When All Hell Breaks Loose

What does it mean to be called to a place that historically didn't want you there?
In this powerful episode of When All Hell Breaks Loose, host Chris King sits down with community leader and trailblazer Jonathan M. Hall, who is turning the tides of racial tension and systemic exclusion in Forsyth County, Georgia—one of the most historically racist counties in the U.S.
🔥 You’ll hear how Jonathan is building a movement called Brothers of Forsyth, uniting Black men, connecting with community leaders, and becoming a trusted resource in spaces that once shut people like him out.
🎯 Expect to walk away with:
  • A real-life playbook on how to lead with influence in uncomfortable rooms
  • The 3 questions Jonathan asks leaders that disarm defenses and build bridges
  • How serving first can create unexpected seats at powerful tables
  • Why “relationships of integrity” are the currency of lasting change
  • And why your WHY must be stronger than your discomfort
💡Whether you’ve ever felt like the only one in the room, or you’re fighting to find your place in a divided world—this conversation will remind you: you were built for this.
🔗 For more, visit wahblpodcast.com
🔗 Connect with Jonathan: jonathanmhall.com
🕖 Premieres April 10 @ 7PM EST on YouTube and all streaming platforms.
Don’t just listen—show up, take notes, and tell somebody else to do the same.

Creators and Guests

Host
Chris King
Chris King is the host of the “When All Hell Breaks Loose” (WAHBL) podcast, where he facilitates real, raw, and uplifting conversations about overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Through this platform, Chris aims to help listeners discover strength and hope during difficult times. His engaging discussions provide profound insights into finding light amidst adversity, guiding audiences to rise stronger.

What is When All Hell Breaks Loose?

WAHBL Podcast (When All Hell Breaks Loose) is your go-to source for real, raw, and uplifting conversations about overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Hosted by Chris King and Monique LaRue, this podcast dives deep into the personal stories of resilience, faith, and growth, providing practical advice on how to thrive when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Whether you’re navigating loss, career setbacks, or personal struggles, each episode offers inspiration, actionable steps, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s hope on the horizon. Tune in for empowering discussions, audience engagement, and thought-provoking interviews that will help you take life’s toughest blows and turn them into victories. For more information, please visit our website at https://wahblpodcast.com and follow us across social media @wahblpodcast

Chris King:

So what does it really feel like to be the only black person in the room? Are we even allowed a seat at the table? And why is it such a struggle for us to get a seat at the table? Recently, we've seen a lot of different things going on. The elimination of diversity programs, we've seen protests against affirmative action, and even disinformation campaigns to continue to sow discord and and division.

Chris King:

Well, there's still black people today that are making history every single day by using their influence in predominantly and historically white environments. Here at the When All Hell Breaks Loose podcast, we wanna give you practical tips on how to succeed in life's toughest challenges. And today, we're gonna have a discussion with my good friend who is doing just that, leveraging his influence in a predominantly white environment to really move things forward for the community. I want you to welcome my good friend and community leader, mister Jonathan

Jonathan M. Hall:

Hall. Wow, man. I was wondering who you were talking about, bro.

Chris King:

Man, I gonna get up

Jonathan M. Hall:

and leave the room and go let whoever's you were talking about sit here.

Chris King:

Man, you.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yeah. I appreciate y'all. Thank you, brother. Honored to be here, man. Excited about it.

Chris King:

Man, Jonathan, man, it is such an honor, man. You do so much. And what people don't really realize is the work that you're doing right now. Mhmm. And I just wanna give a highlight to what you're doing.

Chris King:

Okay. First off, you live in Forsyth County, Georgia.

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's correct.

Chris King:

Forsyth County. Now for those that don't know Mhmm. Forsyth County is historically one of the most racist counties in The United States Of America. We were called and I say we because I live there too. Yeah.

Chris King:

Alright? Y'all don't come to my house. Yeah. Alright? Yeah.

Chris King:

But I lived there too. In Forsyth County, Georgia, we were historically called one of those sundown towns.

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's correct.

Chris King:

Right? That's when you are advised for black people, don't be caught in this town after sundown.

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's right.

Chris King:

Because things negative things will happen. You may be killed. You'll definitely be run out or something like that. Yep. So right now, you are leading a charge in Forsyth County, Georgia, and you're getting so many others involved Mhmm.

