Breakfast with Business Guru & Mogul Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Business Guru Earvin "Magic" Johnson

The AAERG Prayer Breakfast with Magic Johnson was amazing. I have never seen anything like it. Earvin Magic Johnson is a great leader. He shared his business success with us. His portfolio of businesses include Starbucks, TGIF Friday's, hotels, and movie theaters. He employs over 40,000 minorities.

CEO Earvin "Magic" Johnson accepts AAERG Academy Award

He shared his business tips with us. Then he did a Q&A to provide personalized advice.
The most important piece of advice that he shared with us was don't hire your family ...unless they have expertise. The number one reason that African American businesses fail is they hire family members. They family members take the money from the businesses. Magic says that he pays his family members to stay away. Every Thanksgiving his gives his brothers and sisters a check. Here you don't have to come in. Bam a check!

Joyful Winner of Front Seats to Lakers Game

Magic Johnson giveaways at the breakfast included his autographed Lakers Jerseys and front row seats to the Lakers games. These tickets were valued at $3,000 each. Magic gifted to Varita 8 tickets. When he called her up to receive the tickets she told him that she had triplets. So Magic said okay I will give you four tickets, then he doubled it to 8 tickets so she could have baby sitters for her triplets at the game. Simply awesome!

(left) Varita Shelton "My Barbados"

The most moving moment for me at the breakfast was witnessing a powerful group of five or six youth from the orchestra stand up. One young man eloquently introduced himself. Then the other students  introduced themselves as well. Then the young male leader said we are all high achieving African American students who are about to enter college or are in college. Do you know of any scholarships? Magic started to share with them his UCLA Urban Summer Program. Then Earvin "Magic" Johnson gifted that bold group of students  with scholarships for college. "Ask and it is given." It was powerful to be in the presence of such a great leader who is humble and giving.

Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA)

Thank you Earvin Magic Johnson sharing yourself, your business knowledge, and your gifts. I am looking forward to the next time you visit with AAERG.

Family Photo Op with Business Guru & Mogul Earvin "Magic" Johnson

American Airlines Receives Top 25 Diversity Council Honors

Inner City Orchestra of Los Angeles -ICYOLA

Association of Diversity Councils Recognizes American for Workplace Diversity

American Airlines African American Employee Resource Group LAX Chapter
(right) Joyce Darthard-Perkins Chairperson of LAX AAERG Executive Board

For the third consecutive year, American Airlines is a recipient of the Diversity Council Honors Award™ from the Association of Diversity Councils, which recognizes companies for outstanding achievements in demonstrating workplace diversity. American was the sole airline to be listed as having one of the nation's top 25 diversity councils.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Chairman & CEO Magic Johnson Enterprises

"We are extremely proud to see this recognition of our Diversity Advisory Council and the tremendous leadership it provides – not only its support of our ongoing inclusion efforts, but also in addressing business challenges," said Lauri Curtis, American's Vice President of Diversity, Leadership and Engagement Strategies. "We know from experience that none of us is as powerful and effective as all of us working together. While it's important to be inclusive and value diversity because it's the right thing to do, the results also prove that it is very good for business. Diversity and inclusion are among American's fundamental values, and we are honored that ours is again among the nation's top 25 diversity councils."

David Campbell (left)
Vice President Safety Security & Environmental

Curtis noted that American strives to create an environment where each employee's unique experience, perspectives and ideas are encouraged and valued. "At American Airlines, we are energized by our global and diverse workforce," she added. "We are dedicated not only to advancing matters of equality and inclusion, but to supporting and celebrating them."

Earvin "Magic" Johnson receives AAERG "Academy Award"

The Diversity Council Honors Awards program distinguishes corporate diversity councils that lead diversity processes in organizations and demonstrate results in their workforce, workplace and marketplace. Winners' rankings will be announced at an awards dinner and ceremony in Atlanta on April 5.

Chairperson Joseph Huggins (left)
& AAERG Chicago Chapter

"This is the third year that American Airlines has received the Diversity Council Honors Award," said Janice E. Bowman, Practice Leader – Association of Diversity Councils. "American Airlines is the undisputed leader in setting the standards for excellence for diversity council groups from within the air transportation industry by helping to raise the visibility and importance of the work of diversity and inclusion councils on a national level. The leadership of American Airlines is also recognized for their commitment and support of the important work and success of their council."

Skychi & Sandra Finely
Pres & CEO
League of Black Women

Skychi & Selena Cuffe
AA Diversity Supplier
Pres. & CEO
Heritage Brands, LLC

A Diversity Committee within the AMR Corporation Board of Directors provides oversight of American and American Eagle Airlines diversity initiatives. Company initiatives include fostering minority business growth and supplier diversity, as well as supporting employee involvement in a broad range of diversity-related programs and organizations.

Michael Collins
Managing Director
Diversity Strategies

A dedicated Diversity Strategies organization leads development of diversity priorities and goals, and works with operating management to implement forward-thinking initiatives.

The company's employees provide valuable input for business decisions through 16 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which reflect customers, suppliers and the community. These groups have made significant contributions across many areas of the company, from community involvement to educational functions, as well as lending their expertise to planning for international routes and helping to promote enrollment in the AAdvantage® program, American's loyalty program.

