Press Release
♦ Greensboro, NC – Dr. Ada M. Fisher, NC Republican National Committeewoman, was invited by students Mr. Dominick Hand, Historian and Mr. Lawrence Jamail Watkins of Salisbury, NC to meet with the organization GYM—Growing Young Men at her alma mater the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. To a full audience of over 60 Black male UNCG undergraduates (of whom six were from her hometown of Salisbury), Dr. Fisher spoke on the theme “The Butterfly Effect” tying in her experiences while a student at the university to positions and opportunities she has had in life. In her own understated humor, she shared her glee at being part of the university’s success in attracting young Blacks and moving them forward in their educational undertakings. With pride she pointed to UNCGs highest graduation rate of Blacks in the nation and percentage of Blacks equal to the state’s Black population.
In a delightful didactic forum, Fisher also shared some case study problems encountered in the work place from management to racism and helped them walk through options they might not have considered. Accompanying Dr. Fisher was Mr. Dana L. Merck, Founder of the Brother-to-Brother Organization started in 1997 on the campus of Livingstone College. Brothers Ibrahim Bah and Terrence Merck attended and all were invited to share in the discussion focused on challenges for the advancement of Black males. Fisher a proponent of these efforts for years also shared insights from being a single mother of two adopted sons, a supporter of efforts to increase student exposures to internships and other opportunities for growth as well as some spiritual insight from being a preacher’s daughter and a Jew.
As one of the founding members of the Neo-Black Society from which GYM has evolved, Fisher provided some historical background to where they were and how we might think differently if we want to move society forward. Brochures on African Americans and Native Americans and the Republican Party were shared to dispel myths and encourage students to be informed and proactive rather than passive and reactive.
Those present seemed to enjoy the session finding its speakers willing to share and interact with their guest for more than one hour after the event was over.