Chris King:

And and and using your influence as a black man Yep. A predominantly white community. Mhmm. Tell us a

Jonathan M. Hall:

little bit about your work. Well, thank you again for the opportunity. So back in August of twenty twenty three, the Lord mentioned to me that I was to start a group of men coming together, black men, African American men in Forsyth County to build relationships of integrity with each other. And I said there's not very many of us here, number one. Number two, even if they do come to this monthly breakfast, why would they come back?

Jonathan M. Hall:

What do I have to offer? But I'm working harder to hear him more clearly and obey more quickly. So I said okay, so I go through my phone, literally go through my phone and I find 10 brothers that live in Forsyth County and I just texted him said hey man the Lord told me to do this so I'd love for you to come and join us. I don't have an agenda, just come, we're gonna chill, build relationships of integrity with each other. That very first meeting August of twenty twenty three I had 14 people there.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Only knew seven because I said, hey if you know somebody bring them. So I only had seven guys there and so here about a year and a half later we're still going strong. About a couple of months after I started it though, the Lord said I need you to add another element. I want you to also as this group build relationships of integrity with community leaders and I'm like well how is that supposed to work? Well amazingly the guys that were coming were already connected to the right people so they would invite me to a city council meeting, to a chamber meeting, to a one Forsyth meeting and then I would get connected to other people and that's how I got more involved in the community.

Jonathan M. Hall:

So that's how it started.

Chris King:

Wow, wow. And not to blow past any of the significance of what you're doing, but even to give the people more insight into Forsyth County. Yeah. Forsyth County, in 1987, Oprah Winfrey did a show. Mhmm.

Chris King:

And one of her shows and it was really about the racism Yep. And within Forsyth County. And that show, if you have not seen it go out, it's still out there on YouTube. But in 1987, Oprah Winfrey did that show and it made national actually worldwide headlines.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Exactly right. Right?

Chris King:

And so it was about the racism, the Ku Klux Klan, and the work that was still being done Mhmm. In regards to keeping black people out. Not only that, but I live in Forsyth County and I'm always sent information, Instagram, Reels, and all this stuff about how racist Forsyth County is. Yeah. And every day, I drive past a spot in the middle of Downtown Forsyth County where black people were executed, hanged, and, for for for crimes that they didn't commit.

Chris King:

Yep. And I'm reminded on how thousands of black people were excommunicated out of Forsyth County. So when we talk about the racism and the racist history of Forsyth County, let's let's not blow past it and say, hey, there was just regular racism.

Jonathan M. Hall:

It's like, know, hey, you're

Chris King:

n word type racist. It was like, no, you're n word. We're beat you. We're hang you. We're gonna

Jonathan M. Hall:

cut your

Chris King:

feet off everything else.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Right? That's right.

Chris King:

So now you're in this spot where you're bringing people together. Yeah. Now how have you attracted more people, but not just more black people, how have you brought in white people to come alongside you and further the cause?

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's a great question. My goal is to build relationships and the way you build relationships is that you go where people are and you listen and you ask questions. Even with the brothers of foresight that our monthly meeting, when I have a community leader come, we just ask them three questions. What's a day in the life like for you? What are some of your pain points?

Jonathan M. Hall:

How can we help you? So that when people hear that, they're usually, especially as a community leader, they're surprised because usually when they come to events like that, people have a laundry list of problems. Why are my taxes high? Why are the potholes in my street? Those type of things.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Not that those aren't issues, but my goal is to help them understand that there is a group of African American men that are invested in this community and want to help you and we are a resource. Wow. So usually they kind of go back and talk to their friends and family and they kind of go oh this happened and then the word gets out which is really surprising to me when people have come to me and said hey I've heard about this Brother Forsyth thing, what is that? And I'm like I don't know you, how did you find out? So I've learned that that strategy has worked well that you just seek to serve, seek to know and, seek to see how you can help people and that's helped me out a lot.

Chris King:

You said it too fast. Alright. Because what you would you drop in gyms now, Right? Because it's not just your strategy. Now the question becomes, how do we leverage who we are, right, without losing who we are and and and utilize that to come into places that really historically hadn't welcomed us, but still Mhmm.

