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GREG FORBES SIEGMAN - INTERNATIONAL
BACKGROUND: The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson is based on the true story of Greg Forbes Siegman, his efforts to make a difference, and the first thirty things learned from the people and places he encountered (and setbacks and successes he experienced) along the way. A large part of the book revolves around Greg's exploration of other cultures and backgrounds (and his efforts to bring people together of different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds). Greg is now asked to speak about these topics at schools, nonprofit organizations and other events, including events with international audiences and/or in other countries. In 2007, The First Thirty was honored as Northeast Student Diversity Leadership Conference Multicultural Relations Book of the Year. In 2008, a high school selected The First Thirty as their Readers Choice book for a student/staff/parents trip to Africa
BIO - Greg's Bio
WEBSITES: Greg's website - The First Thirty website - History behind Greg's multicultural mentoring program
BOOK SUMMARY: One page synopsis of The First Thirty
Sample of MEDIA & HONORS:
= At turn of the century, Good Morning America buried a Time Capsule chronicling Greg's efforts to break down racial and cultural barriers, and promote diversity
= USA Today, Lexington Herald-Leader features on Greg's efforts to work with young people on dealing with intolerance for foreigners after 9-11
= Greg's program devoted to breaking down racial and cultural barriers was recognized as one of America's Promising Programs in civil rights
= Greg's efforts to bring people together of different cultures and backgrounds featured on National Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial site
= Other honors include: Jefferson Award for Public Service, America's Daily Point of Light, CBS Tylenol Hometown Hero, honored by Hasbro as one of 30 real-life America heroes, CBS Tylenol Hometown Hero, Simply Family's Heroes of the Year. Honored at Princeton as one of nation's top social entrepreneurs under 40.
= Other media includes: Volunteer Leadership Magazine, La Raza, The Washington Post, CBS, NBC, Education Week, College News, The NonProfit Times, NPR, articles in wide variety of school publications about Greg's events with students geared toward promoting diversity, multiculturalism
= Wrote guest column for Chicago Sun-Times on the impact of labels and stereotypes
EXAMPLE OF RELEVANT SPEECHES & USE OF THE BOOKS:
= Greg and Nobel Peace Prize Honoree Elie Wiesel were invited to be the two speakers at a Day of Tolerance (Greg spoke during the day, Wiesel spoke in the evening).
= Greg named American Scholar-in-Residence for US student program in Africa. Individuals and companies throughout the US and Canada ordered copies of The First Thirty to be given to people in Africa in conjunction with Greg's visit to speak in Africa.
= Greg named Scholar-in-Residence at Confederation College (Canada)
= Spoke at event for Russian immigrants in New York (done with a translator)
= Keynoted series of assemblies for school district in Kentucky post 9-11 on dealing with intolerance
= Greg takes part in Lakehead University Speaker Series in Canada - youngest person ever invited to do so.
= Keynoted Global Fair for high school students in New Hampshire
= Speaks at all-school assembly at Catholic Middle School in Canada
== Green Tourism Association - the environmentally-conscious tourism association in Canada - ordered copies of The First Thirty for staff and served as a Prize Sponsor for an essay contest on community service based on a speech by Greg at an assembly for teens in Canada
= Confederation College (Canada) orders 100 copies of The First Thirty and companion workbook A Place To Sit for groups of students, staff and top supporters
= Scotiabank sponsors essay contest revolving around Greg's story for teens in Canada
= Canada-based Chapter of Rotary Club orders copies of The First Thirty for local teens
= The First Thirty incorporated into Race & Culture courses at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, in conjunction with Americans All and Makes Me Wanna Holler
= A school in Illinois used Greg's story in conjunction with Schindler's List and Night as part of a unit on Diversity. Read excerpts of essays written by students in that course.
= Led student workshop in New Hampshire revolving around labels, stereotypes, multiculturalism
= Delivering a speech on service (in Spanish) in Washington DC.
== Guest lectured Global Social Entrepreneurship Course at Daniels College of Business
SAMPLE OF FEEDBACK FROM GREG'S SPEECHES:
"It was indeed a pleasure and a great honor to meet Greg. The presentation he gave...was a great experience as well as an important lesson... It's true that in our daily life we think we live in a pretty diverse place without knowing the meaning of diversity...Greg's experiences and ideas in fact prove that we are not just born to serve our personal purposes, but we are also here to be engaged in helping others and be with others without keeping the idea of race, culture and language in mind, and always struggle to raise the flag of humanity above every other thing in the world....Beyond any doubt, he has prized us with an imperative guideline and by following it, we can actually remove all the human made boundaries and distances among us, and make this world a better place to live in. Thank you." - Mati, student, Sage College of Albany (NY)
"Greg is the first speaker we ever hosted who was able to transcend both language and cultural barriers to truly connect with the hearts of our residents, cultivating their laughter, understanding and curiosity. In the past, translation has been an issue when hosting various speakers. Many times translation becomes tedious and residents lose interest in the topic, however, his simple telling of a great story diminished the necessary ennui of translation, allowing residents to fully appreciate the candid lessons offered. Many times our residents, limited in their English, were able to comprehend his words almost intuitively,,,." - Nina, B'nai B'rith Parkview Apts (NY), following event for Russian immigrants (done with a translator)
"...Of all the speakers we have had who have tried to address racism and diversity issues, Greg has had the most impact on me personally...I also personally enjoyed listening to his story -- I wouldn't call it a speech because he is a born storyteller...So not only was I learning from what he was saying, but I was also learning from how he was saying it. And he did say it well. He had my undivided attention the entire time. God has gifted him with insight, compassion, humility, a teachable spirit, and he just oozes charisma..." - Kaija, staff member, Confederation College (Canada)
"I wrote an essay about Greg for a course I am taking -- comparing his story and what he's done with Ralph Waldo Emerson's book Experience, and one of Gandhi's philosophies about small actions leading to big things." -- Andrew S, Boston College student
