THE NAMIC FEED

2008 NAMIC Conference Blog

"Around Town with Fred Brown"
9.14.08

Hot Topic: The Power of “Difference – Know Your Value”

The opening day of the conference was a day to remember, and if you missed it, then you missed it. The afternoon began with a report from NAMIC President Kathy Johnson, who painted a diversity forecast, and provided an overview of the key initiatives regarding NAMIC’s role in fostering corporate diversity and inclusion. The 2008 NAMIC Employment Survey results will be revealed at the Diversity Town Hall Meeting on Monday.





Kathy went on to outline up-coming NAMIC events for 2009, and thanked all of the corporate sponsors who help make the conference happen and on-going NAMIC events year-long. “We absolutely could not do without our corporate sponsors. NAMIC continues its mission because of companies that truly reflect their commitment diversity, in word and deed,” commented Kathy.

Daphne Leroy, NAMIC’s VP of Marketing and Communications announced the winners of the “Discover Africa Sweepstakes,” which generated 300 entries and resulted in a 28% increase in 2008 membership. Mark Walton, EVP of Sponsorship and Corporate Development, presented an interesting overview of The Africa Channel, and introduced Rumit Mehta, Director of Business Development for Safari Ventures, who donated the all-expense paid trip prize. “I’d like to thank Mark and Daphne for bringing this project to us. We’ve been looking for ways to reach an audience that would be interested in promoting a positive picture of Africa, and with NAMIC, I think we found it. We are happy to be a part of this conference.”






Next, Jim Jones, NAMIC’s VP of Education Programs, announced the winners of the “DiversityLive” Diversity & Technology Competition! Congrats to 1st Place Winner Courtney Lidell with NAMIC-New York! Special thanks to Motorola for their support.




Now, to Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Small in stature, this man is a tall order. As NAMIC’s keynote kick-off speaker, Brother Dyson blew the roof off of the house with his pionent, candid, straight-no-chaser speech about “difference” – translation, diversity. Dr. Dyson laid down the law, touching on corporate America, politics, and what he termed, “le difference.” The hour and a half Dr. Dyson spent with the 200 audience participants is way too much to record in this blog. But here are some of the “Dysonian Nuggets” that emerged from this conversation:




“The French are ahead in terms of articulating “le differance.”

“We need to think about ways to make strategic advantages for those who have traditionally been disadvantaged.”

“We are wonderfully diverse and profoundly complex.”

“Although human beings rebel against labels, we need to be able to show the value of our difference in corporate America.”

“We have created an industry of response which we now define as corporate diversity – a kinte cloth of corporate identity.”

“This is both an exciting time and a scary time to be alive.”

“We are the Czars of diversity within our own companies.”

“We are solders…some working inside the ranks, and others on the outside, but we are all solders.”

“The constrictions that are placed upon us are also teaching opportunities if we choose to see them that way.”

“There is a certain virtue in what you do to help people understand the importance of who you are to the world.”

“How do we help use our diversity as the basis of inspiration?”

“We need to tell our stories of diversity that bring out the gritty – in a palatable way.”

“You have to become comfortable with yourself by getting in touch with the personal sense of ease in knowing the struggle you represent.”

“Your ancestors are counting on you.”

“We must become more intimate and familiar with our own people.”

“You have to be in touch with the broad swirl of information about difference that goes on each day.”
“You have to present added-value, even with the folks in charge who may not understand.”

“Helping people understand diversity is what you’re there for – it’s your extra-curricular activity.”

“We have to get in the fight…put our hats in the ring…and get involved in the cause.”

“Stop for a moment and imagine inhabiting the space of another person.”





Got an opinion about Dr. Dyson’s words of wisdom? Then post them – we need to hear from you!

Oh, and a special thanks to Danny McGlone, NAMIC’s VP of Fund Development and Sandra Girado, NAMIC’s Event and Meetings Manager for coordinating the post-reception. The setting, food and drink were so lovely, like being on a cruise! And we’ll be cruising onto day-2 of the 2008 NAMIC Conference.

See ya around town!

“Around Town with Fred Brown”