Chris King:

Gain a level of influence and begin to influence those for the for the betterment of all, not just us. Right? So say that again because that's really critical. I mean, you'd be dropping gems just all cool and stuff, man. Come on, man.

Chris King:

Come on now. You're telling

Jonathan M. Hall:

me, man.

Chris King:

You're real talk.

Jonathan M. Hall:

It just what's amazing is that before August of twenty twenty three, I was not involved in the community. Mhmm. Before I started Brothers of Foresight, that same month I left my corporate job to run my consultation business full time. So this was like two weeks. So that was a big month for me.

Jonathan M. Hall:

So one of the things I was able to do is I had more time because I had more control of my schedule. So I wasn't really involved in the community a lot. And because that's kind of my personality to seek to serve, you know, kind of low key. So it's really worked well when people understand you wanna know more about them and see how you can help them, that changes everything. And when I build relationships then I gain trust and I gain credibility.

Jonathan M. Hall:

So when I talk to the chief of police or when I talk to the associate superintendent VP of HR of the school system and I say hey I got a great applicant. Well I have credibility and I have trust because of the relationship that I've built. And so they're like, well hey, send me that person's name. I would let me see how I can help you. Because initially when we met, how can I help you?

Jonathan M. Hall:

And so that changes the dynamic.

Chris King:

So what's one of the things that shocked you the most about your reception from the community? And when I say the community, I mean like not the brothers of Forsyth, not the brothers. I'm not talking about the brother man, I'm talking about the other man. What shocked you most about the response from the other man?

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's a great what shocked me the most was how many allies there actually are there and these allies are people of influence. That surprised me. It also surprised me how they wanted to know more about me because another thing that the Lord had me do, He said be specific about who you are. You are to say this, you are building a group of African American men in this community to build relationship and tailor with each other and with leaders in this community, that's what you say. If they receive that, good.

Jonathan M. Hall:

If they do not, move on. And that's

Chris King:

just how it's been. Now you say relationships of integrity. Yes. Let's hone in on that, right? Yes.

Chris King:

You're very intentional about relation not just relationships, but relationships of integrity.

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's exactly right. Please expound. We don't need people talking about stuff that's not moving us forward for good. Yeah. I don't have time for that.

Chris King:

Now when say us, you mean? Black men. Okay.

Jonathan M. Hall:

We don't have time for

Chris King:

that.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yeah. You know, so I want you to know that once a month you're gonna get together with some guys. If you're going, you know what, man? I'm kind of struggling this month. My kid they don't even listen.

Jonathan M. Hall:

I keep I'm tired of telling them. You don't need somebody to go well bro just kick them out you know whatever. You need somebody to go you know man my experience has been leaders are repeaters. So if you're gonna be a father, you need to be okay with being a repeater because you need to repeat that over and over to your kid because leaders are repeaters and that's what we do.

Chris King:

Hey, somebody expecting you to give me that one.

Jonathan M. Hall:

You need somebody to walk beside you and give you that and go, man, it's cool. I know we all can be frustrated and be there for each other. So it's important because men don't handle emotions well, black men especially and if you're a black man in Forsyth County, you have a tendency to kinda like just kinda watch your back and just kinda wonder because of the history. So, important to have those relationships. So when I say build relationship integrity, that's what I mean.

Jonathan M. Hall:

We're not talking about the strip club, we're not talking about all those kind of thing, we're building relationships of integrity with each other to build you up. And also one of the benefits, at least one of the benefits of being a member of Bozler Forsyth, you have that connection with somebody, but also you've come to a meeting and you've seen the chief of coming police, PJ Gervin, and you've had a chance to talk to him. So you have a different perception of police because we know there has been issues with police and black men all across the nation. So to be there across from PJ Gerben and say hey what about this? What about how many black officers you have?

Jonathan M. Hall:

And have them break down and talk about do you have somebody I'd like to recruit and interview him? And you're going, oh oh, don't know if you're gonna throw the question back at me because that's what he's about. You know what I mean? So you leave with going, oh wow, this is I have a different mindset and understanding even and I'll add this Chris, at our meeting with PJ Gervin was there, one of the chief of police of coming police, PJ Gervin, one of the brothers of Forsyth said, this is gonna be the first time I've ever shaken a cop's hand. Wow.

