On their shoulders: Standing on the legacy of diversity giants
To me, having a room full of talented editors and reporters who can connect with our readers—and who reflect this wonderful tapestry we call America—is far greater than winning journalism’s highest prize.
Acceptance speech, delivered 9/13/16 at the APME/ASNE convention in Philadelphia for the Robert G. McGruder Award for Diversity Leadership. (Photos by Andrew Oppenheimer and Alesha Williams Boyd.)
THANK YOU, Karen Magnuson, for that wonderful introduction. I’m humbled by your kind words. Let me also thank APME and ASNE for giving me this award.
I’m truly honored.
But before I get too deeply into this I want to acknowledge a few people who have been instrumental in this life-long passion.
First and foremost is my wife Gail, who has been my rock, my editor and my 24-hour Kinko’s – whose support is always delivered with a smile. As many can attest, she is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.
No joke. Gail could find nice things to say about Satan. “Well, I know he’s red and all. But, honey, if he just sawed off those horns, he’d be all right.”
Nooo, Gail! He’s Satan! He hates people.
Annette McGruder (l) continues to promote the legacy of her late husband by supporting diversity efforts throughout the industry. Karen Magnuson, who leads the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (r), works diligently to include new voices and talent in her news operation.
Karen Magnuson has been a friend and a advocate as well. She encouraged me to join APME.
She has been a true proponent of diversity, winning this award twice—once individually and once for her newsroom. Karen is diversity warrior who understands the challenge and cherishes the fight. She’s my work wife, without the benefits.
Then there is Phil Currie, a former Gannett VP News. We spent time together Saturday night at the APME Regents dinner.
What was so remarkable about Phil? He was a part of the leadership team that helped establish Gannett’s legacy as leaders of diversity.
Phil is a role model for me.
During his tenure, diversity was not about hiring a bunch of minorities then abandoning them to dead-end jobs—his commitment to diversity permeated every facet of the company.
While he was at the helm, we saw Blacks, Latinos and women rise to become top editors and publishers.
For Phil, diversity meant more than saying he hired minorities. It was about making sure they were a part of the decision-making process as well.
At company functions, he seated up-and-coming talent next to key leaders. And there was never a meeting without a substantial number of women and minorities in the room.
His commitment was about inclusion.
Finally, and most importantly, there is Bob McGruder.
I never got to meet Bob.
But through APME, I’ve gotten to know his wife, Annette. Bob also was a role model with an unflinching commitment to diversity.
He cared deeply about not only hiring people of color, but ensuring that they also had a seat at the table.
He kept digging when others threw up their hands in defeat.
He must have faced enormous pressure to simply let this diversity thing go. ‘This change will happen over time,’ he must have heard.
Like Bob, I won’t let this diversity thing go, either.
“We live in a time where there is no shortage of challenges or controversies. And that means we have plenty of opportunities to take a stand—to push for inclusion and to champion diversity from every angle.”
In my 25-plus years of pursuing this passion, I’ve wanted to be more than just a good editor. I wanted to win with the whole team, not just with a select few.
To me, having a room full of talented editors and reporters who can connect with our readers—and who reflect this wonderful tapestry we call America—is far greater than winning journalism’s highest prize.
I’m proud of this work, the team and the people who make it all possible each day.
But we all know, there is much more work to be done.
I want my legacy to be, like Gail—to be known as a kind person who sees the good in everyone.
And like Karen, I want to it written that I am a warrior for diversity. And like Phil, I want to be known as a man who cares not only about diversity, but true inclusion.
And then there is Bob, a giant among men, whose legacy encourages me to stay the course, to never give up.
When we venture to this conference next year, what story will we tell?
Look around the room. Gathered right here, right now — are many powerful, influential decision makers who can be champions of diversity.
The commitment starts at the top. But it does not end there.
Bob McGruder/Photo via Kent State University
“Bob McGruder cared deeply about not only hiring people of color, but ensuring that they also had a seat at the table. He kept digging when others threw up their hands in defeat.”
Inclusion is the yardstick by which our commitment to diversity should be measured.
“Dr. King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
We live in a time where there is no shortage of challenges or controversies. And that means we have plenty of opportunities to take a stand—to push for inclusion and to champion diversity from every angle.
I accept this award humbly, appreciative that the biggest giant - upon whose shoulders I stand and gracefully accept this award – has given me the height, the vision and the clarity of purpose to keep fighting the good fight, knowing that I, nor anyone else, can declare victory, until victory is won.
Thank you.
HRT