Hey guys! So this is week 9 of my Dale Carnegie Journey, and I have been learning so much thus far. From rolling around on the floor doing movement exercises, to tears sharing passionate talks, The Dale Carnegie Course has been such an expedition; filled with love, encouragement and my favorite thing of all… appreciation.
I had the wonderful opportunity of attending my first Dale Carnegie graduation, held at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Monday June 3 2013, from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. This event celebrated the first graduates of a new course in entrepreneurship and leadership, entitled the “Barfield Entrepreneurial & Leadership Development Program” driven by Dale Carnegie Training. BELDP is a program for young teenagers which enables them to learn how to communicate effectively, develop leadership skills, self confidence skills and interpersonal skills. This program was developed throughout the 2012-2013 school year, specified for Detroit public school students. This program was designed specifically to aid high school students in preparing for college in the communication aspect and how to express their ideas effectively. This group of bright students of the Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA) were the first students to complete this program, which really allowed them to share their experience and everything they have learned thus far with their family and friends in a very fun and inviting manner.
Although I wasn’t with this teens along for the ride, I can surely distinguish how much they have grown. They were able to stand up in front of their peers, family and friends and give such captivating, motivating talks. They inspired me. They motivated me. They gave me such encouragement and great insight on how The Dale Carnegie Course can really change a person. I couldn’t imagine how ANY of these kids could have ever been shy! I was so incredibly privileged to share such a cherished moment with them, and it made me feel as though I watched them grow the entire time.
Mr. John Barfield, founder and Chairman of Barfield Entrepreneurial and Leadership Development Program (powered by Dale Carnegie), was the guest speaker of the evening. His speech was impeccable, immaculate and powerful. He mesmerized the audience with his words in such a way that you couldn’t help BUT to listen and pay attention. The words moved you in a manner that encouraged you to truthfully be proud and confident about your heritage, where you came from, and where you are going.
Legendary Michigan entrepreneur John W. Barfield initiated the program last October, alongside Dale Carnegie of Southeastern Michigan. Mr. Barfield is the founder and chairman of the Bartech Group Inc., a Southfield, Michigan-based firm that is a global leader in the workforce management industry. Bartech was ranked 18th on Black Enterprise magazine’s 2012 list of the top 100 black-owned industrial /service firms. The Dale Carnegie organization was a pioneer of self-development training and methodical leadership training for businesses, and remains a world leader in that industry.
Barfield and Dale Carnegie of Southeastern Michigan collaborated together last fall in efforts to launch the Entrepreneurial & Leadership Development Program at DEPSA, a public charter school located at 1903 Wilkins St. in Detroit. DEPSA was founded by Edison Learning in 1998. (It has never been affiliated with Detroit Edison Co., or its parent, DTE Energy.) The key goal of the program is to arouse in students an interest in business ownership and the development of leadership skills; with the ultimate goal being the expansion of education and economic enlargement within inner-city areas.
What differentiates Dale Carnegie is not only do they give you training in providing skills, but also changing attitudes and behaviors. second to none with changing the attitudes and behaviors of individuals and teams in corporations. This organization’s mission is to greatly deliver these verified results, to positively impact talented individuals in the inner cities of our great country. This is both a socially responsible and profitable venture, and a huge feather in Dale Carnegie’s hat.
“I can personally attest to the impact such a program would have since in 1957, the year after I started my first business” Mr. Barfield says. “I heard of the Dale Carnegie Course in Ann Arbor, MI that was being taught by Betty Brandt. Betty and her husband, Ralph were my customers as I provided window cleaning services for their home on the west side of Ann Arbor. I used the principles taught by Dale Carnegie to overcome difficult, social, political, and business obstacles to build a prosperous janitorial firm in the 1950s and ‘60s, which I sold to ITT Corporation in 1969. Today, the Bartech Group is one of the nation’s leading talent acquisition and management firms – employing and managing more than 26,000 associates and $2 billion in annualized spend.”
Ranging from personal testimonies to great money-saving advice, Mr. Barfield’s speech moved me in such a way that it truly inspired me to go after my goals without hesitation. I feel so incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to witness the growth of these teenagers, and to witness the marvelous expressions of Mr. Barfield, in which the term legend would be an understatement for. Overall, this made me look forward to my graduation even more, and my future with Dale Carnegie Training as a whole.
Guys, I can’t believe my graduation is only 2 weeks away! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? I feel as though I have grown so remarkably. I used to have social anxiety within large groups of people; not anymore. I used to be easily intimidated by others who I thought may have more on the ball than I do; not anymore. Dale Carnegie has been such a blessing to me, and I cannot wait to share the rest of my stories with all of you. By the end of the week, I will share my experiences in session 7 and 8, and why session 8 was my absolute favorite thus far. Stay tuned!
Are you thinking of embarking on your own Dale Carnegie Journey? Submit your questions here.
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