Filling in civic gaps for working class people who can't afford bodyguards, home health aides or even dog walkers is my 'xtra'/RUSH take on being a 'real life superhero'
As an 'xtra' Brother who goes the extra mile for the community, the superhero theme is dear to my heart.
For years I've urged people to 'be your own superhero' in response to challenges.
The global 'real life superhero' community embodies that sentiment and I encourage the Black community to grow our own version of it.
My community centered version is being an 'xtra' as in going the extra mile for the community.
An earlier description I used was 'real urban superhero' or (RUSH) to denote a version of 'real life superhero' based in the Black experience.
We have to save ourselves and being 'xtra' or 'real urban superheroes' or whatever you choose to call yourself is tapping into heroic energy instead of being entombed in passivity.
One major way I go the extra mile is to embed my 'xtra' or RUSH model with worthy institutions or individuals to be their advocate for safety and support which government and businesses can't or won't provide pro bono.
I used this model as the head of security for a besieged building to lead the charge against area criminals and also toward helping the homeless in this area-including on property.
That lasted for several years and connected me to numerous community members, one of whom reached out to me late last year.
Incredibly, I hadn't heard from her since before the pandemic. Talk about a lasting impression.
What I call my 'Borrow A Brother' outreach is now embedded with this community member, a former patron of the building where I was security head. I offer her volunteer safety escorts before and after knee replacement surgery
This safety escorting took on new urgency after she recently fell while taking her dogs to the vet.
Filling in civic gaps for working class people who can't afford bodyguards, home health aides or even dog walkers is my 'xtra'/RUSH take on being a 'real life superhero' because my community members need consistent care in addition to passing patrols.
To be clear, I'm in favor of citizen patrolling and have often done so. There's nothing like coming upon a chance to create safety or share food with someone who needs it.
I just feel embedded advocacy is another valuable outreach to offer underserved communities.
As MLK Day and Black History Month 2026 near, I thought it timely to share my call to be 'real urban superheroes' in this challenging time.
Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black does 'Borrow A Brother' volunteer safety escorts for female friends and worthy causes.
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