MLK, CBC & ME

Martin Luther King would be proud! Today is his official holiday; tonight is the CNN Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Institute Democratic Presidential Debate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The first of it’s kind!

The debate features John Edwards, Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama. A southerner, a woman and an African American citizen of the world.

Wow!

As a “closet southerner” originally from Virginia*, I take great pride in tonight’s debate and our country’s current political discussion. Born in 1959, smack dab in the middle of the civil rights movement, I was young, but still remember my parents somber mood when MLK was shot in 1968 and vividly remember the flickering images from on our black and white TV. (Yes friends, TV had a colorless infancy phase.)

While times were tough, MLK brought an air of possibility, of opportunity. He was in Memphis to assist striking sanitation workers. When he collapsed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, everyone felt the pain. However, his service, commitment and sacrifice encouraged others to step up their game and do their part to effect change.

As they say, you can talk about it or be about it!

MLK had big vision. Union leaders trusted him. His leadership in the 1955-56 Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott led to desegregation of public transport throughout the US. Think about it. Imaging riding in the “black” or “white” car today on Amtrak; it’s nearly unfathomable if you’re under 40. People in their 60’s and 70’s—they remember.

I compare my humble life and work experiences to those of my parents. While our attitudes are drastically different, they believed in me without reservation, encouraged me to believe in myself (so important) and instilled a strong work ethic, which I’ve tried to pass on to my son. I’m very thankful for a solid foundation.

But then, they come from great southern stock—just like MLK. My maternal grandparents were entrepreneurs; my fraternal grandparents received advanced degrees in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

One of my great grandfathers was born a slave in Virginia. Yet, that “label” didn’t stop him from attaining a law degree from Cornell University. My grandmother was among one of the first black female attorneys in Virginia; which encouraged my father to get a law degree. Now, in their tradition, my son is thinking about law school.

They forged their own “movement,” each doing their part to effect lasting change.

The CBC

Fast forward. Howard University, 1977-1981. As a journalism major/public relations minor, we were required to work in the CBC press room during the annual legislative weekend each September. We observed. We learned. We earned our stripes under the tutelage of Ofield Dukes, a CBC founder. Ofield was one of my professors and the elder statesman of ethnic PR professionals; he remains a friend and ally to this day.

Upon commenting to another professor, Samuel Yette, that I saw, let’s say “issues” behind the scenes in the first CBC press room, re: organization and communication flow (what naiveté), he calmly said, “Well, Ms. Scott, make it a point to change things.”

So, that’s what I’ve done! If you believe it can happen, it will—success and achievement have a way of sneaking up on you when you maintain focus and keep your eyes on the prize.

Professor Yette was another of my favorites, a distinguished scholar who encouraged us to think and take part in the exciting opportunities Washington DC has to offer: observe Congress in action; take a stand; let your voice be heard; join professional associations to give your voice volume.

Sometimes we’re enamored by words like Congress, CBC, President, Boss, CEO, and Professor. Guess what? They’re just synonyms for hard working people, winning and losing battles each day.

Many battles have been forged on the backs of those who labored in the civil rights movement. It’s important we don’t forget. It’s also smart to keep up with the times and contemporize your thinking, instead of compartmentalizing views based on the past.

I’ve been exposed to core beliefs and received numerous benefits of the civil rights movement, including: integrated schools, Madison Avenue career, the opportunity to hang among the best and the brightest in the “grit and grandeur” of NYC as a business owner.

Juanita and Jane

My mother, Juanita, put “the movement” in perspective a few years ago when I relayed how a business associate, Jane (not her real name), the receptionist at a Fortune 500 company retired to Arizona after 30 years. From my calculations, she retired a millionaire.

Jane was a wonderful woman from Queens, who explained that in her day; people from her neighborhood finished high school and immediately went to work. College was not an option; she had to pull your own weight. We’d become friendly over the years as I stopped by her company on client business. Her nephews and my son played hockey; we were both staunch fans of the company’s chairman.

Conversely, my mother, with her business degree, said, “I wouldn’t have been able to interview for that position.” Juanita was fortunate to work for African American institutions and companies throughout the years.

One woman is black, the other white. It made a difference 30 years ago, but today’s society is more “zebra like”, a la the classic movie poster of intertwined black/white hands in Spike Lee’s classic “Jungle Fever.”

