Hey Denison Community,
We are thrilled to share with you the remarkable insights and connections fostered at the Black Men’s Brunch, held on October 21st at Knobel Hall. This event, rooted in the idea of fostering professional networks among the black men within our community, brilliantly brought together the tapestry of experience from our alumni, faculty, and current students.
Highlights of the Event:
- Oyauma Garrison’s Resonating Message:
- Oyauma, a proud Denison alumnus of the 1996 class and now the President and CEO of A Kid Again, Inc., shared his rich life journey. His emphasis on granting “the benefit of the doubt” in every room we enter, especially as a minority, struck a chord with many. His advocacy for creating impact, helping others along one’s success journey, and the significance of nurturing supportive relationships were themes that reverberated through the hall.
- Alumni Interactions:
- Ray Walker opened up about his journey as a marathon runner with a golden goal of earning the coveted Six Star Finisher Medal, awarded to those who complete all six World Marathon Majors. His narrative reinforced the importance of personal storytelling in carving out one’s unique path and the boundless possibilities that come with putting oneself out there.
- Tim Ewing, a Denison Alum from the class of 1989 and Vice President at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, brought a wealth of experience in human resources and diversity to the table. He shared three pieces of invaluable career advice elaborated on three golden nuggets of advice for anyone embarking on their career journey:
- Self-Acceptance: Accepting and celebrating one’s uniqueness is crucial. Being authentic while maintaining professionalism creates a genuine rapport and fosters trust.
- Seize Every Opportunity: Creating and seizing opportunities is the essence of proactive career growth. It’s about taking the initiative to step outside one’s comfort zone and grab the chances that come one’s way.
- Embrace Your Unique Journey: Every individual’s background and experiences are their unique superpower, providing a distinct perspective that is invaluable in the professional world.
- Taylor Trimble’s Vision:
- Taylor, a Politics and Public Affairs major, played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and bringing to life the Black Men’s Brunch. The meticulous planning commenced last year, reflecting her profound commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for professional networking among black men at Denison.
- Driven by personal experiences and the values instilled by her father concerning education, Taylor envisioned this event as a catalyst to bridge the networking gap often experienced. The brunch aimed to unite the Board of Trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and current black male students, enabling a vibrant exchange of ideas and experiences.
- Despite the challenges faced during the planning phase, Taylor, alongside Zandie Lawson, persevered to ensure the event’s success. Their dedication was palpable, decorating Knobel Hall until the early hours preceding the event.
- Taylor’s overarching goal is to leverage the Black Student Union (BSU) as a vehicle for promoting professional development opportunities and life beyond college, a vision significantly propelled forward by the successful conduct of the Black Men’s Brunch.
- Upcoming BSU Event:
- The Black Student Union (BSU) is set to host an engaging event on October 27th titled “Black Queer Live,” aiming to discuss the intersectionality of being black and queer while ending with a proactive session of letter-writing to politicians.
The Black Men’s Brunch was not just an event, but a step towards creating a robust professional network and fostering a sense of belonging among the black men of our Denison community. The reflections from our distinguished alumni and the enthusiastic participation from our students and faculty have laid a strong foundation for more such empowering events in the future.
Thank you to all the panelists, alumni, organizers, and attendees who made this event a remarkable success. Your insights, experiences, and active engagement are what drive the spirit of inclusivity and growth within our Denison community.
Warm Regards,
Ethan Scott
