yes see it with me yes let’s say it again yes and one more
yes let’s say it again yes and one more
yes let’s say it again yes and one more time yes
time yes
time yes no was that so hard right yes in many
no was that so hard right yes in many
no was that so hard right yes in many senses that is one of the most difficult
senses that is one of the most difficult
senses that is one of the most difficult things that we can say or do for
things that we can say or do for
things that we can say or do for ourselves is to say yes I’m Dario Willis
ourselves is to say yes I’m Dario Willis
ourselves is to say yes I’m Dario Willis I’m 31 years old and I come to you
I’m 31 years old and I come to you
I’m 31 years old and I come to you I’m Atlanta Georgia much of the
I’m Atlanta Georgia much of the
I’m Atlanta Georgia much of the introduction that you heard is the
introduction that you heard is the
introduction that you heard is the silver spot that yes she finally made it
silver spot that yes she finally made it
silver spot that yes she finally made it when you look at me do you see that she
when you look at me do you see that she
when you look at me do you see that she was an honor student from high school
was an honor student from high school
was an honor student from high school through college I had to work my way up
through college I had to work my way up
through college I had to work my way up to where I am today so when I started in
to where I am today so when I started in
to where I am today so when I started in high school I was the honor student I
high school I was the honor student I
high school I was the honor student I had a 3.9 GPA from from high school I
had a 3.9 GPA from from high school I
had a 3.9 GPA from from high school I left high school after 11th grade and
left high school after 11th grade and
left high school after 11th grade and went to college at Florida A&M from
went to college at Florida A&M from
went to college at Florida A&M from there I earned my bachelor’s degree
there I earned my bachelor’s degree
there I earned my bachelor’s degree magna laude my master’s degree in
magna laude my master’s degree in
magna laude my master’s degree in one year and my PhD from Florida State
one year and my PhD from Florida State
one year and my PhD from Florida State in five years at the age of 26 at the
in five years at the age of 26 at the
in five years at the age of 26 at the age of 24 I earned my first full-time
age of 24 I earned my first full-time
age of 24 I earned my first full-time faculty position at a college in Texas
faculty position at a college in Texas
faculty position at a college in Texas then I would go later like I said and
then I would go later like I said and
then I would go later like I said and earn my PhD a year later at 25 I was one
earn my PhD a year later at 25 I was one
earn my PhD a year later at 25 I was one of 26 founding faculty who founded one
of 26 founding faculty who founded one
of 26 founding faculty who founded one whole institution by ourselves with one
whole institution by ourselves with one
whole institution by ourselves with one president no deans one VP and 26 faculty
president no deans one VP and 26 faculty
president no deans one VP and 26 faculty members shortly thereafter I walked my
members shortly thereafter I walked my
members shortly thereafter I walked my way into administration at the age of 27
way into administration at the age of 27
way into administration at the age of 27 I became a Dean and went on and on and
I became a Dean and went on and on and
I became a Dean and went on and on and on to where I am today but that story
on to where I am today but that story
on to where I am today but that story doesn’t tell you who I really am and
doesn’t tell you who I really am and
doesn’t tell you who I really am and what I had to endure to get to this
what I had to endure to get to this
what I had to endure to get to this level like I said early I’m originally
level like I said early I’m originally
level like I said early I’m originally from Atlanta Georgia and I grew up in a
from Atlanta Georgia and I grew up in a
from Atlanta Georgia and I grew up in a middle-class community in the suburbs of
middle-class community in the suburbs of
middle-class community in the suburbs of Atlanta an area called Stone Mountain I
Atlanta an area called Stone Mountain I
Atlanta an area called Stone Mountain I had my mother my father
had my mother my father
had my mother my father my older brother and it was nice happy
my older brother and it was nice happy
my older brother and it was nice happy family but if you ask me anything after
family but if you ask me anything after
family but if you ask me anything after the age of six from probably about six
the age of six from probably about six
the age of six from probably about six to twelve I can’t tell you much about my
to twelve I can’t tell you much about my
to twelve I can’t tell you much about my childhood because at the age of six my
childhood because at the age of six my
childhood because at the age of six my father would die at that point I didn’t
father would die at that point I didn’t
father would die at that point I didn’t know why he passed it was in there
know why he passed it was in there
know why he passed it was in there around 91 and I had no idea the family
around 91 and I had no idea the family
around 91 and I had no idea the family was this huge secret that I couldn’t get
was this huge secret that I couldn’t get
was this huge secret that I couldn’t get even my mother wouldn’t tell me it
even my mother wouldn’t tell me it
even my mother wouldn’t tell me it wasn’t until I reached college that she
wasn’t until I reached college that she
wasn’t until I reached college that she said well your father passed from HIV
said well your father passed from HIV
said well your father passed from HIV now going from the age of six to
now going from the age of six to
now going from the age of six to probably eighteen or nineteen years old
probably eighteen or nineteen years old
