25] Interview with Doc Rivers
[01:16:25] Doc Rivers’ players’ response to George Floyd’s death
[01:17:00] It’s different for black players when the uniform is on
[01:17:35] Black athletes: Enough is enough
[01:17:50] Doc’s Dad: Police officer and part of the community
[01:18:25] Action, change of habits, and education
[01:18:40] White business owners: Would you work for free?
[01:19:05] There has been 260 years of slavery
[01:19:25] Generational wealth and lack of education
[01:19:55] 50 years ago, there was nothing about slavery in history books
[01:20:13] Black people are dehumanized in many ways
[01:21:15] Education is most important for whites and blacks
[01:21:40] Comparison to South Africa
[01:22:05] Focus on why protests are happening
[01:22:30] The one thing a good cop hates is a bad cop
[01:23:03] There has to be consequences for bad actions
[01:23:30] People aren’t born racist; we share 99.9% of DNA
[01:23:55] Where does education begin?
[01:24:18] Read, research, educate children
[01:24:48] Don’t just vote for the president, vote locally
[01:25:05] Get involved and stay involved
[01:25:40] Doc’s Dad: If you stop, then they will win
[01:26:05] Doc’s Dad: Importance of education and justice
[01:27:37] Change begins with education from parents
[01:28:30] Interview with Bishop TD Jakes
[01:29:03] The murder of TD Jakes’ grandfather
[01:29:35] Given names as a reminder of slavery
[01:30:00] Molestation: Person in power taking advantage of someone without it
[01:30:27] Difference between racism (feeling) from injustice (action)
[01:31:18] WHat brings us around the table is injustice
[01:31:55] Constitution: Defines black people as 3/5ths human
[01:32:20] Comparison to molested victims: they’re not believed
[01:33:05] Officer bending knee vs. Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful demonstration
[01:33:42] Accountability is different than “tried and executed on the sidewalk”
[01:34:34] CEOs must only fund candidates who support equality and provide jobs
[01:35:50] History is not that long ago; growing up in the days of MLK (father)
[01:36:35] Complicity: If you stand alongside and watch, you are just as guilty
[01:37:10] Being white and not being able to relate is no excuse
[01:37:50] Police in white vs. black communities (protected vs. hunted)
[01:39:40] The feeling of watching white people supporting Black Lives Matter
[01:40:17] TD’s son getting into a car crash: more scared of the police than the accident
[01:41:50] Comparison to rape victims: the first tactic is to discredit
[01:42:30] Legislation to make lynching illegal
[01:42:40] Truth to power: importance of funding and voting
[01:43:40] Peaceful protest in Washington D.C. where violence was used
[01:44:35] Politics: Being tough on crime is how you get elected
[01:45:00] The presence of a camera makes it true; start by believing the victim
[01:45:35] When arrested, white and black people are treated differently
[01:46:30] Listen to all types of news, read different books, don’t feed your biases
[01:47:24] Tony quotes Romans: “Mourn with those who mourn”
[01:47:50] What people can do to demand change, beyond feeling
[01:48:30] Create a path out of the criminal justice system for first-time offenders
[01:49:10] Close the digital gap so there are more job opportunities
[01:49:50] When white people have a drug problem, it’s a sickness
[01:51:30] About The TJ Jakes Foundation
[01:52:07] When the floor is level and rules are clear, black people do well
[01:52:50] Black kids have not been exposed to business and economics
[01:53:23] Tony offers to match funds donated to TD Jakes’ Foundation
[01:54:17] Idea for CEOs to adopt a black-owned business to help with financial literacy
[01:55:30] Economics is a factor in justice, schools, neighborhoods
[01:56:00] First responders cannot afford to live in the cities they protect
[01:56:58] People in service (nursing, transportation, hospitality) need a living wage
[01:57:35] Don’t fix it for us, fix it with us
[01:58:24] Tony offers 1,000 scholarships to Business Mastery
[01:59:08] Interview with Daryl Davis
[02:00:15] Daryl’s background: from jazz and blues to country music, an all-white band
[02:01:15] Playing at the Silver Dollar Lounge in Maryland
[02:01:45] Encounter with a white gentleman, receives a compliment
[02:02:22] They talk about Jerry Lee Lewis, where rockabilly came from
[02:03:28] Daryl discovers the man is a member of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
[02:04:37] Question: How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?
