Getting to Know Grandpa: A Journey Through Heritage and Inspiration
* Garrison's Most Requested Keynote
Getting to Know Grandpa: A Journey Through Heritage and Inspiration
"Getting to Know Grandpa" is Garrison Thomas's most cherished keynote speech, resonating deeply with audiences across generations.
In this captivating presentation, Garrison delves into the profound impact of his grandfather, Fred Thomas, a man whose legacy has shaped Garrison’s understanding of resilience, family, and identity.
Garrison never met his grandfather, yet he grew up surrounded by tales of Fred's extraordinary life. From overcoming racial barriers to become one of fewer than ten Black pilots in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, to achieving national recognition in athletics, Fred Thomas's story is one of perseverance and triumph against all odds.
This keynote is more than a recounting of historical events; it’s a heartfelt exploration of how family stories and heritage shape who we are.
Through vivid anecdotes, heirlooms, and personal reflections, Garrison connects with the audience on a deeply emotional level. He shares his journey of uncovering his family's rich history, from the inspiring gatherings at Buxton’s National Historic Museum to the moving visits to his grandfather’s gravesite in Windsor.
Each visit is a pilgrimage that strengthens his connection to his roots and reinforces the importance of remembering and honoring those who came before us.
Key Take-Aways
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The Power of Story Telling:
Garrison emphasizes the crucial role storytelling plays in preserving history and fostering a sense of identity and belonging. He encourages audiences to discover and share their own family stories.
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Legacy and Connection
Garrison illustrates how understanding our past can provide a sense of purpose and continuity, helping us to navigate the present and future with confidence and pride.
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Resilience and Overcoming Barriers:
Drawing parallels between his grandfather's achievements and modern challenges, Garrison inspires listeners to persevere through their own obstacles with courage and determination.
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Cultural and Historical Awareness
By delving into his grandfather’s experiences, Garrison highlights significant moments in Black history that have often been overlooked or underacknowledged. He sheds light on the broader implications of these historical narratives for societal progress and equity.
Keynote: Being Proud in the Workplace
This keynote speech by Garrison Thomas focuses on the concept of pride and recognition in the workplace, encouraging individuals to see others as prideful beings and to decenter themselves. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and valuing marginalized voices, creating a more inclusive and respectful work environment.
Audience Transformation:
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Empathy and Awareness: Attendees will leave with a heightened sense of empathy and awareness, understanding the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of all colleagues, especially those from marginalized groups.
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Inclusivity: Participants will be inspired to foster a culture of inclusivity by actively engaging with and supporting diverse voices within their workplace.
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Personal Growth: The audience will be encouraged to reflect on their own behaviors and biases, promoting personal growth and a commitment to being more inclusive in their daily interactions.
Key Takeaways:
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The Power of Recognition: Understanding the impact of acknowledging others' achievements and contributions.
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Decentering Yourself: Learning to step back and prioritize the perspectives and experiences of marginalized voices.
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Daily Actions for Inclusion: Practical steps for fostering inclusivity, such as increasing everyday interactions (e.g., saying 'hi' to colleagues you usually overlook) and being mindful of language and actions.
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Creating a Culture of Pride: Strategies for encouraging pride and self-worth among all team members, regardless of their background.
List of Actionable Steps:
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Greet at least three colleagues daily, particularly those you might not usually interact with.
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Practice active listening during meetings, ensuring all voices are heard.
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Reflect on your own biases and how they may impact your interactions.
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Advocate for marginalized voices in decision-making processes.
Keynote: Reshaping and Reimagining Inclusion and Equity
In this keynote, Garrison Thomas explores the evolving concepts of inclusion and equity, challenging the audience to think beyond traditional frameworks. He emphasizes the importance of empowering voices and presents a fresh perspective on creating a genuinely inclusive and equitable environment.
Audience Transformation:
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Innovative Thinking: Attendees will be encouraged to think creatively about inclusion and equity, going beyond conventional approaches.
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Empowerment: The audience will gain insights into how they can empower marginalized voices within their organizations, fostering a more equitable environment.
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Perspective Shift: Participants will experience a shift in perspective, understanding the value of diverse viewpoints and the need to actively reshape traditional practices.
Key Takeaways:
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Beyond Traditional Inclusion: Exploring new ways to include and empower all voices, especially those historically marginalized.
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The Spirit of Empowerment: Understanding the role of empowerment in creating equitable opportunities for all.
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Practical Strategies for Change: Identifying and implementing strategies to reshape policies and practices that impact inclusion and equity.
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The Importance of Representation: Highlighting the critical role of representation in creating a truly inclusive environment.
List of Actionable Steps:
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Host workshops and discussions on innovative approaches to inclusion.
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Implement policies that ensure diverse representation in leadership roles.
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Create platforms for marginalized voices to share their experiences and perspectives.
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Regularly review and update inclusion and equity policies to reflect evolving best practices.