Each One, Teach One: A Stranger’s Lesson on the Train.70

On an ordinary morning commute, something extraordinary unfolded before my eyes—something so simple, yet so profound that I had to capture it.

Across from me on the train sat a young man, quietly absorbed in a book. The kind of sight that usually goes unnoticed amid the rush of screens and headphones. But someone noticed—a much older gentleman, a stranger to him, leaned forward with genuine interest.

Without hesitation, he asked the young man about the book he was reading. The conversation that followed wasn’t just small talk. The older man wanted to know about his education, his goals, his dreams for the future. He listened carefully, nodding, encouraging, and then—he offered more than words. He offered mentorship. Guidance. Opportunities.

Here were two men who had never met before, now connected by something far greater than coincidence. One giving wisdom, the other receiving it with open ears. It wasn’t staged, it wasn’t planned—it was humanity, generosity, and community in its purest form.

What struck me most wasn’t just the kindness of the gesture, but what it represented. In a world where the media often skips stories like this, here was a perfect example of what should be shown: Black men uplifting each other, investing in the next generation, and passing down knowledge to build something better.

The phrase came to my mind as I watched them: Each one, teach one. That’s how change happens. That’s how cycles are broken. Not with speeches or grand gestures, but with quiet moments where one person decides to lift another up.

It might not mean much to everyone. To some, it’s just a picture on a train. But to those who truly see, it’s a reminder of the bigger picture—that we all have the power to shape someone’s path with a single act of care.

I share this moment not just because it touched me, but because it needs to be remembered. This is what’s missing. This is what needs to be done. And maybe, if more of us carried this spirit into our daily lives, the world would look just a little different.

That train ride wasn’t just another commute. It was a lesson. A blessing. And a glimpse of the future we could all help build—one conversation, one act of mentorship, one soul at a time.