(THREAD): Yesterday, I had the honor to appear as a guest on @CNN Newsroom with @brikeilarcnn. In this thread, I share a few reflections on my experience.

1/ On Wednesday, I received an invitation from @CNN to talk "COVID headlines, including how people of color have been affected as well as vaccinations," if I thought this was a "possibility." I haven't done many TV interviews, and it was CNN, so this was a no brainer.

2/ Friday morning, I received possible topics: "Whites being vaccinated at higher rates", Dr. Fauci's remarks about the "white middle class" having greater access to the vaccine, Sekou Smith, the propublica story below, and the U-M stay-in-place order. https://www.propublica.org/article/how-covid-19-hollowed-out-a-generation-of-young-black-men

3/ I did my homework, figured out what I was going to wear, shared the news with family & a few close friends , got my camera, computer, and backdrop ready (w/ my wife's help), & was ready-to-go! I called into the control room, butterflies & all & sat tight until it was "time".

4/ As Brianna introduced me, the president made an appearance and they put me back on standby. Would everything be called off, I wondered? But after a brief pause, some questions for the president and brief commentary, they patched me back in.

5/ I fielded a question about reasons underlying coronavirus racial disparities, and Brianna asked about new headlines surrounding COVID-19 vaccination. Before we could get to the topics I was hoping to discuss, time was up, and Brianna concluded the interview!

6/ My momentary disappointment was quickly replaced by the beaming pride and embrace of my tween daughter and wife once I left my makeshift studio. Soon after, I heard from family, close friends, and even neighbors who had seen the interview and were ecstatic and proud!

7/ Probably the most common question I got from those who didn't see the interview was how it went. Okay, I guess, but I quibbled over the fact that my answers hadn't come out as I had intended, I'd said one too many ums, and the time went by too fast.

8/ I also felt sad that my mom wasn't here to witness my success, a feeling I hadn't yet experienced so acutely in my several-months-old grief journey. My cousin text that "mom is proud," and I had to exhibit every ounce of restraint to keep from bursting into tears.

9/ As I exchanged messages with friends and family, I stumbled upon a new message in my inbox. A former student of my mom's from 1984 said she had just seen the interview, recognized my name and wanted to share with me what a powerful influence my mom had been in her life.

10/ She said my mom pushed her to be disciplined & focused & do her best & she was not surprised to "see (my) accomplishments" and contributions to public health. I could no longer hold back the tears. In my spirit, I felt that some way, somehow, my mom was with me.

11/ Friends continued to ask how the interview went, and I was honest (maybe too honest). As the perfectionist in me is wont to do, I began to perseverate about and in my head, list all the things that I could have done better.

12/ Fortunately, more texts and emails came in from family, friends, colleagues, someone in Russia(!), and even my Dean, to distract me. And as I began to think more about the interview, my perspective shifted.

13/ Worrying about verbal tics and getting tongue-tied and averting my gaze while on camera were not the point. I had been blessed with an amazing opportunity to give voice to an issue of significance to my family and community and share a few good words.

14/ Although everything didn't go down the way I had hoped, in those few minutes, I had been given the platform to drop knowledge and represent marginalized voices. I hoped I would have another opportunity again some day.

15/ So, a day later, some lessons learned are: don't sweat the small stuff. Pay attention to what matters most: for me in this case, the opportunity to move needles, speak truth to power, and facilitate health promotion and equity in Black and Brown communities.

16/ When you catch yourself in the act of being your worst critic, take a step back, relax and release, think big picture and find the blessings, big and small, in the opportunities you have been given.

17/ And, if you'd like to check out the interview, here it is: https://video.snapstream.net/Play/7wDG3MeuLVf2OAWctIjBVH?accessToken=bbeyiyp5urlu4. Thank you to everyone who supported me yesterday and made this experience a positive and memorable one. /END

PS/ And in case you're wondering what I wanted to say but didn't get the chance, I'll be back (on Twitter lol) next week!