Jonathan M. Hall:

He grew up in Saint Louis, Shout out to those in St. Louis. But he grew up in St. Louis. What they?

Chris King:

Not the Illinois side. What they? The Missouri side.

Jonathan M. Hall:

But he was he was coming from his experience. Yeah. And he's like when I grew up, the police didn't address me as sir and ma'am. You know what I mean? And it was usually a bad situation.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Right. So for Chief PJ Gerben to come to our meeting, talk to people, ask questions for other members of Brothers of Forsyth to talk about they've had good encounters with the police and they said yes sir, yes ma'am and those kind of things. Dude was like yo this is gonna be and this dude was I would say in his sixties. Wow. So imagine you've been 60 years old and you've never shaken or even thought you even met a police officer, somebody in law enforcement that was worthy of that.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Right. That was so when I saw that happen, I told Chief, I said this is not just an everyday thing though. This is a big deal.

Chris King:

So let's back up a little bit. Why did you move to Forsyth County? And how long have you been there?

Jonathan M. Hall:

Been there six years. Okay. So it's been six years and a couple of months.

Chris King:

Okay.

Jonathan M. Hall:

We when my wife and I moved to Georgia ten years ago, we initially lived in Sandy Springs. They wanted to buy a house and the realtor we said, Hey, for what you guys are looking for to build new and this type of budget, there are some great things up in Forsyth County. And I said, That's not an option, why did you even mention it? I'm like, why did you even say Forsyth County? I'm not doing that.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Did you know it? You know? And then they said, will you just come take a look? And we took a look and that's when they were building the new Super Kroger and I was like what is that? And they were like that's gonna be a Super Kroger.

Jonathan M. Hall:

I'm like a Super Kroger, what's that? And they explained it and I'm like okay and then I saw the Denmark High School, they said that's gonna be a new high school right there. I said okay, they're building a new high school, they're building a Super Kroger, my taxes are lower, it's it's beautiful trees and hills and I'm getting a house with these amenities at a less expensive cost and the schools are top notch.

Chris King:

Now did you know about the history? I did. Okay. So one of the things I wanna point out is I hadn't lived in Forsyth County as much as long as you. Mhmm.

Chris King:

And when I was about to move to Forsyth County

Jonathan M. Hall:

Mhmm.

Chris King:

When I talked to people when when you say for Forsyth, people still say, oh, you left there. Right? Yeah. Now, that I I get it. Right?

Chris King:

Because of the history. Mhmm. Right? So but one of the things that I had to do was talk talk to black people that actually live there now. Yeah.

Chris King:

Right?

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yeah.

Chris King:

And so now we you briefly talked about things changing. Right? Initially, talked about the racism and running black people out. Mhmm. And now we have a growing number of minorities coming into the into the community.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yep.

Chris King:

Now, let me understand, and you mentioned it. You said some chamber of commerce. You said city council. You said one foresight, those types of things. Now, I'm gonna ask you, I know the answer to this question.

Chris King:

Yeah. Alright. Alright. But I want you to help people understand how did you because you, that brother, if we get only one seat, right, at the table. Right?

Chris King:

You, that brother, you've talked about meeting chief of police, superintendent of schools Mhmm. And the butcher, the baker, the chemistry worker, everybody else. Right? If it's one brother that's got a seat at the table, it's been you, right? And you've been making connections.

Chris King:

How did you get a seat at the table?

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's a great question. There were those that were there before me that took the hits. Wow. They took the hits for me and they are walking beside me now and they literally have said it's your turn.

Chris King:

So they didn't quit?

Jonathan M. Hall:

What's interesting when they met me, they said, what are you doing? That's already been tried before. They said, but you look a little different and you're going to buy a little different. So let me see how this works out for you. And then they kinda said, okay, I see.

Jonathan M. Hall:

And they just said, what do you need? So we talk about how I became that person is because people who went before me, they took a lot of the hits, they bumped their head, then I came along, they say okay I see what you're doing and they're walking beside me. There are literally people that I call and go I'm gonna go to this meeting and meet so and so, tell me about him. Or I'm gonna go to this meeting, what is it gonna be about? What do I need to be prepared for?