probably eighteen or nineteen years old when I first learned that that was a
when I first learned that that was a
when I first learned that that was a huge blow to someone at that point but
huge blow to someone at that point but
huge blow to someone at that point but you learned to get through it right you
you learned to get through it right you
you learned to get through it right you learn to move forward you can’t dwell in
learn to move forward you can’t dwell in
learn to move forward you can’t dwell in the past you have to go on so probably
the past you have to go on so probably
the past you have to go on so probably when I hit about 12 years old that’s
when I hit about 12 years old that’s
when I hit about 12 years old that’s when life happens for me again I entered
when life happens for me again I entered
when life happens for me again I entered the band I was very active I did a lot
the band I was very active I did a lot
the band I was very active I did a lot of things in high school I was very
of things in high school I was very
of things in high school I was very active in middle school and then I went
active in middle school and then I went
active in middle school and then I went to college well college was interesting
to college well college was interesting
to college well college was interesting because I was there as an early
because I was there as an early
because I was there as an early admissions scholar I entered with a
admissions scholar I entered with a
admissions scholar I entered with a presidential scholarship I also was
presidential scholarship I also was
presidential scholarship I also was awarded a band scholarship but that
awarded a band scholarship but that
awarded a band scholarship but that still didn’t cover the rest of my
still didn’t cover the rest of my
still didn’t cover the rest of my tuition but within my second year of
tuition but within my second year of
tuition but within my second year of school I had dropped my GPA from a 4.0
school I had dropped my GPA from a 4.0
school I had dropped my GPA from a 4.0 to a 2.6 I was pregnant I didn’t know
to a 2.6 I was pregnant I didn’t know
to a 2.6 I was pregnant I didn’t know what to do and I was afraid to tell my
what to do and I was afraid to tell my
what to do and I was afraid to tell my mom I was even more afraid to tell her
mom I was even more afraid to tell her
mom I was even more afraid to tell her that it wasn’t the first time that I had
that it wasn’t the first time that I had
that it wasn’t the first time that I had become pregnant the first time I ended
become pregnant the first time I ended
become pregnant the first time I ended up having an abortion and I remember
up having an abortion and I remember
up having an abortion and I remember being in the clinic that day and the
being in the clinic that day and the
being in the clinic that day and the lady looked at me and said girls like
lady looked at me and said girls like
lady looked at me and said girls like you always come in here
you always come in here
you always come in here you’ll be back imagine someone saying
you’ll be back imagine someone saying
you’ll be back imagine someone saying that to you I didn’t come back so after
that to you I didn’t come back so after
that to you I didn’t come back so after I had my daughter
I had my daughter
I had my daughter and at 20 years old it was finally at
and at 20 years old it was finally at
and at 20 years old it was finally at that moment at 20 years old when I
that moment at 20 years old when I
that moment at 20 years old when I looked at my daughter and I said I never
looked at my daughter and I said I never
looked at my daughter and I said I never wanted her to look at me and I was
wanted her to look at me and I was
wanted her to look at me and I was nothing I never wanted her to look at
nothing I never wanted her to look at
nothing I never wanted her to look at her mother and say that she didn’t
her mother and say that she didn’t
her mother and say that she didn’t contribute anything to society so at
contribute anything to society so at
contribute anything to society so at that moment I had to learn to have the
that moment I had to learn to have the
that moment I had to learn to have the courage to say yes yes to myself yes to
courage to say yes yes to myself yes to
courage to say yes yes to myself yes to getting my act together yes to investing
getting my act together yes to investing
getting my act together yes to investing in Who I want it to be and to have
in Who I want it to be and to have
in Who I want it to be and to have wanting more for myself
wanting more for myself
wanting more for myself so what did I do I didn’t do anything I
so what did I do I didn’t do anything I
so what did I do I didn’t do anything I sat back tried to figure it out and
sat back tried to figure it out and
sat back tried to figure it out and finally progress back through school so
finally progress back through school so
finally progress back through school so I started taking all kinds of classes 21
I started taking all kinds of classes 21
I started taking all kinds of classes 21 hours here 21 hours there and by my
hours here 21 hours there and by my
hours here 21 hours there and by my third year I graduated but I had a BA in
third year I graduated but I had a BA in
third year I graduated but I had a BA in history what do you do with that nothing
history what do you do with that nothing
history what do you do with that nothing I tell you now if you want to get a BA
I tell you now if you want to get a BA
I tell you now if you want to get a BA in the liberal arts and you don’t want
in the liberal arts and you don’t want
in the liberal arts and you don’t want to get a graduate degree you learn very
to get a graduate degree you learn very
to get a graduate degree you learn very quickly that there are not many job
quickly that there are not many job
quickly that there are not many job opportunities out there but at that time
opportunities out there but at that time
opportunities out there but at that time I did something a little silly as well
