Growing up in the hood very often comes with certain accepted stigmas. People make assumptions about education levels, etiquette practices, and probably career levels. But one of the best feelings is beating the odds and doing better than any negative assumptions placed upon you. What also can come along with the “doing better” is reaching back.  Of course reaching back isn’t in a literal physical sense. But in metaphorical   irony, it kinda is. People reach back to help the communities from whence they came in many capacities. Some choose to donate money, volunteer their time, offer employment, and in some cases invest in the development of their hometown. But what happens when genuine efforts prove harmful to the giver?  Oftentimes we hear stories of people giving back to the community and their efforts end in destruction. An example is a young entrepreneur, Sircarr Johnson, who opened a boutique in West Philadelphia. Offering jobs to the community and helping improve the quality of life for his family proved to be his detriment as he was killed in a reckless shooting. How can others feel motivated to give back if their efforts will only be in vain?  We oftentimes hear similar stories of people returning to their original stomping grounds to buy property & provide quality housing. Unfortunate circumstances occur when their lifelong savings are wasted because of property damage & failure to upkeep. How defeating can that be to give your all & it be ruined?  The answer isn’t to stop giving back. But how can people being driven to do so without the possible negative repercussions? What actions are needed to help preserve faith in our communities that raised us? Surviving the perils of the hood shouldn’t come with guilt or shame. Let’s do better!  Leave a comment, share & like!  Don’t forget to follow on IG @act2_thepodcast.   Thank you for watching!