Jonathan M. Hall:

So it's not just me, I'm literally taking them with me.

Chris King:

Right. So you see change taking place, people have gone before you, now those same people that didn't have as much success, they're walking alongside of We're in an interesting time. Right? At the time of this taping, we just ushered in a new administration. Yep.

Chris King:

And I just mentioned in the intro that we've seen the removal of diversity programs.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Mhmm.

Chris King:

And not just federal, but corporate. Yeah. Right? But so I wanna ask you. Mhmm.

Chris King:

Do you think that may change now that there's a new administration? Do you

Jonathan M. Hall:

think my The progress. The progress. That's a great question. I cannot believe that it will stop the progress. I'm called her for such a time as this Mhmm.

Jonathan M. Hall:

And that's my mindset. And so you're still hopeful? Very much so. What are you excited about? I'm excited about who called me to it.

Jonathan M. Hall:

It wasn't one day I woke up and said, You know what? I should go into Forsyth County and see what I could do to change the community. No. No. He spoke to me and gave me a charge.

Jonathan M. Hall:

And I said, Okay. Then he said, this is what you're to do and this is what you're to say. And then he said, do that until I give you more instructions. And so that's what I'm doing. So if I get rejected or if people say who you think you are, what are you doing here?

Jonathan M. Hall:

If I stop getting invited to the meetings, that's just a part of it. Yeah but you're

Chris King:

still making history. If we look at it, let's call it what it is. You're still making history in a place that historically hasn't welcomed us. Do you ever think about that? Nope.

Chris King:

So if I'm just coming into the community or if I'm in another community, right? You've given a couple of things, right? And I wanna narrow it down to try to give people some steps, right? Yeah. On here's some tips on if you really wanna move the needle.

Chris King:

Yes. Here's some things that we're doing in historically one of the most racist places in America. Mhmm. Okay. What are some of those tips?

Jonathan M. Hall:

I would say that if you have kids in a school system, be a part of the school system. Okay. I would also say that includes going to school board meetings. I would say if you are a business owner, join the chamber. Say that again please.

Jonathan M. Hall:

If you are a business owner, join the chamber. Don't just join the chamber, go to chamber activities. The chamber's built so businesses can succeed and to draw more businesses to this County. Be involved. I would strongly encourage those things.

Jonathan M. Hall:

I would say that also think about other things like the Optimist Club, things of that nature. I would go to city council meetings and just sit and learn and listen. And then better understand was go to school board meetings like I said, go to these meetings because they're open to the public. We need your input, give your input, don't just sit at home and not be involved. Mhmm.

Jonathan M. Hall:

We have the best school system in the state of Georgia. Yeah. One of the top in the nation. So that's phenomenal. It needs to get better.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Mhmm. There are things that can get better and so we need you to be involved. So if you start doing those things, people will notice. So many things have happened to me Chris from me just showing up being in the room. Yeah.

Jonathan M. Hall:

People are like, wait a minute, who is that?

Chris King:

Yeah. Have you ever felt like you didn't belong? No. You always felt like I belong here? Yes.

Chris King:

Right. There are so many things that I can go down. Right? Mhmm. You're talking about mindset.

Chris King:

Right? Mhmm. Mindset that, hey, I belong here. Yep. You're talking about, allowing God to lead you Yep.

Chris King:

In those things and not just going off, but one of the one of the illustrations that God is leading you is your approach. Right? There's a different approach and we're going into Black History Month and all those things and we'll study about historical figures that led the way. But you're paving the way with a different approach. And that approach is how can I serve?

Chris King:

Exactly right. That's your first question. Yes. I wanna encourage everybody if if if you're watching this, if you're listening on any audio device or streaming service, I want to encourage you that one of the biggest ways to make a difference and one of the biggest things you can do in driving forward and being influential is coming with a servant's heart. A lot of times, Jonathan, we come in like a list of problems, this ain't that, this ain't that and we come with gripes.

Chris King:

But you've come with a servant's heart and it seems like you said 2023, We just it's just been really over a year, a

Jonathan M. Hall:

little bit over

Chris King:

year. Eighteen months?

Jonathan M. Hall:

It was yeah. August 2023.

Chris King:

Yeah. So so yeah. About eighteen we're almost going into eighteen months.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yeah. Yep.