[02:06:05] Realizes that he can answer that question by asking the KKK
[02:06:54] Traveled the world and interviewed them, wrote the book Klan-destine Relationships
[02:07:22] The story of Robert White (Grand Dragon) – antisemitic and racist
[02:08:45] Reveals the man’s day job: Baltimore police officer
[02:10:15] His reasons to join KKK: black people are criminals, lazy, born with smaller brain
[02:11:20] Not offended, because those things aren’t true about him (Daryl)
[02:12:00] Have confidence in who you are; don’t let someone else define you
[02:12:34] Incident (noise heard) while having a conversation with another Imperial Wizard
[02:14:01] Reaction: Freeze, fight or flight
[02:15:15] Ask each other: What did you just do?
[02:15:53] Everyone realizes no one made the noise, it was a bucket of ice
[02:16:23] A foreign entity had entered their comfort zone; Lesson: Ignorance breeds fear
[02:16:50] Fear unchecked breeds hatred; Hatred unchecked breeds destruction
[02:17:30] Example of destruction: Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, VA
[02:18:10] Address racism by removing ignorance, that will trickle up
[02:19:00] Ignorance is cured by education and exposure
[02:19:44] Police: “A few bad apples” is the biggest lie
[02:20:08] The 3 categories of police officers: Honest, bad, and the one who turns blind eye
[02:21:24] Being a snitch has repercussions, honest cops afraid for own safety
[02:22:15] Example: 75-year-old man pushed to the sidewalk
[02:22:45] Need an effective way to report incidents without ramification
[02:23:15] And an unbiased panel to judge police
[02:25:06] The beliefs that shaped Daryl into who he is today
[02:25:40] His father was one of the first Secret Service Agents
[02:26:00] Traveling has exposed him to a multitude of cultures
[02:26:23] The travel quote from Mark Twain
[02:26:45] Only 10% of people have a passport
[02:27:00] How Daryl broke through the psychology of one KKK member
[02:28:00] Exalted Cyclops: Black people have a violent gene
[02:29:25] Daryl’s response: White people having a serial killer gene
[02:30:35] Parting words: Condolences, also thanks to all for en masse support
[02:31:15] Listening to voices: Derek Chauvin’s 18-year career, 19 complaints
[02:32:05] Police = license to take life (comparison to driver having DUIs)
[02:33:00] Daryl introduces Scott Shepherd, former KKK Imperial Wizard
[02:34:05] Interview with Scott Shepherd
[02:34:50] Tony: Human beings can truly change
[02:35:25] Scott shares his background: childhood, anger, looking for a place to fit in
[02:36:35] He is welcomed into the Ku Klux Klan, stayed for 20 years
[02:37:10] Contradiction: He was raised by a black woman
[02:37:53] Made amends before she passed away
[02:38:35] Rebecca’s reaction to his apology
[02:39:49] How he learned about Daryl Davis
[02:40:33] He thought Daryl was a “crackpot”
[02:40:55] Trying to get out, already felt caught in the middle
[02:41:25] Did not and still does not have an answer to Daryl’s question
[02:41:58] Tony: How do you get through to someone that’s racist?