I did something a little silly as well
I did something a little silly as well so I felt this since I was pregnant I
so I felt this since I was pregnant I
so I felt this since I was pregnant I had to get married to the guy right
had to get married to the guy right
had to get married to the guy right because you want that big happy family
because you want that big happy family
because you want that big happy family the white picket fence and I’m here to
the white picket fence and I’m here to
the white picket fence and I’m here to tell you you don’t have to do that
tell you you don’t have to do that
tell you you don’t have to do that either that was the worst decision that
either that was the worst decision that
either that was the worst decision that I could have ever made because it was a
I could have ever made because it was a
I could have ever made because it was a constant battle between the two of us on
constant battle between the two of us on
constant battle between the two of us on where direction my life was going to
where direction my life was going to
where direction my life was going to take while he felt that I should have
take while he felt that I should have
take while he felt that I should have just gotten my bachelor’s degree and go
just gotten my bachelor’s degree and go
just gotten my bachelor’s degree and go off and be a school teacher because we
off and be a school teacher because we
off and be a school teacher because we need the money remember when I said that
need the money remember when I said that
need the money remember when I said that when I looked at my daughter the day she
when I looked at my daughter the day she
when I looked at my daughter the day she was born I wanted her to see me as being
was born I wanted her to see me as being
was born I wanted her to see me as being something more doing something different
something more doing something different
something more doing something different in creating my own path so while he told
in creating my own path so while he told
in creating my own path so while he told me no I said yes so I had this professor
me no I said yes so I had this professor
me no I said yes so I had this professor who believed in me after I got my
who believed in me after I got my
who believed in me after I got my bachelor’s I went back to Atlanta I
bachelor’s I went back to Atlanta I
bachelor’s I went back to Atlanta I stayed with my mom and if you’ve ever
stayed with my mom and if you’ve ever
stayed with my mom and if you’ve ever lived with your parents I wouldn’t
lived with your parents I wouldn’t
lived with your parents I wouldn’t recommend it we love each other dearly
recommend it we love each other dearly
recommend it we love each other dearly but I still wouldn’t recommend it so he
but I still wouldn’t recommend it so he
but I still wouldn’t recommend it so he called me up one day and he said Jerry
called me up one day and he said Jerry
called me up one day and he said Jerry what are you doing
what are you doing
what are you doing so working as a reader score at Pearson
so working as a reader score at Pearson
so working as a reader score at Pearson and if you’ve ever done that you sit in
and if you’ve ever done that you sit in
and if you’ve ever done that you sit in a room with all these computers and from
a room with all these computers and from
a room with all these computers and from 9 to 5 you read essays that students
9 to 5 you read essays that students
9 to 5 you read essays that students wrote to pass some standardized exam now
wrote to pass some standardized exam now
wrote to pass some standardized exam now I’m a college graduate I was making $8
I’m a college graduate I was making $8
I’m a college graduate I was making $8 an hour doing that and really ashamed of
an hour doing that and really ashamed of
an hour doing that and really ashamed of myself so he called and said we have
myself so he called and said we have
myself so he called and said we have this new program it’s the summer program
this new program it’s the summer program
this new program it’s the summer program we get you through in a year and I’ve
we get you through in a year and I’ve
we get you through in a year and I’ve got money
got money
got money all I need you to do is come back so
all I need you to do is come back so
all I need you to do is come back so what did I do
what did I do
what did I do got in my car packed up my daughter
got in my car packed up my daughter
got in my car packed up my daughter drove back to Tallahassee Florida I
drove back to Tallahassee Florida I
drove back to Tallahassee Florida I matriculated through Florida A&M for a
matriculated through Florida A&M for a
matriculated through Florida A&M for a year and then I said well shoot what am
year and then I said well shoot what am
year and then I said well shoot what am I supposed to do now I have a master’s
I supposed to do now I have a master’s
I supposed to do now I have a master’s degree in history still sitting here
degree in history still sitting here
degree in history still sitting here with no options nowhere to go
with no options nowhere to go
with no options nowhere to go then there was someone else that came
then there was someone else that came
then there was someone else that came along she was the Dean of Graduate
along she was the Dean of Graduate
along she was the Dean of Graduate Studies at the time they had just come
Studies at the time they had just come
Studies at the time they had just come up with state of Florida had just come
up with state of Florida had just come
up with state of Florida had just come up with this new program that gave money
up with this new program that gave money
up with this new program that gave money to students of color to help them go off
to students of color to help them go off
to students of color to help them go off to be doctors lawyers or whatever they
to be doctors lawyers or whatever they
to be doctors lawyers or whatever they want it to be she fought for me to get
want it to be she fought for me to get
