Rising ICON #38: Karl O. Benson
What name do you prefer to be called?
Karl
What are your pronouns?
He/Him
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on an Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota, but I was born in Columbus, Ohio.
What city are you currently based in?
Minneapolis, MN
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
“Hi, I’m Karl. My business is building relationships.”
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I wish more people knew how much I enjoy being in the outdoors and around water. Camping, backpacking, boating, all that stuff.
Who do you help?
My primary focus is Black men aged 5-25 in all stages of their life.
What are you building now?
A human network of support that creates a pathway from elementary school to a career for Black men in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
What were you building ten years ago today?
I lived in the non-profit mentoring world after leaving a career in Sports Marketing with NIKE Inc. and Jordan Brand.
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
Professionally, I see a future in politics. Personally, I imagine I will be spoiling at least one grandchild.
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
Despite the negative stereotypes about Black men and fatherhood, Black fathers are more likely (41%) than white fathers (28%) to help their kids with their homework every night.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
I believe it is my calling to change the narrative of how Black men are stereotypically viewed in America. The only way to do that is to destroy and rebuild the systems that have allowed that narrative and those stereotypes to remain over hundreds of years. For me, a better America for all begins with a better America for Black men.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
I have had too many mentors to name, but the best advice was, “Never dim your light to make someone else feel brighter.”
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
I’m proud of being named the 2024 Twin Cities Chair of the March of Dimes March For Babies.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
Esquire
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Shannon Sharpe or David Letterman
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
“Resilience and Reflection: Redefining the Narrative of Black Men in America”
What award would mean the most to win?
CNN Heroes or the Presidential Medal of Freedom
What makes zero sense to you?
How children in America go to bed hungry.
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
At-Risk or BIPOC
What game are you changing?
Humble, unassuming leadership.
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
Black, Educated, Successful, Thriving (B.E.S.T.) Young Male Enrichment Program. Find out more here
Where can we follow you online?
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
Humility
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Karl, for sharing your story!
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“I believe it is my calling to change the narrative of how Black men are stereotypically viewed in America. ”
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