Congratulations to the 2008 Global Leadership Class. Thanks to our sponsor, Communication Prose Ink and the American Diversity Report and to our scholarship providers:  BlueCross BlueShield of TN and law firm, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC.  Our thanks also to the commencement co-sponsor, the Electric Power Board (EPB), for hosting the recent commencement ceremony.  Harold DePriest, CEO of EPB, welcomed the graduates, friends, families and civic leaders in attendance. He talked about the importance of diversity to the Electric Power Board and his suppoort for the Global Leadership Class.  We greatly appreciate EPB making the space available and for contributing the time and expertise of its staff. 

 

Rev. Paul MacDaniel; Pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church, gave a moving invocation underscoring the importance of a diverse community and global-minded leadership.  Rev. McDaniel has been featured in the past in the American Diversity Report for his lifetime work in race relations and interfaith coalitions. 

 

Also speaking was Pete Cooper; CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.  His remarks will be featured in a separate article.  Earl S. Braggs, Poet/Professor at U. of TN at Chattanooga, also spoke.  You can see his work in this issue's article entitled, "Southern Poet Connects the Dots."

Here is what the twelve 2008 graduates say about their experience in the Global Leadership Class:

 1.     Earl Berkun: Communication Prose Ink

"The breadth and depth of diversity in Chattanooga has amazed me. Learning to appreciate and respect so many different contributions has inspired me."

 

2.     Susan DiStefano: The Samaritan Center

"The Global Leadership class helped me to better define diversity in Chattanooga. The group members helped me put into perspective issues I had previously thought about, but never truly understood. I feel I am more sensitive to issues about diversity and have translated those into positive changes in my work place."

 

3.     Sandra Hollett: Partnership of Families, Children and Adults

"The mission of Partnership for Families, Children and Adults is empowerment of individuals and families. At the core of empowerment is understanding and honoring each person’s diverse, individual journey."

 

4.     Cathie Keegan: The Comdyn Group

"I encourage anyone who wants to catch a glimpse of your own inner self, as well as those from different cultures, regions and generations who share your space and time to grab this opportunity to learn how diversity impacts each of us. Make it a better world for everyone."

 

5.     Mary Knaff: Chattanooga State Technical Community College

"The Global Leadership class broadened my perspective on the social and educational imperative of diversity...bridging the educational gaps in our society and the social borders in our global world."

 

6.     Wally Leary: Erlanger Health System

"Similarity, differences and related tensions: Diversity is an aspect of all we do, think and say. It is as much about learning about ourselves as it is others and the connection we make from them."

 

7.     Candace Long: Sister Cities

"I have become more sensitive to the urgency we all need to feel in relating to and including people of diverse cultures in the workplace and our private lives.  Each of us is very distinct and unlike other people; yet, if we look past the diversity we can see how similar we are.  Recognizing and accepting diversity could be the catalyst that unifies the human race and gives our lives balance." 

 

8.     Florence Pipkins: MetLife Insurance

"This class was instrumental in helping me to reconnect with my Native American Heritage. My classmate Wally Leary invited me to the recent Pow Wow and I was able to share this experience with my granddaughter. My grandmother was sister to Cherokee Chief Doom Boom."

 

9.     Barbara Marter: FSGBank

"Diversity means more than just the color one’s skin or the slant of their eyes. It means appreciating and embracing the differences. Our differences are what makes us unique and makes life interesting and entertaining. This Global Leadership Class helped me to see beyond the obvious, to look for the uniqueness and appreciate the differences."

 

10.  Alan Richelson: Office of Multicultural Affairs

"The Global Leadership Class provided an opportunity for me to continue my growth toward universal tolerance."

 

 

11.  Marcellus Scott: Electric Power Board

"It is one thing to understand and value diversity, yet another to engage in a process of deepening that understanding through exposure to perspectives we don't always come across in our day to day working and social lives. The Global Leadership Class has provided just such a perspective. Chattanooga is better for it."

 

12.  Phyllis Ward: Electric Power Board

"We learned how differences within a group can actually come together to enhance the outcome of a particular idea, process or project."

 

Our twelve graduates now form the alumni group, Global Leadership Diplomat Corps.  Watch the American Diversity Report in the upcoming months for more information on their activities.  We are now forming our next Global Leadership Class.  Are you interested in attending the 2009 Class? Sponsoring?  Providing scholarships?  E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with you contact information.