want it to be she fought for me to get the scholarship to go to another
the scholarship to go to another
the scholarship to go to another institution across the street she called
institution across the street she called
institution across the street she called me in her office one day I was her
me in her office one day I was her
me in her office one day I was her intern I did some research for and she
intern I did some research for and she
intern I did some research for and she said well what is it that you’re going
said well what is it that you’re going
said well what is it that you’re going to do now that you have your masters and
to do now that you have your masters and
to do now that you have your masters and I said well no guess I’ll find a job I’m
I said well no guess I’ll find a job I’m
I said well no guess I’ll find a job I’m definitely not going back home to my mom
definitely not going back home to my mom
definitely not going back home to my mom so I’ve got to do something cuz I had my
so I’ve got to do something cuz I had my
so I’ve got to do something cuz I had my daughter at the time still had no clue
daughter at the time still had no clue
daughter at the time still had no clue of what I wanted to do so she said hey
of what I wanted to do so she said hey
of what I wanted to do so she said hey I’ve got the scholarship for he wants
I’ve got the scholarship for he wants
I’ve got the scholarship for he wants you to go do that so I became the career
you to go do that so I became the career
you to go do that so I became the career student it wasn’t in my path I didn’t
student it wasn’t in my path I didn’t
student it wasn’t in my path I didn’t want to be a doctor I didn’t know what a
want to be a doctor I didn’t know what a
want to be a doctor I didn’t know what a PhD was but I said well if you give me
PhD was but I said well if you give me
PhD was but I said well if you give me money to do it why not any and y’all
money to do it why not any and y’all
money to do it why not any and y’all been in that situation before they say
been in that situation before they say
been in that situation before they say here’s some money okay I’ll take that
here’s some money okay I’ll take that
here’s some money okay I’ll take that and here I was on my way to Florida
and here I was on my way to Florida
and here I was on my way to Florida State didn’t know what it was about
State didn’t know what it was about
State didn’t know what it was about didn’t know what I was walking into but
didn’t know what I was walking into but
didn’t know what I was walking into but I had this opportunity but again I had
I had this opportunity but again I had
I had this opportunity but again I had to say yes so I said yes still married
to say yes so I said yes still married
to say yes so I said yes still married still had a baby and I said yes so I go
still had a baby and I said yes so I go
still had a baby and I said yes so I go home and I say to my husband I’m going
home and I say to my husband I’m going
home and I say to my husband I’m going to get my doctorate and that caused the
to get my doctorate and that caused the
to get my doctorate and that caused the biggest issue that
biggest issue that
biggest issue that probably you could ever imagine for a
probably you could ever imagine for a
probably you could ever imagine for a woman to tell her husband that he was so
woman to tell her husband that he was so
woman to tell her husband that he was so mad how could you make such a big
mad how could you make such a big
mad how could you make such a big decision like this you’re supposed to go
decision like this you’re supposed to go
decision like this you’re supposed to go to work well long story short we got a
to work well long story short we got a
to work well long story short we got a divorce I had to say yes to that one too
but it was interesting because when I
but it was interesting because when I would call my mother and I say I’m
would call my mother and I say I’m
would call my mother and I say I’m dealing with this I’m dealing with that
dealing with this I’m dealing with that
dealing with this I’m dealing with that she didn’t understand where I was coming
she didn’t understand where I was coming
she didn’t understand where I was coming from but it’s not because out of malice
from but it’s not because out of malice
from but it’s not because out of malice but she just did not understand my
but she just did not understand my
but she just did not understand my mother made it as far as high school her
mother made it as far as high school her
mother made it as far as high school her guidance counselor in Hartwell Georgia
guidance counselor in Hartwell Georgia
guidance counselor in Hartwell Georgia told her she’d never be anything that
told her she’d never be anything that
told her she’d never be anything that she’d never make it she was the oldest
she’d never make it she was the oldest
she’d never make it she was the oldest of eight kids so she never had an
of eight kids so she never had an
of eight kids so she never had an opportunity to go to college but the one
opportunity to go to college but the one
opportunity to go to college but the one thing she wanted for me was to go to
thing she wanted for me was to go to
thing she wanted for me was to go to college my father was the same he
college my father was the same he
college my father was the same he graduated from high school he went off
graduated from high school he went off
graduated from high school he went off to the military and he died at 26 from
to the military and he died at 26 from
to the military and he died at 26 from HIV so he never got to see me or my
HIV so he never got to see me or my
HIV so he never got to see me or my brother do anything so the one thing I
brother do anything so the one thing I
brother do anything so the one thing I wanted to do was to move forward but she
wanted to do was to move forward but she
wanted to do was to move forward but she did give me that $500 to go file the
did give me that $500 to go file the
did give me that $500 to go file the paperwork with the court to get rid of
