Global
Greg's work & life have had some meaningful international connections. He has been invited to speak at events in the USA which included attendees from other countries (i.e. 4th 21st Century Academy Forum at Harvard with attendees from 30+ nations) as well as events related to global issues (i.e. Global Fair for teens). He also has spoken at events in other countries (i.e. an 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 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). (Scroll down for next paragraph)
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He has served as Scholar-in-Residence for schools / programs in other countries (i.e. multiple-week residency for a 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 a variety of 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 (as part of a charity event for young professionals), Caribbean (as part of a guest lecture on a cruise) & Africa (a one night exhibit at SAJ Museum). At the 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 wrote a guest column for Business Edge about a trip to Canada that led to the invitation he received to work in Africa. For other publications, he has written profiles about people living in countries like Canada, Italy & South Africa. He has been interviewed about his travels as well - including one with 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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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'. One chapter has also retained Greg on two occasions as Scholar-in-Residence. Other American-based groups that send participants to foreign countries have done similar things (i.e. Students, teachers & parents traveled on a service trip to Africa. They got copies of the book for each of the students, 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. Organizations that work on a global level &/or that are based in other countries that 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. (Scroll down for next paragraph)
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To help bridge divides within communities, Greg has hosted group dinners in different countries including Canada & South Africa. During a trip to Boston, he hosted a dinner that brought people from nearly a dozen nations together. On the personal side, his interest in getting to know people of other cultures and backgrounds was influenced by his experience as a teenager -- when his parents met a student originally from Vietnam & helped him attend college. He stayed with Greg's family at times & he had a positive influence on Greg's interest in getting to know people from other countries. To read a sample of feedback from international-related sources, click here
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