Working together

My generation’s success was fueled by MLK and countless comrades who struggled for equality. This fostered an attitude that all people are created equal. For my media peers, I see our collective success when mainstream shops create advertising for African American, Latino, Asian and Native American audiences, work once relegated to specialty, niche or ethnic shops. This means the boardroom discussions and ethnic campaigns created over the past decades have made an impact. Still much room for improvement, but there’s been “movement.”

The optimum approach is a fully integrated marketing communications (IMC) plan (or agency) that addresses Americans as a group. A lofty goal, but as media specialists, many are striving to make this possible.

Just last evening, I was approached by a long-time colleague in need of an ethnic pitch specialist. We candidly discussed personality type and skill set to best suit his assignment; I sourced a few leads.

One thing’s for sure; trust and camaraderie build over time, it doesn’t just happen. Folks have to develop a “comfort level” as they say, and there’s nothing wrong with that. On the flip side, it’s reciprocal. I for one must have a “comfort level” with the people I work with or refer, because I tremendously value my time, expertise and resources, and those in my circle of connections. I certainly don’t want to hook up the wrong people. In business, and in life, reputation is everything!

You have to be honest; have integrity. True pros understand the nuances of communication, respond to psychological cues and understand that often, everyone wins when a diverse account team is in front of a client. Agencies looks smart; clients get better service. Everyone learns—and everyone earns. If you can’t do both, then what’s the point?

The future

As professors, my City College of New York colleague Nancy Tag and I strive for this balance in our AD/PR workshop—as we train the next generation of communications professionals. The communications industry is improving, but we must continue to chip away at issues of inclusion on all levels in order to reach “the mountaintop.”

The generational discourse is quite interesting. Young Americans of all races encourage society to break their shackles; avoid being brainwashed by the past and embrace independent thinking. Flashback: it’s the 60’s, revisited. Believe the world can change, and it does!

I found this fascinating two years ago while leading a discussion during a New York University business writing class. When asked to describe the C-suite (chief executive types) nearly half the group said this person was probably male, but could be of any race; both men and women were included in the mix. People who thought this way were on average, under 30. How refreshing!

Based on my perspective, experiences and world view, I usually think of an Anglo male in this position, because that’s the way it’s always been. But times are changing!

Today, that powerhouse American CEO could easily be an Asian male headquarted in the Far East, especially based on how the rest of the world is investing in US companies. Yes, that’s also refreshing, because it’s a global society.

On the political front, MLK and the civil rights movement strongly resonates to this day because each achievement brings everyone one step closer to a truly equal American society, one that can regain a competitive stance in today’s global society.

Learning from the past

WEB Du Bois first uttered it at the beginning of the last century: “The problem of the 20th Century is the problem of the color line.” Instead of talking about it, he put ideas into action and created the multicultural NAACP, parting ways with those who held a “no whites allowed” point of view. Ironically, Du Bois died one day before MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963.

MLK took up the mantle for a good part of his 39 years; the CBC is still doing their part. Now it’s our turn. In order for real change to occur, it takes ongoing motivation, determination and “the movement” of many united in a single direction.

Let go of the past. Reset your thinking. Challenge yourself.

This year, I’ll be 10 years older than MLK was when he died. Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto was six years older than my 49 years me when an assassin’s bullet snuffed out her life. Often I use illustrious “global examples” in an attempt to attain 5% of their contributions during my lifetime.

Keeps me motivated; keeps me moving in the right direction; keeps me asking …

Who can I inspire?

Which movement can I lend time to?

What new movement should I start?

Fresh perspectives engage audiences and allow people to realize their true potential. Old thinking is just plain lazy and tired. Complacency breeds inactivity.

That’s why this CNN-CBC debate and an elevated discussion of issues—on Martin Luther King Day no less—is vital. Let’s hope this becomes an event we can look forward to during each race for the White House!

MLK and his wife Coretta Scott King are proudly smiling on South Carolina tonight from above.

Let us all reflect on movements, individual and collective leadership and the knowledge the dark past has taught us as we analyze the content and responses during tonight’s historic debate.

*Born in the south, I fervently claim my rightful position as a Yankee, since I’ve been a NYC resident for 25+ years. There’s a wonderful “can do” attitude about the north. While there are pockets of southern “awakening,” there’s still a “sleepy” air about the region, in my view. Of course, I respect all locales. That’s the beauty of this country, MLK and countless others died so we’re free to live where we choose.