paperwork with the court to get rid of
paperwork with the court to get rid of that guy that I called my husband so
that guy that I called my husband so
that guy that I called my husband so that was great I did pay her back by the
that was great I did pay her back by the
that was great I did pay her back by the way so after I do that now I’m this
way so after I do that now I’m this
way so after I do that now I’m this single parent nowhere to go nothing to
single parent nowhere to go nothing to
single parent nowhere to go nothing to do so my daughter and I moved into an
do so my daughter and I moved into an
do so my daughter and I moved into an apartment complex at Florida State
apartment complex at Florida State
apartment complex at Florida State it was old it was dusty but that’s all
it was old it was dusty but that’s all
it was old it was dusty but that’s all we had and so we were there and I
we had and so we were there and I
we had and so we were there and I matriculated through the program and
matriculated through the program and
matriculated through the program and then the recession hit college
then the recession hit college
then the recession hit college institutions started slashing
institutions started slashing
institutions started slashing instructors left and right I was an
instructors left and right I was an
instructors left and right I was an adjunct instructor at the time while
adjunct instructor at the time while
adjunct instructor at the time while going to school full-time I worked in a
going to school full-time I worked in a
going to school full-time I worked in a museum
museum
museum I worked at another museum full-time and
I worked at another museum full-time and
I worked at another museum full-time and my daughter was always with me in tow
my daughter was always with me in tow
my daughter was always with me in tow going from here they’re there everywhere
going from here they’re there everywhere
going from here they’re there everywhere so what did I do I apply for jobs
so what did I do I apply for jobs
so what did I do I apply for jobs literally probably 40 jobs at one time
literally probably 40 jobs at one time
literally probably 40 jobs at one time only one institution called me back from
only one institution called me back from
only one institution called me back from 40 schools one institution called me
40 schools one institution called me
40 schools one institution called me back
back
back so I went to my advisor
for my master’s degree and I said hey I
for my master’s degree and I said hey I got this opportunity they caught me back
got this opportunity they caught me back
got this opportunity they caught me back with this interview for an assistant
with this interview for an assistant
with this interview for an assistant professor position and he looks at me
professor position and he looks at me
professor position and he looks at me and he goes all hmm
and he goes all hmm
and he goes all hmm well that’s interesting he said it’ll be
well that’s interesting he said it’ll be
well that’s interesting he said it’ll be good practice for you but you’ll
good practice for you but you’ll
good practice for you but you’ll probably never get that job now imagine
probably never get that job now imagine
probably never get that job now imagine someone I looked up to said well that’s
someone I looked up to said well that’s
someone I looked up to said well that’s good
good
good but you’ll be up against people they
but you’ll be up against people they
but you’ll be up against people they already have their PhD but you should go
already have their PhD but you should go
already have their PhD but you should go for practice I said okay
for practice I said okay
for practice I said okay so again when people throw money at you
so again when people throw money at you
so again when people throw money at you and say well we’ll pay for your flight
and say well we’ll pay for your flight
and say well we’ll pay for your flight and we’ll pay for your hotel to come all
and we’ll pay for your hotel to come all
and we’ll pay for your hotel to come all the way to Tomball Texas guess what I
the way to Tomball Texas guess what I
the way to Tomball Texas guess what I did
did
did I said yes got on that plane didn’t know
I said yes got on that plane didn’t know
I said yes got on that plane didn’t know anything about Texas besides cowboy
anything about Texas besides cowboy
anything about Texas besides cowboy boots and belts and shoes and hats and
boots and belts and shoes and hats and
boots and belts and shoes and hats and starch lee white t-shirts that’s all I
starch lee white t-shirts that’s all I
starch lee white t-shirts that’s all I knew but I went I was as nervous as
knew but I went I was as nervous as
knew but I went I was as nervous as could be probably more nervous than I am
could be probably more nervous than I am
could be probably more nervous than I am standing up here today I had a fait
standing up here today I had a fait
standing up here today I had a fait low-cut no hair but I went in there and
low-cut no hair but I went in there and
low-cut no hair but I went in there and did the interview flew back home to
did the interview flew back home to
did the interview flew back home to Tallahassee week later I got another
Tallahassee week later I got another
Tallahassee week later I got another call hey we’re interested in you the
call hey we’re interested in you the
call hey we’re interested in you the president wants to talk so I was excited
president wants to talk so I was excited
president wants to talk so I was excited I ran back to the same person who told
I ran back to the same person who told
I ran back to the same person who told me that I couldn’t do it and I said they
me that I couldn’t do it and I said they
me that I couldn’t do it and I said they caught me back and he was just a stunt
caught me back and he was just a stunt
caught me back and he was just a stunt and she was like wow okay well you go
and she was like wow okay well you go
