Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is a motivational speaker, trilingual poet, television talk show host, rapper, and professor of cross-cultural communication at American University.

And yet, despite his accomplishments and standing, he confronts a disturbing question: "With these signs of the times in mind, I wake up every day with one burning question. And it takes me no less than 24 agonizing hours to answer: Am I going to die today?"

Social activism draws its power from many sources. In this remarkable spoken word commentary from the 2017 Being Fearless Conference, Dibinga demonstrates poignant powers of observation and reflection. While Dibinga wrote this piece nearly two decades ago, it remains entirely relevant today.

"This is personal," he says, "because I don't want my children to see my face next to the definition of complacency."