You’re Not Too Late: A Letter to the Brotherhood
“The world will try to measure you by transactions. But your integrity, your vision, and your spirit are wealth.”
You are not behind.
You are in the rebuilding phase.
And even warriors need rest, grace, and reinforcements.
Why I’m Writing This
As I write this, I’ve been unemployed for 7 months. That unemployment dried up the funding for my mentoring company, JustINSPIRE Mentoring. Let’s be honest—when your mission centers Black boys and men, you’re often expected to do the most with the least.
Still, I press on. And if you’re reading this, I want you to know:
I’m proud of you. I love you. You are my hero.
Never quit. Never surrender.
A Season of Hard Lessons
Three years ago, I moved to Baltimore enchanted by the dream of supporting an all-boys school—helping young men prepare for college and life. But in 2024, that school shut down.
Still, I stayed.
I thought I’d found the perfect school community… until I realized the district was jeopardizing not just my career—but my mental health, my safety, and even my freedom.
Was it a mistake to stay? Yes. But part of me stayed because I wanted to be closer to my family and my people. And that matters too.
Unseen and Unsupported
As a man, especially a Black man, I’ve learned something difficult:
If you’re not operating at peak condition, you often stop being seen.
In North Carolina, I felt more supported than I do now—here, in Baltimore. I’ve realized proximity doesn’t guarantee connection. Even family won’t always show up when you’re down.
And yet…
Shoutout to Eno Valley Elementary School in Durham, NC.
That place reminded me that community is possible.
Mental Health, Finances, and Feeling “Behind”
When I first got to Eno Valley, I was depressed—almost suicidal. It’s easy to forget your worth when you’re struggling. And let’s be real: that struggle hits harder when you’re dealing with poverty, trauma, or simply being unseen.
I’ve also struggled with OCD, something I first developed during military service. For me, OCD shows up as second-guessing—obsessing over comments, glances, tone. It’s rooted in a fear of rejection, a lack of safety in sharing.
On top of that, I’ve been behind financially for years.
I graduated into the 2008 recession. I wasn’t taught to invest—just to save. But as I now teach my mentees:
“Saving won’t save you. Saving funds the investment that sets you free.”
We Were Set Up—But We Still Have to Rise
Most of us in our 30s and 40s should be directors by now.
Instead, we’re still applying to entry-level jobs.
We’re overqualified, underpaid, and politically overlooked.
But it’s not about what the world gives—it’s about what we build.
I remember being in my Army Basic Officer Course, talking to a West Point grad about finances. He was already investing and planning his future. I didn’t even have a retirement account at the time. I felt ashamed—but that moment lit a fire.
I got my accounts. I started building.
It’s never too late.
On Family, Boundaries, and Carrying Too Much
Let me be vulnerable.
I used to blame myself for failed relationships—with family, with friends. I carried everything. I felt it was my job to keep it all together.
But as I approach 40, I realize:
If I drop it, and no one else catches it, it was never ours to begin with.
The weight is too heavy. The silence too loud. I won’t maintain one-sided relationships anymore. I deserve reciprocity. So do you.
Lift As You Climb
I’m not ashamed anymore. Not of my setbacks. Not of my struggles.
They’ve refined me—and they’ve deepened my calling as a mentor.
I know the pain of betrayal. I know what it’s like to feel like nobody shows up when you need them most. But I also know this:
The truth doesn’t always come from the loudest voice.
Sometimes it comes from the one still standing—alone.
If you’re still here, still reading, still fighting—you are the truth.
You’re Not Too Late
You may not be the most popular.
You may not wear the sneakers or follow the trends.
But if you’re moving with purpose and integrity—you are already wealthy in ways this world cannot measure or comprehend
Keep showing up.
Keep building.
Keep believing.
You’re not too late. You’re just getting started.
📣
Let’s keep this conversation going.
If this piece spoke to you, do me a favor:
- 🗣 Share it with someone who needs it.
- 💬 Drop a comment or reflection.
- ❤️ Be the brother (or sister) who checks in.
Until next time,
PS. This is a song I love to play that conveys how I feel Big Krit – Can’t Be Still Feat. BJ the Chicago Kid
“I’ve been down for so long I can’t be still
Calling out for your name, heaven it can’t be here
Lord, Lord, Lord
I’ve been down for so long I can’t be still
Calling out for your name, heaven it can’t be here”
In my affliction, I would beg God: silence me and return me to the dust—if I cannot be useful, do not let me be useless. I live with purpose in all I do.
The saga continues…
Be Wise. Be True. JustINSPIRE.
– Mr. Justin H. Tucker
Founder, JustINSPIRE Mentoring