and she was like wow okay well you go ahead and do that and let me know what
ahead and do that and let me know what
ahead and do that and let me know what happens and so I did I went back I had
happens and so I did I went back I had
happens and so I did I went back I had an interview and luckily the president
an interview and luckily the president
an interview and luckily the president was a woman the vice president at the
was a woman the vice president at the
was a woman the vice president at the time was another woman and they kept
time was another woman and they kept
time was another woman and they kept asking me all these questions how did
asking me all these questions how did
asking me all these questions how did you get here why don’t you apply for our
you get here why don’t you apply for our
you get here why don’t you apply for our college and I said to be honest I
college and I said to be honest I
college and I said to be honest I applied everywhere I don’t know much
applied everywhere I don’t know much
applied everywhere I don’t know much about your institution except for you in
about your institution except for you in
about your institution except for you in one of the 40 on the list that I applied
one of the 40 on the list that I applied
one of the 40 on the list that I applied for it and y’all called back and when
for it and y’all called back and when
for it and y’all called back and when you called back I had to go back in my
you called back I had to go back in my
you called back I had to go back in my books and see what is this school that I
books and see what is this school that I
books and see what is this school that I applied to and they thought it was funny
applied to and they thought it was funny
applied to and they thought it was funny but it’s exactly what I did
but it’s exactly what I did
but it’s exactly what I did so nonetheless I was offered the job and
so nonetheless I was offered the job and
so nonetheless I was offered the job and I had five hundred dollars in my pocket
I had five hundred dollars in my pocket
I had five hundred dollars in my pocket I sent my daughter back home to Atlanta
I sent my daughter back home to Atlanta
I sent my daughter back home to Atlanta and I drove from Tallahassee to Houston
and I drove from Tallahassee to Houston
and I drove from Tallahassee to Houston Texas and I stayed in an extended value
Texas and I stayed in an extended value
Texas and I stayed in an extended value hotel where all kinds of riffraff
hotel where all kinds of riffraff
hotel where all kinds of riffraff happens there if you’ve ever seen them
happens there if you’ve ever seen them
happens there if you’ve ever seen them before but I was able to purchase my
before but I was able to purchase my
before but I was able to purchase my first home at 24
I was able to provide my daughter a life
I was able to provide my daughter a life that I wanted her to have because again
that I wanted her to have because again
that I wanted her to have because again I wanted her to have more than what I
I wanted her to have more than what I
I wanted her to have more than what I had so we get to Texas if you’ve ever
had so we get to Texas if you’ve ever
had so we get to Texas if you’ve ever been there it’s a very interesting place
been there it’s a very interesting place
been there it’s a very interesting place they do say everything is bigger in
they do say everything is bigger in
they do say everything is bigger in Texas and it is the cars are huge the
Texas and it is the cars are huge the
Texas and it is the cars are huge the trucks are huge I felt like this
trucks are huge I felt like this
trucks are huge I felt like this itty-bitty person in this massive town
itty-bitty person in this massive town
itty-bitty person in this massive town that I didn’t know anything about my
that I didn’t know anything about my
that I didn’t know anything about my mother was upset with me because she
mother was upset with me because she
mother was upset with me because she said now you’re moving so much further
said now you’re moving so much further
said now you’re moving so much further away but again I had to build up enough
away but again I had to build up enough
away but again I had to build up enough courage to say well this is something
courage to say well this is something
courage to say well this is something that I want to do I don’t want to stay
that I want to do I don’t want to stay
that I want to do I don’t want to stay at home I want to be more than what they
at home I want to be more than what they
at home I want to be more than what they said I could be so I’m going off and I’m
said I could be so I’m going off and I’m
said I could be so I’m going off and I’m doing this so I did it but then you find
doing this so I did it but then you find
doing this so I did it but then you find out workplace issues there’s not a class
out workplace issues there’s not a class
out workplace issues there’s not a class that teaches you anything about dealing
that teaches you anything about dealing
that teaches you anything about dealing with people yeah you take psychology and
with people yeah you take psychology and
with people yeah you take psychology and sociology and those types of things but
sociology and those types of things but
sociology and those types of things but there is not a class there’s not a
there is not a class there’s not a
there is not a class there’s not a workplace issues 101 and how to deal
workplace issues 101 and how to deal
workplace issues 101 and how to deal with that person that don’t like you 102
with that person that don’t like you 102
with that person that don’t like you 102 there’s not a class that tells you that
there’s not a class that tells you that
there’s not a class that tells you that so you walk in the door one of the
so you walk in the door one of the
so you walk in the door one of the youngest members on the faculty and I
youngest members on the faculty and I
youngest members on the faculty and I was the only african-american woman that
was the only african-american woman that
