Global
Greg's life and work has had some meaningful international connections, When he was a teenager, his parents met a student originally from Vietnam. At times, he stayed with Greg's family while he completed his academic studies. He had a significant influence on Greg's interest in learning about & from people from other countries & cultures. Since graduating college, Greg has hosted hundreds of group brunches & dinners -- including meals in Canada & South Africa -- to help connect people within those communities. On the civic side, his Foundation has funded many grants & college scholarships -- including many for students who grew up in other nations before moving to America. (Scroll down for next paragraph)
Greg has been invited to speak at events in the USA for attendees from other countries (i.e. keynote speaker, 4th 21st Century Academy Forum at Harvard with attendees from 30+ nations) as well as events in the USA that focus on global issues (i.e. Global Fair for teens in New Hampshire). He has spoken at events in other nations (i.e. annual breakfast for United Way supporters in Canada). In Toronto, he was invited to serve as guest speaker at an event that celebrated a Canadian holiday (Remembrance Day at York School). He has spoken at bilingual events in the USA -- including events for people who speak Russian (an event for Russian senior citizens in New York, with a translator), French (QPAT Convention keynote speaker in Montreal, with a translator) & Spanish (Latino College Fair keynote speaker in Colorado). In different countries, he has been invited to speak with people who work in different industries (i.e. a conference for nurses, a conference for teachers, an awards ceremony honoring people in public service positions).
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He has served as Scholar-in-Residence for schools / programs in other countries (i.e. civic engagement program for students and teachers in Africa). In 2013, he was chosen as one of the Aspen Ideas Festival Scholars - a group that included people from other nations &/or Americans doing work in other places including France, Mexico, Prague, Japan & Nepal. Greg's art has gone on exhibit at events in different places -- including Canada (a charity event for young professionals), the Caribbean (as part of a guest lecture on a cruise) & Africa (one night exhibit at SAJ Museum). At an event in Canada, he received the Portraits in Humanity Award - given to someone who used the arts to make a difference. He did book signings at Cape Town Book Fair in Africa. He has written articles & columns for a number of magazines in Canada. For other publications, he has written profiles about people living in countries like Italy & South Africa. He has been interviewed about his own travels by FLY Magazine. The books based on Greg's story (The Silhouette Man and The First Thirty) include reviews on page 1 &/or the back covers from sources in Canada, Kenya & South Africa. The books have been used internally or externally by organizations in the US with global connections. The organization that oversees the Golden Gate Bridge ordered copies of the book for selected students at International School. (Scroll down for next paragraph)
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The books also have been used by programs sending Americans abroad to other countries. For instance, multiple chapters of Diller Teen Fellows -- a program that sends students to Israel -- have gotten copies of the book for its participants to use as a 'Common Read' or as its 'Graduation Gift'. A school in Florida sent a group on a service trip to Africa. They got copies of the book for each of the students in the group & matching copies for the students' peers in Africa, and they also had Greg speak with the students, teachers & their parents in advance of the trip. French restauranteur Claudine Mourjan ordered 100 copies of the book to give to staff & clients. Others who have ordered the books for internal or external use include Global Ties U.S., Scotiabank, Toronto Blue Jays, Herman Miller Canada & Cape Town Businesswomens Association. Jamba Juice & other companies supported an edition of The First Thirty Elevator Project in South Africa. At an event in Toronto, The Silhouette Man received the Wisdom Speaks Award from Amica Mature Lifestyles - given to a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors. The First Thirty was NSDLC Multicultural Relations Book of the Year. Click here to read samples of feedback from Global & International sources.
