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14 Days. 14 Stories. One Game.
As we approach the official release of The Game of Education on 3.14.25 (STL Day), we’re celebrating the places and moments that made this game possible. Each day leading up to launch, I’m sharing a story about a location in and around St. Louis that played a key role in the development of this innovative professional learning tool.
Follow along as we highlight the key places and moments that shaped this journey. Each story represents a milestone, a lesson learned, and the incredible people who helped make The Game of Education a reality.
Day 9: Art Hill at Forest Park
With 6 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 9: Art Hill at Forest Park
What makes The Game of Education different from other professional learning experiences is the creative process behind it. To bring this game to life, I didn’t just rely on traditional tools—I leveraged the latest technology to see things differently. Instead of being confined to a computer screen, I often stepped away from it, using the Apple Vision Pro to turn my surroundings into a canvas for creation. Designing in augmented reality allowed me to expand my perspective and engage in deep creative thinking, all while being surrounded by some of the most beautiful and inspiring locations in St. Louis. This will always be a reminder that the key to innovation is oftentimes changing the way you see the world.
Day 8: UMSL
With 7 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 8: UMSL
From earning my bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctorate degrees to now hosting the first live gameplay session of The Game of Education for nearly 200 attendees, the University of Missouri-St. Louis has been a cornerstone in my journey. Since October, I had been preparing to cultivate a hands-on professional learning experience to usher in the shift from The State of Black Educators Symposium to InDepth. UMSL provided the perfect space to make yet another vision become a reality. The overwhelmingly positive feedback after the game was facilitated reinforced what I already knew—this game is special and unlike anything that's out there. Thank you, UMSL, for your continuous support, partnership, and commitment to shaping education in and beyond St. Louis. [Special thanks to Lilly & Rachel for your fantastic work]
Day 7: Home Sweet Home
With 8 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 7: Home Sweet Home
Too often, I leave home when it’s dark, and return when it’s dark again. Most people don’t see the sacrifices made daily, the long hours, the criticism for doing what's right, the constant navigation and standing up against foolishness. But one thing is for certain—what lies in this home keeps me grounded. No longer are decisions made unilaterally. They are family decisions. We forgive, we challenge, we console, and we support one another. So if Daddy has an idea, he doesn't proceed unless we all proceed. My oldest son is the Director of Gameplay. My daughter is the Director of Design and Purchasing. My youngest two sons are the Directors of Hilarity and my Wife is the Director of Everything Else. This is home, where our “work” is to remain together, regardless of the games.
Day 6: Cugino’s
With 9 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 6: Cugino’s – More Than a Restaurant
This journey has been shaped not only by places but by the people who played a pivotal role in bringing The Game of Education to life. One of those individuals is Dr. Kevin Starks—a brother for about ten years, whose story of stepping outside the box and following God’s plan has been an inspiration. On October 30th, I met with Dr. Starks, who may have thought it was just a casual lunch, but I must credit him as one of the first to see the excitement on my face when discussing the game in its early stages. He encouraged me to follow such passion. Moments like this remind me that success isn’t just about vision—it’s about having a village that no only challenges you, but pushes you to be better. Having the right people in your corner makes all the difference. I appreciate you, bro.
Day 5: The Wizard’s Wagon
With 10 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 5: The Wizard’s Wagon
To bring this game to life, I had to tap into the board game community and better understand what makes a game engaging, strategic, and fun. Every Wednesday night, The Wizard’s Wagon in the Delmar Loop hosts a St. Louis Board Game Meetup from 6-8pm. That’s where I immersed myself in gamesmanship, learning firsthand what board game enthusiasts love (and dislike) about board games. This group was diverse in every way—different backgrounds, different gaming experiences, different perspectives. But one thing stood out: the importance of joy. The Game of Education had to be more than just an informative or educational tool—it had to be an experience that brings people together. Because at the end of the day, joy is something all educators deserve.
Day 4: IKEA St. Louis
With 11 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 4: IKEA St. Louis
When I made the decision to seriously pursue creating a game, I went to IKEA St. Louis—not for furniture, but for inspiration. I wanted to visualize a color scheme and explore logo ideas, so I walked the aisles looking for anything that sparked creativity. Then, I came across them Trinidad James, gold coasters—and immediately loved the look. But something was missing. As I continued through the store, I found a sleek black plastic piece, and when I placed the gold coaster on top of it, I knew. That was the color scheme. What started as a simple visit turned into a defining moment for The Game of Education. Today, these same coasters and black centerpiece are used every time I facilitate the game—a small but major detail that ties back to the very beginning.
Day 3: Sunny Street Café
With 12 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 3: Sunny Street Café
On Saturday, December 21st, The Game of Education was playtested for the very first time at Sunny Street Café. This incredible group of teachers, administrators, board game enthusiasts, parents, business owners, and consultants weren’t just the first to experience the game—they shaped it. Their honest feedback challenged me to refine key aspects of gameplay, including revamping the Scorecard, which is now 100% better because of their insights. This session was proof that collaboration, just like in education, leads to stronger outcomes. A huge shoutout to the staff at Sunny Street Café, who went above and beyond to accommodate us and make this experience even more memorable.
Day 2: Church on the Rock
With 13 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing with 14 consecutive days of posts about a place in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 2: Church on the Rock
I have attended Church on the Rock for over 10 years. But last year, I took a new step—I started serving as a cameraman. In doing so, I leaned into walking in my purpose and using the gifts God gave me. At the time, I had no idea that just three months later, I’d be inspired to create a game. But looking back, the process of surrendering and deepening my faith was already underway. Serving on the Creative Arts team has been a constant reminder that when you focus on using the gifts He has placed in you, He will take care of the rest.
Day 1: Creve Coeur Park
With 14 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’ll be posting every day about a place in and around St. Louis that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life. The launch date is no accident—STL has shaped this game in more ways than one, and this countdown is a tribute to our city.
Day 1: Creve Coeur Park
This journey started with a simple conversation. During one of our early morning walks at Creve Coeur Park in October 2024, I first verbalized the idea for The Game of Education to my father. That conversation set everything in motion. From concept to reality, it all started with this conversation.
What is The Game of Education?
More Than A Game
The Game of Education is an interactive professional learning tool designed to simulate real-world educational dilemmas. It challenges players—teachers, administrators, board members, and other stakeholders—to navigate complex decisions while balancing strategy, influence, and collaboration.
Built on game theory principles, this experience provides powerful insights into leadership, negotiation, and decision-making within the world of education. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or community leader, this game will challenge how you think about power, cooperation, and problem-solving in education.
Preorder The Game of Education!