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Greg Forbes Siegman is the real-life person upon whom The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson is based. In 2007, The First Thirty was honored in New York as NSDLC Multicultural Relations Book of the Year.
In April 2008, Greg went to New York to guest lecture a course at Brooklyn College. This part of the website features photos, feedback and links regarding the speech, the other activities he took part in, the people who were part of them -- and the people and places who unexpectedly crossed his path along the way.
The italicized notes in parentheses are personal comments from Greg. .
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THURSDAY
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On Thursday evening, Greg guest lectured a Race and Ethnicity course at Brooklyn College. Greg and the students discussed the definition of diversity and its applications to real-life, practical situations.
Those involved in colleges and universities, click Here
Those interested in Diversity and Multiculturalism, click Here
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"Personally I was impressed on how well my students were willing to participate. They were super attentive and curious about what a man like Greg - (a white man from the Midwest talking with an audience almost entirely of African American and Latino students in New York) - would have to say about diversity. The part I liked the most was how he allowed my students to conjure up a definition of diversity instead of simply writing the meaning on the blackboard. He was able to blend their thoughts and comments appropriately with his lecture. It was a true pleasure working with him. I could tell when talking to my students [afterwards] that he has truly made an impact in their lives..." - Best regards, Sandra Ordonez, Adjunct Lecturer, Brooklyn College Sociology Department
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Following the class, students had a chance to look at part of Greg's art collection. The collection, called My Sleepless Nights, features portraits of diverse historical, contemporary and cinematic figures who inspire people to think, to act, to give, to serve and/or to lead. For more on the art, please visit www.MySleeplessNights.com
"Greg's speech was great last night and I really enjoyed it. I liked how he made his speech more of an interactive discussion than just a speech like I'm used to hearing as a student. When speakers let others get involved, I'm able to pay much more attention that way and don't get bored like I'm listening to a lecture....also...I want to say how amazing his sketches are! I was in awe. I like to draw too and wish that I could be that good!" -- Michelle, student, Brooklyn College
"Thanks to Greg for coming in and speaking to us in regards to DIVERSITY....I am easily distracted especially if I am in a boring situation. Greg actually kept my attention for more than an hour....I was very intrigued by Greg's interest in the topic and the constant interaction with the class....." - Chris, student, Brooklyn College
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During this visit to New York, Greg stayed at Holiday Inn Express near Madison Square Garden.
A HIGHLY recommended hotel - a perfect location in the heart of NYC, with a great staff, rooms, service -- and an amazing complimentary breakfast spread in the morning for guests to enjoy.
Those who work at hotels, click Here
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A classic case of connecting dots....in getting to know members of the staff at the hotel...it turns out...one of the women who works there...more than 25 years ago, I had lunch with her godfather. We couldn't figure out what was more fun - the connection between us...or the fact that we figured it out during our conversation.
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FRIDAY
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On Friday morning, Greg got a 'behind the scenes' visit at Good Morning America. He appeared on the show in the past, but it was done long-distance. So, this was a chance for him to see how the show is put together in person.
Journalists with media inquiries - email Media@IdeaListEnterprises.com
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In advance of Greg's trip to speak in Africa later this year, he spent part of Friday afternoon sitting in Central Park and reading the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. To see how you can be involved in Greg's trip to Africa, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com , click Africa
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On Friday evening, Greg hosted an event for 20 people who did not know each other.
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These gatherings (Dinner with Friends, except nobody knows each ohter) have become a frequent tradition when Greg visits a town for a speech. They started several years ago - cohosted by his friend, Sanda.
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In this instance, the group met up at a placed called Social. After a couple hours, part of the group headed over to Thalia for dinner.
For those who work at restaurants and/or in the F&B industry, click Here.
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THE FIRST THIRTY ELEVATOR PROJECT
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During this trip, Greg gave away several special copies of The First Thirty as part of the ongoing "The First Thirty Elevator Project." On this trip, one recipient was a woman who drove the bus that took Greg to the subway en route to the plane ride to New York. Another was the extremely nice woman who worked at the front desk of the Holiday Inn Express
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To learn more about The First Thirty Elevator Project, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com. and click Elevator Project
We'd love to have you sponsor a copy or copies as part of the Project! If you'd like to be part of it, email us at Feedback@TheFirstThirty.com
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CROSSING PATHS
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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...
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A classic case of paths crossing...I'm reading a book about Africa in advance of my trip to speak there in June. The passenger sitting next to me....returning from Africa with the baby he and his wife just adopted there.
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....gotta love this sign....
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RIPPLE EFFECTS
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-- Following Greg's visit to Brooklyn, Washington Mutual ordered 25 copies of The First Thirty for students who were part of the class Greg lectured at Brooklyn College. Thanks, WaMu!
"I informed my students of Washington Mutual's generous offer and they were super excited. .." - Professor Ordonez, Brooklyn College
If you or your bank or company want to order copies of The First Thirty for students in your community (or your own staff), email us at Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com
OTHER RIPPLE EFFECTS
- One of the attendees at the Dinner with Friends (except nobody knows each other) is a reporter for a well-known newspaper. Another is a grad student studying journalism. The former agreed to meet up with the latter so he could lean more about the career.
- The server at Thalia was moving in the near future to the West Coast -- to the very same city as someone else Greg met up with in New York. The two were put in touch by email.
- One of the students at Brooklyn College is looking to do a project involving the subways and promoting a 'greener' way of life. He was put in touch with two of the dinner attendees with an interest in the project.
- At the airport, Greg met a student who was on her way home from visiting a college she might be attending in the fall. He happens to know a current student there - so he connected them via email TO BE CONTINUED
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