2021 GlobalMindED
The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Meet Merritt, McKenzie, a senior healthcare executive who is committed to helping the next generation of leaders get promoted, achieve management positions, reach the C-suite, and achieve their life goals. Merritt took his leadership to the next level by continuing his education, working hard, influencing others, and being blessed by sponsors who see his potential. Like all the people we feature daily, Merritt is an inspiring role model for young students who can see themselves in who they want to become. Start your day with his story!
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An Immigrant’s Story
When Merritt McKenzie’s parents emigrated from Jamaica to the United States, he witnessed firsthand the challenges that they faced. At the same time, he saw the kind of hard work they put in, despite their impoverished circumstances. Those humble beginnings laid the foundation and blueprint for his future career path. He learned early on that nothing would be handed to him. He would have to work hard to get what he needed and create a different and better life for himself.
His mother, whom he lost at the age of 14, instilled in him the importance of how to connect and build great relationships with others. His father, a security guard who often worked triple shifts, also instilled in him that he had to get an education to do well in this country because that is the one thing that no one can ever take away from him. Despite being raised in a single parent home, he benefitted from their collective guidance and high work ethic. Coupled with his internal drive, this ultimately led to him being the first in his family to obtain a college degree.
When the time came for Merritt to go to college, he crossed the street to the local university in Springfield, MA and spoke to the counselor there. He listed the three subjects in which he excelled: anatomy, physiology, and psychology. The counselor told him about occupational therapy, a career he had never heard of before. In those pre-internet times, Merritt went to the library, looked up the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and discovered that the occupation was projected to grow at least 25% over the next 20+ years. And that is how he learned about what would become his profession.
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The Educational Journey
Merritt started his college education at two community colleges, where he prepared for the rigor of university life. After two years, he transitioned to the university level to pursue his Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. He sat in the library for hours not only to study, but also to apply for every scholarship known to man. Thanks to generous scholarships and special programs for minorities, as well as several work-study jobs, Merritt was able to graduate from Florida International University (FIU) without incurring any debt.
He was already thinking about his next move: to become a leader. Within three years, he had started and ultimately attained his Master’s in Health Services Administration, also from FIU.
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From Frontline Clinician to Executive
Since then, Merritt’s career advanced from frontline clinician to running operations of multisite healthcare organizations, spanning all the way to division president of a $100 million pediatric therapy and autism care business unit.
His long-term goals include becoming a CEO of a healthcare organization, as well as a board director of both a private company and a nonprofit that supports educational and career guidance for underrepresented BIPOC groups.
He has prepared for this by taking multiple executive educational courses at Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia, just to name a few. In addition, he has started working on a Master of Science degree in Finance and plans to ultimately obtain his doctorate – what he sees as the highest fulfillment of what his father taught him about education.
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Lessons Learned
Looking over his impressive and varied career, Merritt cannot help but think of the missed opportunities. This does not take away from the pride he has in his career path and accomplishments, thus far. Merritt hopes to share his life experiences and learning through this process with other BIPOC, by advising and assisting them in their educational and career journey. A lot of young minority boys and girls are not getting the career and education guidance they need. They are also not given the vision of what is possible to achieve or see their fullest potential. Merritt believes that the right guidance, sponsorship, and mentorship sets the foundation for underrepresented groups to leapfrog their careers and financial security.
The next opportunity that needs to take place in the Black community is to give young boys and girls a network for wealth creation. Put them in touch with folks who can influence their lives, find sponsors to help guide their paths, and recommend them for opportunities and roles.
Merritt is passionate about giving back in that regard and helping the next tier of aspiring, new, and mid-career leaders. In addition, he tries to bring members of diverse groups into leadership roles and encourages them to do the same. He intends to continue developing and helping leaders.
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Your Network Is Your Net Worth!
Merritt’s advice for anyone entering the workforce is to build your network relentlessly – surround yourself with people who are stronger, smarter, and nimbler than you, and make sure you follow up consistently to meet with them on a regular basis. Remain curious and ask them a lot of questions. If it is within your reach, go to HBCUs and Ivy League schools. Learn about basic personal financial management and investing, as well as stocks, mutual funds, and bonds, as early as you can.
Merritt also advocates for young Black men and women to find a life partner who compliments them and adds value to the relationship. Look for a life partner who, overall, makes you a better person because they are a part of your life story. That will allow you to build a nurturing family together and support each other’s personal and professional goals. He attributes his own success to his wife, without whom he could not have achieved his many accomplishments.
