Public speaking has never been my problem. For years I was a lawyer. I can\u2019t tell you how many closing arguments I\u2019ve made. I guess it\u2019s in my blood. My dad was a politician\u2014Dayton, Ohio\u2019s first African American mayor. So it shouldn\u2019t have been hard to write the acceptance speech I was scheduled to deliver after being appointed to a judgeship in Common Pleas Court. Ascending to judge had been my dream\u2014and the dream Dad had had for me, as well. I sat at my desk, pen in hand, paper in front of me. But no words came.<\/p>\n