[02:43:16] Conversation is the key to this whole situation
[02:44:00] Music was (and is) a common subject
[02:44:25] B.B. King did more for race relations in the Mississippi Delta than anyone else
[02:44:50] The power of apologies, and feeling grateful that he changed
[02:45:55] Interview with Dr. Michael Beckwith
[02:46:48] Origin of Agape
[02:47:03] Met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was a boy
[02:47:50] Describes his first week at Morehouse College in the 70s, being chased
[02:49:00] Police breaking up a party, violence
[02:49:15] Junior high: Told his dreams were too big for a person like him
[02:49:58] High school: Being pulled over while jogging
[02:50:08] How his mother trained him to report police badge numbers
[02:51:00] How inhumane treatment was rationalized in 1619
[02:51:27] The narrative for slavery, Jim Crow, etc. has never been abolished
[02:52:18] People are suffering from fatigue of insidious racism, not just anger and rage
[02:52:33] By the time a black boy is 7 years old, he knows he’s seen differently
[02:53:15] Heartened by this particular protest because we are all in streets together
[02:53:56] Not an exaggeration or victim culture, this is real and endemic
[02:54:45] Only together can we change narrative and deconstruct racism
[02:55:28] Passion comes first, but then vision, strategy and implementation
[02:56:55] Need new strategy around justice system and policing (psych evaluation)
[02:58:15] What is white privilege? Story about 15-year-old boy driving car
[02:59:28] How to teach your children about this issue
[02:59:55] South Africa after aparteid
[03:00:51] Hiding white people under the bus seats, understanding what it’s like to be hunted
[03:02:42] Tap into abolitionist ancestry
[03:03:05] Cultivate compassion, everybody has to have skin in the game
[03:04:41] We have to articulate our vision: policing, healthcare, strategy, implementation
[03:05:11] Need to figure out: What is ours to do?
[03:07:26] How Dr. Beckwith became a unifier of people
[03:07:56] Every religion has forgiveness and love
[03:08:01] All forgiveness is self-forgiveness
[03:08:58] Love the people you’re with that you may not agree with
[03:09:28] The activism of Dr. Beckwith’s mother
[03:10:08] The importance of being raised to embrace all people
[03:10:18] Jane Fonda educated herself to understand
[03:10:51] Belief is an operational substitute for knowing
[03:12:04] Love comes from serving more than yourself
[03:12:20] Roundtable discussion
[03:12:40] The real message behind #BlackLivesMatter
[03:12:55] The problem with #AllLivesMatter
[03:13:26] Little girl’s poster: We Said Black Lives Matter, Never Said Only Black Lives Matter, We Know All Lives Matter, We Just Need Your Help
[03:15:55] The example of Demosthenes and Cicero: Let us speak, Let us march
[03:16:22] It’s #BlackLivesMatter TOO; Black Lives Matter ALSO
[03:17:00] Black Lives Matter is an educational group, not a terrorist group
[03:17:38] Why #BlackLivesMatter is perceived as angry
[03:18:16] The movement is often taken out of context
[03:19:35] Actions that we can take right now
[03:20:35] Our country can become what we let it become, or what we make it become
[03:21:23] Some things we categorize as racism are really fear
[03:22:03] There’s no blueprint on how to get out of our comfort zone
[03:22:25] To survive as a minority, you have to assimilate
[03:23:00] Advice: Find things that we have in common to connect with
[03:23:27] Friendship becomes the bridge for connection
[03:24:25] Fractions: Reduce to the lowest common denominator
[03:25:05] Lose the fear of getting outside of what is comfortable
[03:25:52] Black Lives, White Lives, Young Lives, Old Lives, Matter
[03:26:58] Common denominator: Extreme stress and pain in life
[03:27:22] What makes us human is our resilience
[03:27:59] Quincy Jones: “You’re DNA” – damn near African
[03:28:17] Life is much more comfortable than you think it is
[03:28:40] An assignment from Martin Luther King III
[03:29:03] Read: “Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?”
[03:29:32] As a world we must (and can) engage in universal love
[03:30:11] Human kind have a capacity that animals do not
[03:30:45] When a natural disaster strikes, Americans come together
[03:30:49] If love is not yet won, the battle is not yet over.
[03:31:00] Tony thanks guests
[03:31:19] Tony’s heartfelt prayer
[03:32:18] Leadership is about seeing it as it is, not worse
[03:32:53] Guests thank Tony for being a catalyst for change
[03:34:22] Tony’s closing remarks
Team Tony
