Taylor Bembery
Blue & White / Variety Editor
Students dressed for success started their Saturday early at the Emerging Leaders Leadership Summit on March 23 in the Student Center at Jackson State University.
The summit opened with a welcome from Ty Howard, a.k.a “Mr. Untie the Knots”, an internationally respected authority on self-development and business-development. For the past 17 years, Howard as the Founder, Chairman and CEO of InspiraGen Institute, LLC, has built and grown a successful professional and personal development fi rm in Baltimore County, Md.
Howard’s speech to the students was all about them excelling in leadership. He said in order to excel in leadership you have to have a vision.
“When it comes to leadership, you have to listen not just hear, observe not just see, write and don’t just scribble,” said Howard.
After Howards speech, he welcomed his two colleagues, Kenny Bey and Sylvia Baffour. Students were then divided into two groups to attend each speaker’s session.
Kenny Bey, a certified instructor for Dale Carnegie, discussed S.W.A.G., is an acronym for Style, Work Ethic, Attitude,
and Grace, which is what he said it takes to be an effi cient leader.
Bey had students do a S.W.A.G. assessment to see if their leadership swagger was in check. His exercises and message woke students up and made them think.
“Think about your style, work ethic, and have the right mental attitude, and do it with grace; then you will be able to say, “I’m swaggerific’,” said Bey.
Sylvia Baffour, an author, life coach, seemed to have an appeal that transcends barriers of age, culture and gender.
Baffour’s session was about The Voice of Leadership: How leaders inspire, influence, resolve conflict and achieve results. Baffour’s three effective ways to shape a unique voice as a leader is to maintain the right mindset and tone, be dedicated and dependable, and lead without devaluation and intimidation.
“Elevating, uplifting and empowering, instead of devaluing a person is the main key to becoming a great leader,” said Baffour.
After the two concurrent sessions, students were able to interact with the keynote speaker Susan L. Taylor, Editor Emeritus of Essence Magazine and Founder of the National Cares Mentoring Movement, as she went to each table to talk to students.
For nearly three decades, as the force behind one of the most celebrated Black-owned businesses of our time, Taylor has become a legend in the magazine business. She is an avid supporter of a host of organizations dedicated to moving the Black community forward, but her passion and focus today is the National Cares Mentoring Movement which was founded in 2006.
Taylor recognized JSU for having unique leadership and expertise that she has not witnessed at other schools. She urged students to have gratitude, live healthy lives and to use education as a tool to uplift self, our families, and communities.
“We have to culture ourselves and our people. When we talk about leadership, it requires humility. Being humble enough to just get up and walk around and help your community. What you give is what you get,” said Taylor
Dexter Nix, a junior accounting major from Moss Point, Miss., believes that it is important for the young generation to step up and become leaders.
“It’s important for the young generation to know what leadership is so they can know the proper course of leadership and be able to posses the qualities that leaders have in order to be a leader in society,” said Nix.
The summit and Taylor’s visit was sponsored by the JSU Center for Student Engagement and Inclusion. Approximately 200 students attended the event.
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