I’ve been watching this pattern my whole life. White collar. Blue collar. And what happens when the system shifts again. This essay is about Black labor, class, and the moment you realize the ladder you were told to climb isn’t there anymore.

It all starts with a leaking roof, an empty health benefits package, and the question: What if I did everything “right” and it still isn’t enough? This essay is my honest look at money, work, and what it means to search for a “shtick” in a world obsessed with polished success.