Chris King:

And I have seen the growth of not just Brothers of Forsyth, but just the inclusion and the communication from community leaders to the men that are part of Brothers in Forsyth. Yep. And so one, I wanna commend you. Thank you brother. I wanna I wanna encourage you.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Thank

Chris King:

you. But I wanna also recognize that you are very hopeful. See this is a tough time. Yeah. Yeah.

Chris King:

Right? And so, you are very hopeful and you're excited. What other things can we look forward to on the horizon as you guys move forward, as you move forward, as you incorporate others and even possibly, you know, be Nope. What?

Jonathan M. Hall:

Nope. What? So some things I'm looking forward to.

Chris King:

Run for office? You run. Oh no.

Jonathan M. Hall:

No. I don't I don't see myself running for office right now.

Chris King:

Jonathan Jonathan, he's our man. If he can't do it, no one can. I

Jonathan M. Hall:

didn't see myself living in Georgia. I didn't see myself living in Atlanta, didn't see myself being involved. So I'm just staying open to it. But it's not a goal. My goal is to create spaces where African American men can get information so if they're interested, they can run for these offices with the right information and the right relationships and the right support.

Chris King:

Mhmm.

Jonathan M. Hall:

It's nothing like somebody wanting to be a leader in a community and they have no skin in the game, they don't care, they don't even know anything about it.

Chris King:

Yeah. And one of the things I want to encourage, Jonathan, for you to keep going is because right now we're in a season where we're in transition from administrations Mhmm. And, we're starting to see some things take place Yep. Quickly. Yep.

Chris King:

Right? And historically, we've seen that there have been periods where this stuff happens. Right? Yeah. You know, this is the When All Hell Breaks Loots podcast.

Chris King:

Yeah. We've seen All Hell Breaks Loots, right, in some communities. And so one of the things I appreciate is that you mentioned relationships of integrity with amongst the brothers, but also in the community. Yep. And I wanna encourage people because that's that when when all hell breaks loose, it's those relationships that you'll lean on.

Chris King:

Mhmm. Right? A lot of times we go in these pockets and we wanna see change and we see change manufactured. Right? We see, change of behavior but not necessarily change of character.

Chris King:

Right? And so or or any real change.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yeah.

Chris King:

It's through those relationships that we can leverage that we'll see real change. Because when change is manufactured, when all hell breaks loose, all hell breaks loose and there's you know, you've fallen by the wayside. Right? Nothing is done. Yeah.

Chris King:

And we've seen that all across the board in many communities and many organizations. And so I want to, I want to ask you Yeah. How are you positioning it or how are you positioning the group and yourself to influence guardrails so that, you know, we prepare for for war in times of peace. Mhmm. Right?

Chris King:

So that we don't have those moments of all hell breaking loose and we're in a position to continue to drive things forward. So what would you like to see, happen and what would you like to see, from the group and for others across the country as as they prepare, for

Jonathan M. Hall:

the transition? Us to get more information. I want us to get more education about city council, about how the school board is run. I want people to get more information and make decisions based on information. That doesn't mean you can't be passionate.

Jonathan M. Hall:

So really for the Brothers Forsyth, I'm encouraging just like I said go to these city council meetings, go to these school board meetings, be involved in the schools, be a mentor, ask what is needed, ask the city leaders what do you need and do it. Plug in the hole. When you think about law enforcement, you think about community activities, when you think about the school system, when you think about economic development, one of those things resonates with you. So plug that, what do you need over there and plug that hole and be a part. So when things go bad, you are seen as a resource.

Jonathan M. Hall:

And people go, oh he's been here serving, he's been here getting information, he's been here trying to be an asset, let me go to him. And so that's where it changes where when things seem to be okay and you're asking questions, you're getting information, you're getting knowledge, you're building relationships. So when things turn, you're already that person, you're not a stranger. Oftentimes when things go bad and we go and make a complaint or make a statement, they go, well who are you? Yeah.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Where did you come from? I've never seen you before in my life. What are you talking about? Yo, but they see me at the city council meetings. They see me in places.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Not that I've done all these amazing things, but people are starting to recognize he's here and not just when there's a hot topic. So I would encourage people to be involved consistently, be educated consistently, seek to serve. That's what I

Chris King:

would say. Now, as I wrap this up, I'm gonna ask you know, how does it feel to be the only black person in the room?