was the only african-american woman that they had ever hired to teach history at
they had ever hired to teach history at
they had ever hired to teach history at this college so imagine how intimidating
this college so imagine how intimidating
this college so imagine how intimidating that made me felt well I worked there
that made me felt well I worked there
that made me felt well I worked there for a year it was fun and then they said
for a year it was fun and then they said
for a year it was fun and then they said something about we’re going to have this
something about we’re going to have this
something about we’re going to have this brand new college that we’re going to
brand new college that we’re going to
brand new college that we’re going to open any takers so I didn’t really care
open any takers so I didn’t really care
open any takers so I didn’t really care for the environment that I was in so I
for the environment that I was in so I
for the environment that I was in so I said I’ll go again having the courage to
said I’ll go again having the courage to
said I’ll go again having the courage to say yes so I went I was one of two
say yes so I went I was one of two
say yes so I went I was one of two history faculty members and that’s when
history faculty members and that’s when
history faculty members and that’s when I really stepped up my game and decided
I really stepped up my game and decided
I really stepped up my game and decided that I want to do something more than
that I want to do something more than
that I want to do something more than just teach so from that moment I sat
just teach so from that moment I sat
just teach so from that moment I sat back I was in my little office I put all
back I was in my little office I put all
back I was in my little office I put all my history pictures up and I said I’m
my history pictures up and I said I’m
my history pictures up and I said I’m really somebody now well then I found
really somebody now well then I found
really somebody now well then I found out that they wanted something this
out that they wanted something this
out that they wanted something this position called faculty senate president
position called faculty senate president
position called faculty senate president so this group of people came up to me
so this group of people came up to me
so this group of people came up to me and they said well we think you would be
and they said well we think you would be
and they said well we think you would be the best one to do this position i said
the best one to do this position i said
the best one to do this position i said what’s that I said all you do is
what’s that I said all you do is
what’s that I said all you do is just you know lead the meeting you’re
just you know lead the meeting you’re
just you know lead the meeting you’re really a facilitator you just talk to
really a facilitator you just talk to
really a facilitator you just talk to people you come up with our agenda and
people you come up with our agenda and
people you come up with our agenda and we run everything else so I said okay I
we run everything else so I said okay I
we run everything else so I said okay I don’t have anything else to do because
don’t have anything else to do because
don’t have anything else to do because you know by that time you know I would
you know by that time you know I would
you know by that time you know I would be finished teaching my classes and be
be finished teaching my classes and be
be finished teaching my classes and be back at the bus stop to meet my daughter
back at the bus stop to meet my daughter
back at the bus stop to meet my daughter well little did I know Faculty Senate
well little did I know Faculty Senate
well little did I know Faculty Senate President was a really big deal I took
President was a really big deal I took
President was a really big deal I took the position and made friends on one
the position and made friends on one
the position and made friends on one hand and several enemies on the other
hand and several enemies on the other
hand and several enemies on the other but that’s okay because in this process
but that’s okay because in this process
but that’s okay because in this process of saying yes it’s all about me right
of saying yes it’s all about me right
of saying yes it’s all about me right now because so many other people are
now because so many other people are
now because so many other people are going to tell you no so there was a
going to tell you no so there was a
going to tell you no so there was a faction that said well she’s too young
faction that said well she’s too young
faction that said well she’s too young she can’t do it she just came out of
she can’t do it she just came out of
she can’t do it she just came out of grad school she hasn’t even finished her
grad school she hasn’t even finished her
grad school she hasn’t even finished her PhD yet why does she need to be in this
PhD yet why does she need to be in this
PhD yet why does she need to be in this position but again you have to fight
position but again you have to fight
position but again you have to fight your way to say yes so I did that then I
your way to say yes so I did that then I
your way to say yes so I did that then I became department chair then I left that
became department chair then I left that
became department chair then I left that College and went to another one and
College and went to another one and
College and went to another one and became a Dean then I left that College
became a Dean then I left that College
became a Dean then I left that College and went to another one and became
and went to another one and became
and went to another one and became another Dean and then I made my way here
another Dean and then I made my way here
another Dean and then I made my way here to New York when I caught my mom and
to New York when I caught my mom and
to New York when I caught my mom and said hey I’m going to New York this
said hey I’m going to New York this
said hey I’m going to New York this weekend she said oh is it a conference I
