The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson(and expanded version, The Silhouette Man )tell the story of a person's efforts to explore the world around him, leave each place a little better than he found it, and the first thirty lessons learned along the way. The First Thirty was honored as NSDLC 2007 Multicultural Relations Book of the Year. Greg Forbes Siegman is the real-life person upon whom the two books are based.
In February 2009, Greg spent 40 hours in Madison, Wisconsin. During the trip, he delivered two speeches, co-hosted a dinner, attended a charity function and took part in a Milkshake Reception. This part of the site has photos, feedback and links regarding Greg's trip -- as well as links and photos and feedback featuring those involved and some of the memorable people and places he met along the way.
The italicized notes are personal comments from Greg.
IN THE PAST
Greg’s last trip through Madison, Wisconsin was October 2008 when he did a number of speeches, spent a day as a LawSchool student, co-hosted a group dinner, and did his first triathlon.Click here to see pictures and feedback from that trip.
MONDAY AFTERNOON
Greg arrived in Madison during the late afternoon.An hour later, he attended The Big Eat.
The Big Eat is Isthmus Publishing's annual fundraiser for the Family Centers. For much more on The Big Eat, click here
There were all kinds of foods, drinks and desserts available from many of the top restaurants in Madison.
Greg got some food, picked a table and made some new friends.
The books, The First Thirty and The Silhouette Man are based on the true story of Greg’s real-life dream of many years to see the world come together for milkshakes. So, not surprisingly, he could not resist getting up and making his way toward the ice cream booth sponsored by the Chocolate Ice Cream Shoppe...where he watched the Shoppe's representative provide ice cream to attendees.
...but Greg is not a big fan of 'watching'...he prefers 'doing'...so, he asked if he could begin serving the ice cream, too.
(Special thanks to organizers of the event, and the folks at Chocolate Ice Cream Shoppe, for being great sports and letting me be an impromptu honorary ice cream scooper for the evening)
MONDAY NIGHT
Following the
event, Greg had a second dinner…co-hosting a group dinner for 18 complete strangers.
The co-host was a woman who was an attendee at a dinner for 10 complete strangers Greg co-hosted four months earlier.
The attendees at this dinner included law school students and young professionals and educators throughout Madison.
The dinner took place at Nick’s Restaurant on State Street. Great food and great service.Just a short walk from University of Wisconsin’s campus and the city’s Capitol.For more on Nick’s, go to www.NicksRestaurantMadison.com
For Greg, hosting brunches and dinners for complete strangers is a fun tradition that has occurred more than 300 times in cities around the world.For examples, go to www.ShakingUpAmerica.com, click Enter Here
In conjunction with Greg’s arrival in town, the Madison-based Literacy Network ordered copies of The First Thirty.Click here to learn more about the Literacy Network.
TUESDAY MORNING
In
conjunction with Black History Month, Greg was a guest speaker at an event for
teens, jointly sponsored by two schools in the Madison area.
After the speech, the students had a chance to look at his art -- which includes portraits of some notable leaders in Black History. For more, visit www.MySleeplessNights.com
In advance of the event, the schools ordered copies of the books, the companion workbook (A Place To Sit), and the various posters related to Greg's work that are available for purchase.
For more on the posters, go to www.GregForbes.com, click Welcome, click Posters
Greg sat in a law school class as a guest student, at University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School for the second time.
(Thanks to my 'professor' who was a great sport and let me ask questions in class like the real students) :)
TUESDAY NIGHT
Greg was a guest speaker at an event for undergrads at University of Wisconsin-Madison. There was a great turn-out for the event.
He opted to sit on the table instead of stand at the podium. The speech lasted about an hour.
In advance of the visit, MAGNET – a Madison-based organization for young professionals, devoted to being leaders in their community -- ordered a copy of The First Thirty for each student on the Leadership Program’s Leadership Committee. For more on Magnet, click here
Want to order copies of The First Thirty or The Silhouette Man for students in your community – or for your own clients, donors, volunteers or staff members? Email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com
Following the speech, organizers had arranged for a Surprise Milkshake Reception. Hundreds of people joined Greg for shakes at the reception.
For him, the post-event milkshake receptions have become a fun tradition – occurring after events throughout the US, Canada and Africa.
As part of the evening, there was also a book and poster signing.
After the event, Greg headed back to the hotel. On the way, he met a complete stranger and the two decided to go get dinner. They then added a third person to the table...then he added a fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh...complete strangers to the group -- and an impromptu limbo contest at the restaurant -- before all was said and done.
WEDNESDAY MORNING
Greg accepted an invite to meet two of the complete strangers from the night before for breakfast...but once he arrived -- (in my Superman t-shirt, pajamas and barefoot, the way breakfast oughtta be!) -- he decided, since these two people were no longer complete strangers, that it would be more fun if others were added to the table, too. So, he rounded up a bunch of other complete strangers and they all enjoyed a meal.
Shortly thereafter, Greg headed home...to prepare for upcoming events in Florida and Nebraska (Come back to Greg's Week in a few days to see the pictures and feedback from those trips).
WRITING
In advance of the trip, Forte Magazine in Wisconsin had Greg write an article about time management – with tips for its readers (mostly young professionals) about how to maximize the most of your time. The article came out a few days before the trip. Click here to read it.
THE FIRST THIRTY ELEVATOR PROJECT
During the trip, Greg implemented another chapter of The First Thirty Elevator Project. To learn about this Project, how it started, what it has turned into, and how you could be part of it, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com and click Elevator Project.
CROSSING PATHS
As always, his trip was filled with meetings with old friends - some planned, some by chance - and unexpected meetings and adventures with new ones. Here are pictures of some of the memorable people and places who crossed his path during the trip...
Looking for somewhere to shop for University of Wisconsin gear while in Madison? Check out Insignia (on State Street)
SAMPLE OF RIPPLE EFFECTS
One of the UW students who attended the event received a new internship as a result of being there
FEEDBACK
Erika Braunginn, Community Service Co-Chair of MAGNET (Madison Area Growth Network) and Treasurer of the Madison Network of Black Professionals:“Inspiring upcoming leaders by humbly leading is a challenging task. Greg spoke to a group of undergraduate leaders at UW-Madison, which I had the privilege of attending as a guest...The student audience of almost 200 undergraduates was captivated...Greg brought courage and thoughtfulness to a group of intelligent young adults and truly inspired them to take small, yet critical, steps in their daily lives to connect people and expand ideas. Through Greg's recollections and reflections upon his own life's journey, he presents noble ideas and passions in a way that is accessible to everyone, to people of all backgrounds and experiences...
Meghan, University of Wisconsin student: “It was truly inspiring and his message is timeless. I'm very happy I joined the Big 10 Leadership Network this semester so I was able to hear about him coming to Madison. His laid-back presentation and attitude makes his message that much more interesting to listen to. His delivery and style are captivating and it was great to hear his story...."
Maura, University of Wisconsin student: “Thank you so much to Greg for speaking to us tonight! I'm a freshman here at UW Madison and sometimes no matter how involved you get it seems so easy to get lost in such a HUGE school...it really made me think when Greg was talking about the ripple effect and how small decisions can make such big impacts. He's definitely given me something to think about and try and take with me over my next four years as I try to make my place here...and on a day by day basis, like he said, you can never count on being able to do something later!..."
Laura, University of Wisconsin student: “I am a sophomore, so if Greg returns within the next few years, I will be front row center!..."
To order copies of the posters, visit www.GregForbes.com , click Enter Site, click Posters
Special thanks to everyone I met in Madison, and the organizers of the events I was part of, the guests who attended the events and dinner, and the people I met along the way.
