Keynote Address - Raising Others, Raising Self: The Power of Communication in Personal and Community Growth

Last week, I had the privilege of giving a speech at my alma mater, Youngstown State University, to a group of students, staff, friends, and family members at the 14th Annual Department of Communication Honors Banquet. Below is the speech I wrote. Although I didn't say it word for word, I conveyed its main points.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I stand before you today not just as a graduate of the YSU Communications program, but as a member of an extraordinary community. A community formed by shared experiences, shared knowledge, and a shared commitment to one another. I am here to share with you a principle that has guided my journey so far, a principle I like to call "Raise Others, Raise Self."

Let's rewind to my college days. I was a business school student, struggling to pass accounting 101. After two unsuccessful attempts, I decided to switch my degree to Communications. It was a choice that focused more on words than numbers. Seven years later, I found myself working at a bank. It wasn't the career path I had imagined, but it was a testament to the power and versatility of a Communications degree from YSU.

In 2016, the year I graduated, the world was in the grip of an election year. The tension was palpable, a sense of division and conflict that has seemingly boiled over in the years since. It was then that I found myself in a course taught by the late Dr. George McCloud. His question, "What do you want to do when you graduate?" left the room silent. In a moment of honesty, I told him I wanted to escape, to live in a remote part of the country away from the chaos. His response changed my perspective forever.

He said, "You can do that, but it doesn't make it right. As an educated and informed member of our society, you owe it to our communities to be a leader."

That statement hit me like a ton of bricks. It made me realize that my education wasn't just for my benefit. It was a tool, a responsibility to uplift those around me.

This idea of upliftment, of raising others, is deeply ingrained in the field of Communications. The Latin word 'communis', meaning 'common' or 'shared', is the root of both 'communication' and 'community'. It signifies a shared understanding, a common ground that forms the basis of any community. This understanding is what I want to emphasize today.

In my career in marketing, I've learned that communication is not just about conveying a message. It's about creating connections, bridging gaps, and fostering understanding. When things go wrong, more often than not, it's due to a breakdown in communication.

I've had my share of missteps too. Once, I followed a couple walking clockwise on an indoor track, assuming they knew the correct direction. A half hour later, someone came running towards me in the opposite direction. When I went to point out to the person which direction traffic should be going, I realized it was me who was not going in the right direction. The signs were there, but I didn't pay attention to them.

That incident taught me two important lessons. First, communication is all about paying attention to the signs, the signals presented to us. And second, before jumping to conclusions, we need to check ourselves first. We need to ensure that we are contributing positively to the communication process rather than adding to the confusion.

This learning was reinforced when I experienced a sudden, unexplained wrist pain while training for a martial arts competition. My body was communicating with me, signaling that something was wrong. It was a lesson in paying attention not only to the signals outside of us but also to those within us. In the same way, we need to listen to our inner voices, our instincts, and our emotions - all of these are also forms of communication that can guide us towards self-improvement and better community interaction.

In my journey, I have also learned the power of positive thinking and visualization. During my time at YSU, I dreamt of working in marketing in downtown Cleveland. I didn't know anyone there, but I kept visiting the city, visualizing myself working there. I networked, I made connections, and I put myself in situations that would bring me closer to my goal. And eventually, I found myself working in the very place I had imagined. This taught me that our thoughts and beliefs can influence our actions and shape our reality.

So, what does all this have to do with "Raise Others, Raise Self"?

Every interaction, every communication presents an opportunity to uplift others. Whether it's by offering a listening ear, sharing knowledge, helping someone understand a complex idea, or just being there for someone, each small act contributes to the raising of others. And in the process, we raise ourselves.

We grow, not just professionally, but personally too. We become more aware, more empathetic, more understanding. We become better communicators, better community members, better human beings. Thank you.