weekend she said oh is it a conference I
weekend she said oh is it a conference I was like yeah it’s a conference there
was like yeah it’s a conference there
was like yeah it’s a conference there was no conference up in Syracuse New
was no conference up in Syracuse New
was no conference up in Syracuse New York that I could tell her about the
York that I could tell her about the
York that I could tell her about the only thing that I had was a job
only thing that I had was a job
only thing that I had was a job interview so I caught her back when I
interview so I caught her back when I
interview so I caught her back when I was off with the job and I said I just
was off with the job and I said I just
was off with the job and I said I just want to let you know we’re going to
want to let you know we’re going to
want to let you know we’re going to Syracuse and she had a fit and I was
Syracuse and she had a fit and I was
Syracuse and she had a fit and I was already in Texas she’s still in Atlanta
already in Texas she’s still in Atlanta
already in Texas she’s still in Atlanta and she had a fit and I had to sit her
and she had a fit and I had to sit her
and she had a fit and I had to sit her down and say mom you have been there
down and say mom you have been there
down and say mom you have been there with me through it all from the time
with me through it all from the time
with me through it all from the time that my GPA dropped to a 2.8 to the time
that my GPA dropped to a 2.8 to the time
that my GPA dropped to a 2.8 to the time that I was evicted out of my apartment
that I was evicted out of my apartment
that I was evicted out of my apartment because I didn’t have enough money to
because I didn’t have enough money to
because I didn’t have enough money to pay for it to the time that I had to
pay for it to the time that I had to
pay for it to the time that I had to send lyric back to you because I didn’t
send lyric back to you because I didn’t
send lyric back to you because I didn’t have enough money to support her to the
have enough money to support her to the
have enough money to support her to the time when you told me what happened to
time when you told me what happened to
time when you told me what happened to my dad from the time that you told me
my dad from the time that you told me
my dad from the time that you told me that you can make it from the time that
that you can make it from the time that
that you can make it from the time that you told me that you know when I earned
you told me that you know when I earned
you told me that you know when I earned my pee
my pee
my pee she and I thought that I wasn’t going to
she and I thought that I wasn’t going to
she and I thought that I wasn’t going to get it because I was having some issues
get it because I was having some issues
get it because I was having some issues you said keep pushing have faith and
you said keep pushing have faith and
you said keep pushing have faith and keep moving on because I was going to
keep moving on because I was going to
keep moving on because I was going to quit and if I would have quit where
quit and if I would have quit where
quit and if I would have quit where would I be today
would I be today
would I be today sometimes as students we look at our
sometimes as students we look at our
sometimes as students we look at our teachers or our administrators they’re
teachers or our administrators they’re
teachers or our administrators they’re all put together and we think well
all put together and we think well
all put together and we think well you’ve never experienced anything in
you’ve never experienced anything in
you’ve never experienced anything in life we think that you know you don’t
life we think that you know you don’t
life we think that you know you don’t know what it’s like to grow up and not
know what it’s like to grow up and not
know what it’s like to grow up and not have anything don’t make those
have anything don’t make those
have anything don’t make those assumptions because every person that
assumptions because every person that
assumptions because every person that stands in front of you has had to have
stands in front of you has had to have
stands in front of you has had to have the courage to say yes and it’s very
the courage to say yes and it’s very
the courage to say yes and it’s very difficult because you have to go against
difficult because you have to go against
difficult because you have to go against the grain and go against the mold and
the grain and go against the mold and
the grain and go against the mold and chart your own path you have to go the
chart your own path you have to go the
chart your own path you have to go the untraditional route when everybody says
untraditional route when everybody says
untraditional route when everybody says well you’re too young you can’t go that
well you’re too young you can’t go that
well you’re too young you can’t go that way
way
way or you’re a woman you’re not supposed to
or you’re a woman you’re not supposed to
or you’re a woman you’re not supposed to be here I’ve sat in meetings where I’m
be here I’ve sat in meetings where I’m
be here I’ve sat in meetings where I’m the only one I’m the only
the only one I’m the only
the only one I’m the only african-american or I’m the only woman
african-american or I’m the only woman
african-american or I’m the only woman or I’m the youngest in the room but you
or I’m the youngest in the room but you
or I’m the youngest in the room but you have to learn to say yes to yourself
have to learn to say yes to yourself
have to learn to say yes to yourself because if you don’t then you can likely
because if you don’t then you can likely
because if you don’t then you can likely close the door on an opportunity that
close the door on an opportunity that
close the door on an opportunity that will literally change your life thank
will literally change your life thank
will literally change your life thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
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