"At the recommendation of a good friend, I purchased The First Thirty...All I can say is.....WOW!!!! Greg is truly an inspiration. Lead on Greg!" - Hannes - Ontario, Canada
"Bishop Gallagher was thrilled to have Greg come to visit our students and speak at an all-school assembly. Most of the classes were well into the book, The First Thirty, and they were thrilled to meet the [main] "character" [from the book]. Greg's message of making a difference in the world outside your window was extremely well received and links into so many of our stewardship and volunteerism lessons and activities within our school...." - Jackie Fredrickson, Administrator, Bishop Gallagher School (Catholic Middle School in Canada)
"Greg was so motivating when we were honoured with his presenatation in November. The staff and students were so inspired...he has inspired our students to write and to make a difference in our community. The book posters are in every classroom and the book "The First Thirty" is being read [school-wide reading]. Isn't literacy and sharing our stories just wonderful. What an impact! As a Catholic School Principal, I was so excited about Greg's work, as we need to all take the time to care and share which is what we are all about!. What hope he gives to all he meets. He is truly charismatic!...students between the ages of 12-14 need his inspiration and role modeling to help them along their journey...." - Alexa McKinnon, Principal- Bishop Gallagher Senior Elementary School, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada
Gina S, student, George Washington University: "...I think it was great Greg came to talk us on a subject [diversity] that is generally taboo or ignored. Most people superficially say that prejudice only occured back [in history] and now things have changed. But it hasn't and I've witnessed after the September 11th attacks when a lot of...I am glad Greg wasn't another one those people who says they're going to talk about a really serious subject in really difficult words....I find it great that he's a 28 year old guy [in 2001] who [cares about] work that may not be lucrative but will change a hell of a lot people... that's priceless..."
"I want to thank Greg for taking the time and getting up early to come out to speak with us. I'm sure he has heard it before, but it really was thought-changing for me. He is definitely an inspiration for me....an incredible event...[my friend] Liz and I have spread the word..." - Chris, student, Albany College of Pharmacy (NY)
FOR MORE FEEDBACK FROM EVENTS, CLICK HERE
SAMPLE OF REVIEWS OF THE FIRST THIRTY:
"An American tale with global relevance, The First Thirty illustrates the ability within each of us to help bridge the divisions that have separated so many for so long." - Peter K, High School student (Kenya)
"A lesson in humanity..." - - Midwest Book Review
Pavla Manakova, Teacher, Czech Republic: "....evidence that the American Dream coming true does work...In some ways, Greg reminds me of Andy Kaufman. He is able and and capable of fulfilling anything that comes to his mind. When something crazy and unrealizable comes to his (Andy's) mind, he says that loud right away and he does anything to achieve it. (e.g. performing in the Carnegie hall). That's exactly like Greg...Reading this book makes me eager to pass these ideas, and generally this message, on to my students. Moreover, it's a gift to pass Greg's experience on to other people, and therefore, address and encourage a wide range of people."
"...A choral ensemble that I am involved in at school has been invited on a stewardship to Africa....Our chairwoman for the trip selected The First Thirty for our reader’s choice book...We were all given copies to read...After reading the story I became so filled with different emotions...Greg’s story was funny, and at times tragic, but always left you with hope that he could make something out of nothing. We all face challenges and struggles in our lives that make us fall down hard, but having someone tell you to forget about it and to use what you have learned really only makes you stronger. The strong connection between Greg’s past and present is what makes the book work....My favorite part of the entire book is that throughout his entire journey although he promises his parents to do one thing or another to achieve their ideal career for him, Greg sacrifices that plan to help someone else and give even more than he already has. This is how I know the book can relate to our stewardship trip. The lessons Greg has learned throughout his first thirty years have relevance to anyone. That what you take out of life is how you can make a difference in someone else’s life. Once this was all established in mind, I thought more of the person described in the book, this could not really be an actual man, and these things could not have actually happened. Yet when I met Greg for the first time...I immediately knew it was him.... I feel absolutely honored that a person as unique and selfless will be coming with us to Africa [as American Scholar in Residence on the trip]. Although I have only just met him, already I have learned from him and will hopefully be able to start sharing this knowledge with whomever I speak. While we are in Africa and I meet many new people I will remember a quote said by [by his Grandma in the book]:“If life was nothing but straight lines, it wouldn’t be worth living” - Madison Rae C, high school student and member, Mosaic Ensemble in advance of group to Africa.
"The author captured the salient points well...the wonderful aspect [of the book] is the community of supporters Greg manages to develop to buy in to his initiatives. He learned many lessons along the way and the contributions and impacts he had on people's lives were important..." - Dr. Fred Gilbert, President, Lakehead University (Canada)
"I started the book, I am reading little by little during my short free time. It is so interesting...the thirty lessons are lessons we all should be aware of and just like Greg had his lists, we should have these lessons in a list so we don't forget about them in our busy lives...sometimes, I don't know what to advise my daughter when it comes to solving emotional situations she is facing with kids at school. The book sure helps to have a bigger view and of course the advice of the Grandma character is always wise. It comes to my mind that I think I should read the book to my daughter, too..." - Maria C, Mexico
"An inspiring reminder that, whether it's the other side of the world, the other side of the country, or just the other side of the tracks, if you end up in a place you never expected to be and dare to explore it, you just may find your passion in the process." - Jeanne-Marie, College student, Louisiana
For more on Greg, go to www.GregForbes.com
For more on the book, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com
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