TAM FEATURE: HORACE GUYTON, III

Horace Guyton, III, Human Resource Manager, manages both people and processes in high volume specialty retail environments. Professionally, Horace identifies as the middle man between employee and employer, creating organizational guidelines for both to co-exist in an ethical, legal, and transparent space.

Who I Am Vs. What I Am

I don’t think that I can honestly say I represent any one group more than the other because they are facets of who I am. I represent Black, same gender loving people, but fall into a couple different groups from an intersectional stand point. In general I feel like I represent a group of people who simply want to co-exist with the same rights and privileges as the majority. 

I strongly identify with my role as an uncle and treasure the relationships I have with Isaiah, 19; Diante, 14; Sanaa, 12; and Kayla, 8 — the kids I will probably never have, who drive me crazy, but I can’t help loving. 

I hope that I am showing them that they can have anything they want when they work hard for it. 

I hope my life teaches them the importance of living as their best, most authentic self; and knowing that education is one of the most vital tools they can have in this life; and in this country.

My Influences

I am Black of African descent – My people came in chains. 

My grandmother on my father’s side has been working on our family tree since I was in high school. She has traced one side back to a plantation and continues to learn more about my family’s ancestry and linage.    

My experiences have led me to become hyper aware of equality on a political, social, professional, and economic level. I have realized that I don’t walk through life the same as others regardless of the fact that I am educated and work harder than most.

My experience of situations and interactions with people can literally be a result of my complexion; which at this point in my life, I can anticipate and identify when it will/does occur. 

This expectation is neither of low qualification or fearsome worry. It is my reality. It is the reality of all people from marginalized communities; one that we must bear, withstand, survive and fight.

As a brother and uncle I worry about how my siblings, nieces, and nephews will experience life; and I wish different for them. For Us.

The increased violence of today’s social climate–in which black lives are worthless to police officers, juries, politicians, and major corporations–is traumatizing. 

Combine those acts of violence along with dismissive individuals who are tired of hearing people speak about their life experiences, struggles, and desires for equality; and it’s literally terrifying and sad at the same time. 

I think what I want people to be aware of is that equality for an individual or group of people does not mean you are worth any less; or that your life experience will be valued significantly less.

We all benefit from equality.

For us, as a nation, to be prosperous all people need to be able to have equal access to food, shelter, education, protection, and the ability to acquire wealth. 

The Power of My Mother

Mothers possess the power to have a huge impact on social progress. People learn by what they see and experience, starting with their mothers. For a majority of people, mothers are our first teachers in life.

Mothers often want more and better for us than what they experienced in their childhood.

They seek to reduce or eliminate the trials and tribulations of their past, and provide better.

Mothers are the original agents of change in our lives.

My mom is my #1 agent of change. With the best of her ability, she refused to let me and my siblings become a negative stereotype or statistic by ensuring that we were educated.  

And I’ve been educated to know what matters…

…Me.

You Raise. We Rise.