About the Episode
After being born prematurely, growing up in Detroit facing territorial streets, and navigating the bumps of integration, Mark Hatcher found his way to a place that would alter his core forever – Morehouse College. It was such an honor to sit with Mark as he told his story. In this interview he pays homage to his mother. Her guidance has provided lasting inspiration for how he moves with purpose, shows up as a husband, and fathers his elementary school aged daughter, Maris Mays.
Take in this story of a Black man whose model of manhood highlights community care, service-based leadership and honoring black femininity. There are lessons here about being open to new ideas and perspectives and about letting go of the quest for perfection.
About Mark
As an industry leader and professional, this Detroit native found success through progressive responsibility at companies like Cintas, Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the Seattle Seahawks. Since joining Amazon in 2017, he’s risen through the ranks from Sr. Strategic Account Manager, Global Sales Account Manager for Turkey, to his current role as a DEIA Leader at Amazon Studios.
In addition to managing a vast portfolio, this proud family man served as the Director of Community Involvement for Amazon’s Black Employee Network (BEN) and as an associate professor of leadership and management at Central Washington University. Mark also works with the Parent Trust for Washington Children organization to instruct prospective fathers on Conscious Fathering.
Find Mark online:
Book Recommendations from the Episode:
- The Alchemist by Paul Coelho: Great book for personal centering and finding all that you are looking for within yourself.
- Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: Simple book for redefining what’s important and refocusing
- Before I Forget by Leonard Pitts Jr: A novel loosely based on a true story helped me with understanding parenting and lineage.
- Tuesday’s with Morrie by Mitch Albom: Great book based upon a true story, highlighting the importance of connectivity with other humans
- God’s Debris by Scott Adams: Considers a subjective look at God’s Omnipotence.
- The Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones: Learn how to cause some good trouble.
- The Quotations of Mayor Coleman A. Young
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ABOUT KIESHA GARRISON
Kiesha Garrison is a professional emcee and public speaker whose work focuses on personal discovery and courageous conversations that connect us to our true selves and community.