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You Are Who You’re Meant to Be
God made you exactly the way He wants you to be, so lean into Him – lean in harder than you think you should – and do not be afraid.
Imposter syndrome starts early in the Black community. There is the sense that we are not good enough, or that we are not worthy. We need to combat this! Own it, step into it, as well as embrace and realize that these thoughts are completely false. Instead, realize that you are exactly who you are meant to be, and do not let your circumstances define you or your future. Take as many calculated risks as you can. Trust in God, do the hard work, and your blessings will bloom!
Now, living in Atlanta with his wife and three children, Merritt’s goals all come down to this: to successfully and consistently provide for his family; to instill a hard work ethic in his children; and to create generational wealth. He wants to show them that hard work not only provides – it pays off, too!
Just like his parents taught him.
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If you are an aspiring, new, or mid-career leader in the BIPOC community and interested in connecting with Merritt, please message him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrittmckenzie/. His door is open and he is eager to help in any way he can along your personal and professional journey.
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Click below to watch the Inclusive Leader Award Ceremony featuring inspirational messages from the diverse Award Winners
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GlobalMindED and the SDG Impact Fund are delighted to announce GlobalMindED's Donor Advised Fund. 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Women's Declaration and Action Platform. Many from around the world are thinking of 2020 as the gateway to our most vital decade for delivering equity, the Sustainable Development Goals, and a world where all can thrive. Our key time for these outcomes is 2020-2030.
GlobalMindED DAF and the SDG Impact Fund are a powerful combined force for good as the 2019 year comes to a close and we reflect on the gratitude and the commitments we make to the causes we care most about. The DAF offers immense power and flexibility for giving prior to the year's end as you plant seeds of generous intention for 2020 and the decade ahead.
When you contribute to GlobalMindED, you support First Gen students. We have served more than 400 students by connecting them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. Your generous support will allow us to take our work 10x and reach these talented students at scale who lack the resources and support we provide. Your support also helps teachers who can't afford the conference fees, faculty at colleges which are under resourced and students who persist at those universities despite food insecurity and/or housing insecurity.
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Links to read about Inclusive Leaders, many of whom are African American and people of color:
Curated sessions from GlobalMindED 2020 YouTube channel:
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From the Center for Positive Organizations:
From the Economist:
From Forbes:
From Harvard Business Review:
From the World Academy of Art & Science and UN; Geneva Global Leadership in the 21st Century econference:
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Listen here for an interview with Pam Newkirk, GlobalMindED speaker and author of Diversity Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion- Dollar Business.
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Meet GlobalMindED Founder, Carol Carter as interviewed by Tim Moore on his podcast Success Made to Last: From Success to Significance
Listen to Part 1 of Carol's interview
Listen to Part 2 of Carol's interview
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Recent GlobalMindED Newsletter Profiles:
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Since 2006 when the flagship TGR Learning Lab opened its doors in Anaheim, CA, TGR Foundation has had a lot to celebrate, including its most recent milestone of one million students impacted by TGR EDU: Explore, alone.
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore is a free digital resource library that offers interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and tools for educators, students and families to explore new disciplines and gain skills for a modern and expanding workforce.
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As you start the New Year, are you looking for ways to re-engineer your classroom culture? Check out Designing the Future: How Engineering Builds Creative Critical Thinking in the Classroom. The associated website has lots of activities, projects, and resources you can implement immediately. Our fall workshops using the book as a roadmap for change have been highly successful. Start designing the future today - try using the customized Study Guide for a book study in your PLC. Or contact ProjectEngin or Solution Tree to learn how you can bring professional development based on Ann's book to your school, district, or conference.
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THE FLYOVER NATION
Energy's Role in a Troubled Heartland
By J.C. Whorton
A unique and timely discussion of the challenging issues facing the country’s troubled Heartland.
Since the beginning of westward expansion into the Heartland’s vast regions, natural resource development has played a historic role in shaping its communities. Today, domestic oil and gas development offers one of the strongest prospects for the Heartland’s present and future prosperity as well as the nation’s re-emergence as a dominant player in the global energy economy.
The U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, two circumstances that are universally disrupting international geopolitical order. The earth has a finite supply of natural resources and a rapidly growing and over consuming population.
As America positions itself for a very uncertain and constantly evolving global marketplace, will the Heartland become America’s “great connector” or “great divide”?
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J.C. Whorton is a senior level energy and financial professional with over forty years of essential experience. Having a ranching and Native American heritage, Mr. Whorton is a strong advocate for rural education and economic development initiatives.
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