Jonathan M. Hall:

It's funny because I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. So it was not unusual for me. So it's interesting how we think about things that could be difficult and could be hindrance, actually an asset.

Chris King:

Mhmm.

Jonathan M. Hall:

So when I'm here, it's like, oh, I'm used to that. Yeah. When I was in the second grade, they decided to start integration. So I rode they bused me to the white part of town and I basically had a fight every day.

Chris King:

Did you win?

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yes. I had to.

Chris King:

You got hands?

Jonathan M. Hall:

No. But something I

Chris King:

lost. Oh, okay.

Jonathan M. Hall:

But we got them back.

Chris King:

Don't tell them that. Okay. Alright. So when I

Jonathan M. Hall:

look back on it

Chris King:

Y'all heard it on the When All Hill Breaks' podcast, Jonathan Hogg got them hands.

Jonathan M. Hall:

I'm not gonna say. But it's interesting when I look back on that, I'm like, so it prepared me today Mhmm. To be in those rooms. Yeah. And it's not as difficult.

Jonathan M. Hall:

So you're you've been prepared.

Chris King:

Mhmm. So it's not as difficult.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yep.

Chris King:

For those that do find it difficult, what would you say?

Jonathan M. Hall:

I would say the why is enough to get you through. I have to be here. I've been called to be here and I have to make changes. I look at my grandson and I go, this is the why. There are definitely times I pull up to a meeting and I'm sitting in the parking lot Chris going, why am I here?

Jonathan M. Hall:

There's gonna be a senator in the room, there's gonna be CEOs in the room, these people at very high levels and probably nobody that looks like me. Right. What am I doing here? And I look at his picture and I get out the car and I walk in a room and I take care of business.

Chris King:

You're supposed to be here.

Jonathan M. Hall:

I'm supposed to be here.

Chris King:

And so there's a seat at the table for you.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yes sir.

Chris King:

God puts you here in that seat. If there's anything that I can leave with people is yes sometimes it's uncomfortable when you're the only minority, you're the only black person in the room and you're in a room where you're not sure about your influence, the main thing that I want people to know is that you're here because you're supposed to be here. God put you here and now you got something to do. Well, I'm a use that. We're just drop the mic on that.

Chris King:

I'm a just use that to just wrap it all up. Jonathan, I wanna thank you, man. Thank you, brother. I I truly I applaud your

Jonathan M. Hall:

efforts. I

Chris King:

have been a champion in the background and and just letting you know, just singing your praises. And so I just really want to congratulate you on just the effort, just encourage you. Keep it going. But before we take off from here, let them know how they can find you, how they can get in touch with you.

Jonathan M. Hall:

Yep. Check out my website. My name, jonathanmhall.com, spelled in the biblical way. Jonathanmhall.com.

Chris King:

For those that don't read the bible, John.

Jonathan M. Hall:

That's hilarious, bro. Jonathanmhall.com. You get all my other stuff in there. And j0nathanmhall.com.

Chris King:

Good deal. Jonathan, man, I love you. You have been a dear friend. I'm so proud of you. I think we should continue to celebrate the progress Yes.

Chris King:

And just recognize that, hey, there's still work to do. That's accurate. But you know what? We are making headway. And if you're in your community, there are things that you can definitely do to get involved.

Chris King:

Go to school board meetings, get involved in your child's school, go to the chamber of commerce, that's where money and business is Yeah. Is taking place and business is being attracted to communities. Also, go to city hall meetings, get involved, get in the know. But most of all, go with a servant's heart. Say, hey, how can I serve?

Chris King:

One of my biggest pet peeves is people that come with problems with no solutions or even wanna work towards a solution. So go out there, get involved, and come join us. Go out there, join us on the When All Help Breaks Who's podcast. Subscribe, like us on all the social media channels. That's YouTube, Spotify, whatever you get your streaming Apple Music.

Chris King:

Go out there and subscribe and tell your friends, tell your neighbors, even tell your enemies, but tell them with love. To check us out on the when all hell breaks news podcast. I am Chris King, and I just want you to know that life is worth living, and so are you. Y'all be blessed.