Skychi & Varita Shelton-"My Barbados"

The ERGs are linked by the Diversity Advisory Council, which meets regularly and promotes the company's belief in the effectiveness of working together. Council activities and accomplishments have included:

AAERG "Goes Hollywood"

• 
  
• Collaboration with oneworld® partners to provide cultural expertise to joint business alliances
• Translations and media talent for American's communications, marketing and advertising departments
• Ongoing support of "Operation Mobility," which offers service improvements for customers with disabilities
• Assistance as a focus group to help develop messages tailored to specific employee and customer groups

Sabrenda Clifton AAERG DAC Representative

In addition, the Council has provided cultural perspectives for updates to American's uniform and appearance standards, and offered presentations to flight attendant groups regarding faith-based traditions.
American also has strong partnerships with national and local advocacy organizations that promote equality and advancement for under-represented groups.
For more information about Diversity and Inclusion at American Airlines, please visit AA.com/Diversity.

American Airlines Flight Attendant serving South African Wine
At Diversity Supplier Reception

Wine Tasting by Selena Cuffe
Founder/CEO of Heritage Link Brands LLC

American Airlines Flight Attendant serving
Strawberry & Honey South African Wines

AAERG Chicago Chairperson Joseph Huggins at
Wine Tasting Reception at Brasserie

About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning AA.com® website provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers.

American Airlines is a founding
member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve approximately 750 destinations in nearly 150 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

AAERG Academy Awards Reception

"GO NOW. HOWEVER YOU CAN; BACKPACK, WORK ABROAD, RICH PARENTS."

This one is from Machu Picchu in Peru and includes my husband, Ish. 

Heather Greenwood Davis

Columnist and Freelance Writer

www.greenwooddavis.com

www.globetrottingmama.com

www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/94555 

1. What message do have for students who want to travel? 

GO NOW. HOWEVER YOU CAN; BACKPACK, WORK ABROAD, RICH PARENTS. :) You will never have as much time to travel as you will as a student. Make the most of it.  

2. What are your childhood memories of travel ? 

My parents insisted on an annual vacation. We couldn't necessarily afford to jet set with a family of 5 but road trips were a staple. I have fantastic memories of being in cars surrounded by cousins headed to see more family somewhere else. Although my kids have traveled extensively, I think they miss out in not having cousins they can hang with like that. It taught me a lot about the importance of just being with family. 

3. Where did you dream of traveling when you were a child? 

Everywhere seemed further as a kid. I remember California and New York were places on my list. Africa was so "not going to ever happen" I didn't even dream about it. For me travel dreams were always more about the people I'd be with than the destination per se. 

Heather in front of Buckingham Palace

4. Did you travel as a child? Yup. (see above) :)

5. What did you learn as a child about the expectation for black people to travel?

I grew up in Canada and whether it was the country or my parents, it never occurred to me that there wasn't anywhere I couldn't go.  I believe my kids are growing up with the same beliefs. 

6. Did you admire or know of any Black people that traveled when you were a child? 

Just my family. 

Heather with her son Ethan

7. Why should Black people travel?

Because we're human beings and that means we have family all over this amazing planet just like everyone else. Because it opens our eyes to possibilities you didn't even know existed and expands our dream potential. Because the world is too small not to see it all. 

8. What was your first trip?

My first trip on my own was to St. Petersburg Florida.

9. How did you plan for it? Online.

I found a great package deal and added a car rental. I was about 22 at the time.

10. What was your experience there?

I loved it. Solo travel felt empowering and knowing I could go wherever I wanted, do whatever I wanted and do it all when I wanted fuelled my love of travel. 

a) positive experience -learning to eat alone in a restaurant and be okay with it

b) negative experience- realizing I was going to have to be in charge of my own safety. It turned into a positive and made me a better traveler.  

Heather feeding Kangaroos

11. Was your travel experience what you expected? and more.

12. How is your travel experience as a Black traveler different from what you perceive as a White traveler? 

I'm rarely aware of a difference. Again, I think it's due to upbringing and place of birth. Also, my focus has never been on what another traveler, whatever their race, is doing. I hope they're getting as much out of their experience as I am out of mine. The one place where it felt really different to be experiencing travel as a Black person was Africa. There I wasn't a traveler, it felt more like a homecoming. I can't wait to go back. 

13. What is your voice as a Black travel blogger?

Authentically unique, guided by but not limited by my race. 

Heather at Winter Carnival with her son Cameron

14. Where do you dream of traveling now? Why?

My dream trip is about to take flight! I leave July 2011 for a one year around the world trip with my husband and two children. I'm not aware of another Black family who has done this (if you're out there let me know!) and I'm looking forward to all that it will bring us in terms of learning and experience.  We're blogging about the experience  (before, during and after) at GlobetrottingMama.com and writing about it (I'm now a full-time freelance Travel Writer) for Canada's largest daily newspaper The Toronto Star and a host of other publications. 

15. Anything else you would like to add? 

Just that I hope people will read your interviews and reach out if they have questions. Travel has changed my perspective of the world in a positive way. I wish that for more people.