amazing mr harris

The Amazing Mr. Harris

What an amazing experience at the Project GRAD dinner Wednesday

evening -- thanks in large measure to a Buchtel alum sharing a most

basic story of how his journey really began.

Leon Harris went from Akron kid to Ohio University grad to CNN intern

to CNN producer to CNN anchor and now sits in the big chair anchoring

for WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. Heck of a ride for a local kid, but

his homecoming talk centered on what he emotionally described as the

pivotal moment in determining just who he really is.

It came, he told a riveted audience of 325+, while on assignment in

Africa -- an assignment he really didn't want. With free time before a

flight out of Dakar, Senegal he visited Goree Island (this Wikipedia

entry doesn't do justice to the description Harris provided), the

final stop for cargo (human and otherwise) bound for the Americas.

Unseen hands held on to him, he recounted, forcing an epiphany of the

heart and soul. It clearly drives who Leon Harris is today, and where

he wants to be.

His message was powerful and clear: the miracles, he called it, of

directing his DNA to this very spot and time, miracles we all share in

many ways but take for granted. Unseen hands pushing and pulling us to

places and roles we can choose to play in leading others.

What gave Leon Harris even more impact was the extended family sharing

this First Annual Achieving Dreams Celebration, honoring the teachers

such as Erie Island Principal Johnnette Snowden Curry; the parents

such as Russel Neal, Jr; the volunteers such as Susan Vogelsang and

James Toles and the big names who gave of their time and passion such

as Akron Superintendent Sylvester Small, University President Luis

Proenza, Council President Marco Sommerville, Judge Brenda Burnham

Unruh, Deputy Mayor Billy Soule -- role models in their own rights for

making their own dreams reality.

By the way -- best line of the night went to Small, who noted he was

always nervous in the spotlight because he felt it wasn't right to be

recognized for doing what God intended us to be doing all along.

This wasn't your typical non-profit dinner; I wasn't alone among the

crowd perched on the edge of our seats sharing the moments and the

motivations to take what we heard to heart. I expected a nice speech

from Leon but not the real and deep emotion of his personal testimony

on what life can bring us and the ultimate responsibility we hold in

helping others make their dreams come true.

Leon Harris gives generously to Project GRAD, helping extend 50

scholarships to 100 and even signing over his usual speaking fee

entirely to Buchtel High -- that's $5,000 for those of you keeping

score.

Lessons from the heart combined with putting his money where his mouth

is: that's a great example for anyone stepping up and taking

responsibility for the world around him.