Jim Reed: Best Diversity Speaker on Campus
ORCHAID M. JONES
Issue date: 2/10/10 Section: Opinion
ORCHAID M. JONES
Contributing Writer
I am Senator of the Black Student Union. I was first approached by the Vice President of Finance of the Black Student Union (BSU) about having a guest speaker that was originally brought on by the Lubin Business Association (LBA). The speaker, Jim Reed, was to speak to our audience about diversity in the workplace and I thought, "oh goodness, another diversity speaker, same old same old."
And, my attitude continued to be this way until I was asked to call Reed. Reed openly had a number of questions about the black population on campus. I wondered why it was such a big deal to him. Eventually, Reed randomly mentioned he's black, and if anyone had a question about it that I was to let them know right off the bat.
This was due to his very light complexion and his mission to speak to my organization which could not be hindered due to his thinking that our members would prejudge, " 'What can this 'white' man tell us about diversity in the workplace?'" I utterly understood where he was coming from as I had heard and viewed such incidences, one of which from my history professor, Durahn Taylor.
All in all, Reed's tone and voice was so sincere and genuine, I couldn't help but feel like I was talking to an older friend or mentor-some type of asset to my community who can be looked upon as brother or a father. It may sound like a bit much, but it is the truth.
Since he was speaking to my organization and he wanted to reach a large population of the blacks on campus, I knew I had to do my all and push the publicity of this event. This prompted me to post the meeting as an event on Facebook. Upon seeing his picture on his website, I immediately knew why he was so quick to establish what he was.
Tuesday afternoon before BSU, I saw Mr. Reed walking around the café. He was followed by numerous people and was swarmed by students passing through. I thought, "Wow, he certainly gathered people in a short time. He must be that good!" And, it wasn't like Reed was anything out of the ordinary visually but he had a presence that was so warm and charming you couldn't help but be drawn in.
Contributing Writer
I am Senator of the Black Student Union. I was first approached by the Vice President of Finance of the Black Student Union (BSU) about having a guest speaker that was originally brought on by the Lubin Business Association (LBA). The speaker, Jim Reed, was to speak to our audience about diversity in the workplace and I thought, "oh goodness, another diversity speaker, same old same old."
And, my attitude continued to be this way until I was asked to call Reed. Reed openly had a number of questions about the black population on campus. I wondered why it was such a big deal to him. Eventually, Reed randomly mentioned he's black, and if anyone had a question about it that I was to let them know right off the bat.
This was due to his very light complexion and his mission to speak to my organization which could not be hindered due to his thinking that our members would prejudge, " 'What can this 'white' man tell us about diversity in the workplace?'" I utterly understood where he was coming from as I had heard and viewed such incidences, one of which from my history professor, Durahn Taylor.
All in all, Reed's tone and voice was so sincere and genuine, I couldn't help but feel like I was talking to an older friend or mentor-some type of asset to my community who can be looked upon as brother or a father. It may sound like a bit much, but it is the truth.
Since he was speaking to my organization and he wanted to reach a large population of the blacks on campus, I knew I had to do my all and push the publicity of this event. This prompted me to post the meeting as an event on Facebook. Upon seeing his picture on his website, I immediately knew why he was so quick to establish what he was.
Tuesday afternoon before BSU, I saw Mr. Reed walking around the café. He was followed by numerous people and was swarmed by students passing through. I thought, "Wow, he certainly gathered people in a short time. He must be that good!" And, it wasn't like Reed was anything out of the ordinary visually but he had a presence that was so warm and charming you couldn't help but be drawn in.
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