My aunt, Rosie Gaines, sung with Prince - 'Diamonds and Pearls.'

"My aunt, Rosie Gaines, sung with Prince - 'Diamonds and Pearls.' And at the time, I didn't realize how big of a song that was. I just thought, 'Oh, that's my auntie singing with Prince. That's cool.'" With these words, Ro James reflects on a moment of innocence and youthful naivety—the simple understanding that family is a source of pride and admiration, but without fully grasping the true significance of the world around us. At the time, he saw his aunt Rosie Gaines as just a beloved family member, unaware of the immense cultural weight of her collaboration with the legendary Prince. Her voice graced one of the most iconic tracks of the 1990s, a song that would etch itself into the soundtrack of generations. Yet, for Ro James, it was simply family—the wonder of family being intertwined with greatness, without yet recognizing that greatness itself.

In the grand arc of history, many a great figure has stood in the shadows of their family, not yet realizing the extent of their lineage. Alexander the Great—that most storied conqueror—grew up in the presence of a father, King Philip II of Macedon, whose reign was already legendary. Alexander, in his youth, would have seen his father’s achievements not as extraordinary but as part of the fabric of his everyday life. Yet, it was only through Alexander's own conquests, his vision of the world, that he came to understand the magnitude of the legacy that had shaped him. Ro James shares in this timeless human experience, the growing awareness that the things we take for granted—family, talent, connection—can be part of something much larger, something that shapes history itself.

Much like Prince, whose artistry transcended genres, generations, and even the very definition of music, Rosie Gaines was no mere background figure. She was a force in her own right, a gifted voice in the constellation of musical stars. And while Ro James was initially unaware of the depth of her partnership with Prince, his reflection on the song 'Diamonds and Pearls' illuminates a powerful truth—that greatness is often revealed to us only with the passage of time. What seems like the ordinary in our youth—the presence of family, the connections that seem commonplace—becomes extraordinary as we grow and understand the larger context in which they exist.

Consider the story of Nadia Murad, a woman who, in her youth, never imagined she would become the voice of an entire ethnic group. Born into a quiet village in Iraq, Nadia never knew that the events unfolding in her homeland would eventually propel her to the United Nations, where she would speak for the Yazidis—those persecuted for their faith. As a young girl, she too lived her life with a simple, unremarkable understanding of her place in the world. But as history unfolded, Nadia’s story became history itself. Likewise, Ro James' reflection on his aunt’s moment with Prince speaks to the same truth: the extraordinary is often woven into the ordinary, hidden in plain sight, only to be realized in time.

Ro James' quote teaches us a profound lesson: greatness and history are often all around us, embedded in the people we know and the experiences we live. How many of us have stood next to greatness, unaware of its scope, simply because it is wrapped in the familiar? Rosie Gaines' voice on that track with Prince is more than just a family connection— it is a part of musical history, a cultural touchstone that many would recognize and revere, but it is familiarity that dulled the brilliance for young Ro. It is only through time, reflection, and understanding that we come to appreciate the significance of what once seemed ordinary.

The lesson is clear for all: Never take the people in your life for granted, especially those who may seem closest to you. Our families, our communities, and our personal histories often contain the seeds of greatness, waiting to bloom. What may seem small today—whether it's a moment of collaboration, an act of kindness, or an offering of talent—may one day be seen as part of a greater legacy, shaping the future in ways we cannot yet imagine. Look closely at the present, for in it may lie the extraordinary, waiting to be discovered, appreciated, and carried forward into the future.

Finally, let us take practical action from this wisdom: embrace your family, your history, and your relationships with open eyes, for they are part of the fabric of something far greater than you might realize. Seek to understand the significance of what you are part of, and never underestimate the potential impact of the people you love. Just as Ro James reflects on his aunt’s legacy with a newfound appreciation, so too must we recognize the gems in our own lives—those moments, those connections, that carry more weight and meaning than we can fully understand at first. Embrace the present, for in it lies the key to the future.