Celebrating Grant A Gift Autism Foundation—Ackerman Center
This month is National Development Disabilities Awareness Month, which was established in the US to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This week, I am celebrating a local organization, Grant A Gift Autism Foundation—Ackerman Center, which provides comprehensive clinical services, resources, education, research, and advocacy for individuals and families living with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. It was founded in 2009 by a mother frustrated with finding resources for her son. She turned it into a world-class organization, drawing support from other community members so we don't leave these folks behind.
I have supported this organization during my career with UPS through our community outreach program. It was an eye-opening experience when we worked at the facility and walked during the 5K; what can the community accomplish when we work for the betterment of our people? Most of the time, we take for granted what we have and don't realize how fortunate some of us are.
This month is National Development Disabilities Awareness Month, which was established in the US to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is also Women's History Month, which celebrates all women for their contributions to history and society. (1)
I am celebrating my Sister Cecilia Bridgewater, two years younger than me. However, due to her intellectual disability, she is unable to live independently without outside help. DEI initiatives have helped her with home care and allowed her to work and become a productive member of society. She is such a hard worker and loves going to work. She recently received an award for 10 years of perfect attendance at her job. She now has her cell phone, which gives her a sense of ownership.
She loves everyone and can hug you so strong you can hardly breathe.
As my final Black Heritage Monthly posting and continued resistance to the anti-DEI movement in the United States, I am celebrating Mary Harris and Michelle Harris-Dixon. They have been the Heart and Soul of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Southern Nevada for several years. The Mother/Daughter combo has driven our Event Leadership team's spirit over the last few years. Their team, Sisters of the Heart, has raised over $850,000 for Relay over the years and is on the way to being a legacy Team($1 million raised) with the Relay For Life. During a recent Little J Gambino variety show here in Las Vegas little J noted how Mary and Michelle made him feel loved and supported with his Cancer Diagnosis and that they were there to help him as well as pointing him to others that provide services to instill Hope.
I consider them part of my family and would do anything they ask of me
Below is a picture of us doing some training with the Local School Key Clubs
I am celebrating Black Heritage Resource Groups this week as I continue to resist the Anti-DEC Movement within the US.
I was saddened to see that the DOD and several government agencies have recently disbanded resource groups showcasing various ethnic or other groups. Many people think we don't need this group as everyone should be treated equally. Well, I think that is nonsense, as most people tend to socialize with people like them. These groups allow people to see things that they may not encounter in their daily lives. They help bring other people's points of view into personal focus.
For example, In 1994, while I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, one of my fellow airmen (Daniel Skurka) decided to join the Black Heritage Committee for the DR. Martin Luther King JR. Celebration. He said it was eye-opening and quite an experience, so I joined the group with him. It should be noted that Both Daniel and I are white Americans. Daniel and I took on any role they needed us to do to ensure that the celebration was a success. I even wrote an article for the base newspaper on Dr King's work and ideas.
I enjoyed the experience so much that I have always tried to join those groups when available.
During my UPS Career, I was fortunate to work with quite a few of these groups, which allowed me to meet and interact with people outside of my social Spectrum while continuing to learn about other cultures.
I want to leave you with this comment. It's incredible what people can accomplish when we work together for the good of all.
In Celebration of Black History Month and resistance to the ongoing Anti-DEI movement in the US. I want to celebrate Diana Hicks Sherer.
She is not a world-renowned author but does have a fictional book titled "World Champions Only," about relationships and behind-the-scenes deals made for the Fight of the Century. Diana was a Soul Train Dancer from 1980 to 1988. She was one of the trailblazing female sportswriters who covered various sports. She later became the Director of Marketing and public relations for Forum Boxing. She was also one of my Partners at the UPS Call Center in Las Vegas. She gave me the mantra: " We are getting older and have limited energy, so we need to pick which battles are worth spending it on!" Do I do it right every time? Not really, but I always go back to her words when I self-review to be better the next time.
