Andre Norman … and Giving Back By Gail Davis | Tuesday, February 01, 2011
I really am passionate about the speaking industry and the potential it has to transform lives. There are so many important genres of speakers. While I enjoy and understand the importance various speakers and topics play in the marketplace, my personal favorite is inspiration.
I carefully chose the word inspiration over motivation. I am not sure motivation has a long-term impact on audiences. However, I do believe we can be forever changed by inspiration.
Over the years, one of my favorite ways to give back is to provide a speaker to the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center. The first time I did this, I sat in the back of the room and was brought to tears. I did not expect so many young children to be in the audience. I did not expect my heart to break for their pain. I was overjoyed that I had the opportunity to arrange for the speaker to be there. I remember the complete satisfaction of watching these hurt kids start to smile as they began to believe their lives could be different. That feeling is like no other. It is awesome to see a ballroom of corporate employees rise to a standing ovation for a speaker. But to see kids impacted is a completely different level of satisfaction.
Recently, GDA provided another speaker for TCJDC. His name is André Norman. André was an inmate in the United States Prison System. He was a top gang leader when he decided that to take charge of his life and apply his talents to making positive change. He tells the story of his fifteen year odyssey from gang leader to lecturer at Harvard and Tufts Universities and a featured speaker of the London Business School. Talk about taking charge of your life. He has become a youth advocate and is living proof that the extraordinary is possible.
I sometimes tell people that being in the speaking business is like being in the Wizard of Oz and getting to peak behind the curtain. André is the real deal. Whenever we book him for a paid speaking engagement, it is his preference is to come in a day early or stay a day later in order to speak at a prison, jail, or juvenile detention center as his way of giving back. He does not charge extra for doing this. Andre believes this is his responsibility and it keeps him grounded.
And while your business plans, budgets and strategy are already in place for 2011, I encourage everyone to look at the year ahead and ask how you can make a difference - whether it is on the stage or in your community. We all need each other. Here’s to a connected and blessed New Year.
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