Welcome Message from Michael W. Quigley, Ph.D BMLDI Co-Director
Congratulations on your acceptance into the 2014 cohort of the BMLDI! By seeking to become a part of the BMLDI family, you have taken an important step in a positive direction for your future. It is my distinct pleasure to serve as the interim director of the BMLDI for 2014. With the passing of our beloved Dr. Rex Crawley and the transition of co-director, Ms. Sabrina Saunders, I was honored when asked by Robert Morris University to take on the directorship of this amazing program. I am excited about the future for the BMLDI and I trust that each of you will grow tremendously from this leadership experience. As in years past, we have worked tirelessly and spared no expense to ensure that you are exposed to the best there is to offer in the Greater Pittsburgh area and beyond, for your development as a leader. We are staffed by caring adults and faculty members who walk what they talk and are committed to your development as a leader. Your experience during our summer 7-day residential Summit in June, as well as our Saturday Institutes throughout the year will surely be powerful, transformative, and fun! Just think about it, in June you will have the opportunity to spend quality time with leaders from all around the city. You will have the opportunity to meet other young leaders that are in the same stage of development as you. Most importantly you will have the opportunity to develop into the kind of leader that can affect positive change in your family, school, and community.
BMLDI is an EXPERIENCE and you will only get from it what you put into it. This year we challenge you to give as much as you can and likewise get as much as you can. Take full advantage of the opportunity to network with the BMLDI faculty session leaders and keynote speakers, make sure you ask for business cards and contact information from each of the speakers and leaders you come in contact with. Develop friendships with your fellow BMLDI’ers during the Summit, friendships that will last throughout the year and possibly a lifetime. Challenge yourself to meet new people, learn about them and teach them about you. Step out of your comfort zone. Make this EXPERIENCE work for you!
Here is some advice from our Beloved Dr. Crawley for success in the BMLDI summit and year-round program:
“The problem of education, then, among Negroes must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth… The Talented Tenth of the Negro race must be made leaders of thought and missionaries of culture among their people. No others can do this work... The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men.”
Congratulations on your selection!
Dr. Michael W. Quigley, Ph.D.
Interim Director, BMLDI
BMLDI is an EXPERIENCE and you will only get from it what you put into it. This year we challenge you to give as much as you can and likewise get as much as you can. Take full advantage of the opportunity to network with the BMLDI faculty session leaders and keynote speakers, make sure you ask for business cards and contact information from each of the speakers and leaders you come in contact with. Develop friendships with your fellow BMLDI’ers during the Summit, friendships that will last throughout the year and possibly a lifetime. Challenge yourself to meet new people, learn about them and teach them about you. Step out of your comfort zone. Make this EXPERIENCE work for you!
Here is some advice from our Beloved Dr. Crawley for success in the BMLDI summit and year-round program:
- Take notes and reflect on everything you hear.
- Think critically and interact aggressively, don’t be a shrinking violet!
- Model excellent behavior in all you do, THIS IS EXPECTED AT ALL TIMES!
- Never miss a session or be late for one. If you’re on time, you are late. Be early!
- Spend as much time as you can interacting with people you do not know.
- Get plenty of rest and pace yourself, you are in this for the long haul.
- HAVE FUN!!!!!!!
- Integrity: a person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. Be yourself!
- Dedication: means spending whatever time or energy is necessary to accomplish the task at hand.
- Openness: be able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. Openness builds mutual respect.
- Creativity: think differently and outside of the box. (There are no dumb questions!)
- Fairness: deal with others consistently and justly. Check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment.
- Lastly, A sense of humor: there is a time and a place for humor. Bring your smile and don’t take things too personal (Don’t sweat the small stuff!)
“The problem of education, then, among Negroes must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth… The Talented Tenth of the Negro race must be made leaders of thought and missionaries of culture among their people. No others can do this work... The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men.”
Congratulations on your selection!
Dr. Michael W. Quigley, Ph.D.
Interim Director, BMLDI
