President Julie Pingston sounded the bell at 12:31 p.m., bringing Rotarians to order.
In honor of today’s diversity, equity and inclusion theme, Joel Hoffman delivered an invocation called “A Prayer For the World” by Rabbi Harold A. Kushner. Joel purposefully avoiding alienating approximately 30 percent of the nation’s population or non-Christian religions. The prayer was a call to action to let go of old grudges and hatreds; to allow healing and new beginnings where we shed labels and judgments associated with our accents, gender and skin color.
The patriotic song featured John Dale Smith and America the Beautiful on piano.
Visiting Rotarians and guests were welcomed and recognized, including:
- Nathan Triplett, District Governor;
- Bill McMillan, who is recently retired and newly moved from Frankfurt, with an interest in Rotary Clubs in the Lansing area;
- Hunter Sullivan, Assistant Director, Capital City Market, submitted his application for membership;
- Krista Stevens, Executive Branch Director, Bethany Christian Services;
- Scott Watkins introduced his guest, Jamey Fitzpatrick, President & CEO, Michigan Virtual and resident of Grand Ledge, who spends his time building 12-foot tall snowmen;
- Katie Krick’s guest was Silas Olsen, Business Development representative from Dewpoint, an IT and business-solutions company. He graduated from MSU as an Evans Scholar and majored in economics with a minor in entrepreneurship. His hobbies include collecting vinyl records;
- Marcy Rzepka, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, and guest of Rotarian Susan Angel. She is interested in joining Rotary;
- Kelli Ellsworth-Etchison, Chief Marketing and Diversity Officer, LAFCU, introduced her guests, members of LAFCU’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee: Chris Wood, Emily Jannereth and Jeremy Sampson.
- Lisa O’Connor, President & CEO, Publicom, was also Kelli’s guest.
Diane Sanborn had nothing to report regarding the health of the club, which, in her words, is excellent.
President Julie shared that, in lieu of special music in the last couple of weeks, dance and poetry have been featured. She played a video of Kelli Ellsworth-Etchison reciting a powerful poem she’d recorded called “I Have a Right to Breathe.” I HAVE A RIGHT TO BREATHE - YouTube
Kelli then introduced today’s panelists, including Dr. Tonya Bailey, a sought-after conference speaker, workshop presenter and personal development coach and trainer. She has been a corporate consultant and executive educational advisor for over 20 years. She is also the Diversity Equity Officer for Lansing Community College. She is married and has eight children.
Jimmy Greene is the CEO and President of Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan. He is the first Black CEO in ABC’s 60-year history. Jimmy is responsible for public policy and urban affairs for ABC members. Prior to this role, he served as CEO and President of Associated Builders and Contractors’ Greater Michigan Chapter and the Greater Michigan Construction Academy Company. He is very passionate about youth and a desire to give them the tools they need to own their own businesses and control their own destiny.
Jon Horford launched and owns multiple small businesses. He is a former college and professional basketball player. He has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours coaching and mentoring young athletes. He co-chairs Grand Ledge United, serves on the Governor’s Black Leadership Advisory Subcommittee on Health, and is on the Ingham County Parks and Recreation Committee.
Kelli said, while we commit words to paper about who we are, for most of us, that information represents a micro perspective of our whole selves. She encouraged an open mind and an open heart for the panel discussion. She also said, “We need our white allies. We need you. Don’t look at your privilege as a negative. Don’t look at your power and influence as a negative. Embrace it, because we need it to help change things.”
She also reminded us that none of us were the original constructionists of our Constitution, slavery or racism, yet we have all played a role in the beast that it still is today “by either not addressing policies and practices that need to be changed; not speaking from our own truths; not wanting to participate in dialog; not calling out that friend, co-worker or family member when they make an off-color joke or comment we’ve kept it alive.”
She also said that there are many who want the conversation to go away. “They’re done talking about it, they don’t believe racism exists or whatever their reason is for not engaging.”
She explained that her name, Kelli, was given to her by her mother It is her true name, but her maiden name, Ellsworth, is not her true name. Rather, it is a constant and painful reminder of the brutality that came with it. She does not know her name, her heritage or her kin. She also does not have the option to walk away from the impact of racism; to say that she doesn’t want to talk about it or deal with it; to wish it away. Every time she writes or sees her name, she is reminded that “there is history in this country that thought so little of us. So our moment is right now. We all owe it to humanity to work together, to deconstruct what’s been constructed, and to let the rain wash it away. I’m ready. Bring on the sun.”
Kelli invited everyone to walk away from today’s discussion as a change agent, though she recognizes not everyone will go along. She hoped that the panel she assembled would give us words of wisdom and, possibly, some practical application.
Dr. Tonya Bailey, Jimmy Greene and Jon Horford also spoke from their hearts to share with attendees their experiences and perspectives.
It was a heavy but enlightening, moving and welcome discussion that prompted deep introspection and self-examination.
Lolo Robison's email is: LRobison@cata.org