The author
Daniel Freeman
Entrepreneur, inventor, U.S. Navy veteran, and author of ACT LIKE US THINK LIKE THEM
— Daniel Freeman
Biography
Over 30 years of working with, serving in the military, doing ministry, business and personally interacting with those who represent the majority in America.
I am Daniel Freeman, I am a servant, husband of a beautiful intelligent wife, father of an awesome daughter and wonderful son, disabled Navy veteran, minister, author, and entrepreneur. I have worn many titles throughout my life, each one shaping the perspective that led me to write this book. Being an inventor owning several patents, I refuse to accept that things must remain the way they have always been. Because innovation has always been part of who I am. I have spent my life looking at problems and asking, “How can this be improved?” or “Is there a better way?” It is this analytical mind that encouraged me to challenge conventional thinking and standard modes-of-operation that has earned me the nickname “Black Innovator.”
I have spent a lifetime observing, questioning, learning, and trying to make sense of the world around me. I have also spent many years living, working, serving, and building relationships through ministry, business and personally with those who represent the majority in America. These experiences allowed me to see society from multiple vantage points. Because of this, I believe we can honor who we are while learning to operate better in a system not originally designed for Us. I have stood at the crossroads of struggle and triumph, witnessing firsthand the resilience of my people. I have also felt the harm of seeing what happens when we don’t know who we are because our history has been distorted, ignored or completely erased.
The inspiration for “Act Like Us Think Like Them” came from a deep conviction that God had entrusted me with experiences, observations, and insights that could help enlighten my people. I believe the Lord wanted me to challenge us to think differently, to heal from bitterness, to pursue wisdom without losing our identity, and to overcome the obstacles and hurdles that have too often become generational strongholds. It is a journey, a personal reflection on the beauty, the strength, and the unbreakable spirit we have in a country that doesn’t always appreciate who we are. It’s a call to remember who we are and who we can become.
Narrated by Daniel Freeman30+ Years of Field Observation & Study
WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK
People often ask me why I wrote this book, and the answer is both simple and complicated. To be honest, it started as a simple exercise to relieve stress from witnessing all the blatant racism and hypocrisy going on today. Ever since my first memory, I have witnessed the beauty and strength within our culture. But like every culture, I’ve also witnessed some of the tragedies that are destroying us as a people. I grew tired of watching generation after generation start from scratch when someone in the family already possessed the wisdom to move them forward. I grew tired of seeing us celebrate survival while rarely discussing strategy. I grew tired of hearing conversations focused solely on what had been done to us without equally honest conversations about what we could do for ourselves. I grew tired of watching brilliant minds waste their gifts because nobody taught them how to transform talent into legacy. More importantly, I GREW TIRED OF WATCHING US DYING.
— Daniel Freeman, Act Like Us Think Like Them
In his words
From the book
- What if we held on to the beauty of who we are while adopting the habits that built them lasting power?
- What if our resilience met long-term strategy?
- What if our creativity partnered with discipline?
- What if our faith partnered with planning?
- What if our love for family expanded into a commitment to leave behind assets, wealth and wisdom?
- What if survival evolved into stewardship?
- What if we could act like us and think like them?
This book is my attempt to answer those questions, while providing a road map to doing so.