Michael Kirby, featured yesterday for “Mommas Cry,” returns to SOTB today with “Black Professional.” Like “Cry,” this one focuses on Black men and the role of Black men in education. This time, “Black Professional” also focuses more on how Black men sometimes are set up to fail in the education field.

Instead of empowering and equipping Black professionals with the ability to win and flourish, some are pushed into leadership roles too soon. This is sometimes done because of a strong connection with the kids and/or a need to prove that their schools are “diverse.” Without yet learning some of the other skills deans and principals need, these men can often burn out. And because of what essentially amounts to tokenism, these men may end up failing and leaving the field, thus “proving people right” while still attempting to “check the box.” Overall, the song is very thought-provoking and hammers home several intriguing and cold truths. Check it out above and remember to support dope music in all its forms.