2015-10-13 SUFS Stories from the North, thanks James Milne!

Two (TNKR) Teach North Korean Refugees Ambassadors spoke at the Seoul University of Foreign Studies in Seoul yesterday.

* I kicked off the event by giving some background information about North Korean refugees, then about TNKR's main activities.

My speech received a strong response from the audience. Korean college (and graduate) students are known for only volunteering when they have no choice. But yesterday several students told me that they would like to join TNKR. A couple of the ladies in the audience were crying as they listened to our featured speakers.

Korean students are also known for sitting on their hands during Q&A, but yesterday they were asking many questions.

During Q&A, I challenged them to gather together as a group so we could have a planning session to make it happen. I often make the point to NK NGO leaders and activists that instead of blaming Koreans for not getting involved, we may need to change our strategy to attract people.

* Speakers Cherie Yang and Sharon Jang were wonderful! They both entered TNKR this year without public speaking experience. Cherie joined the program in January then gave her first speeches in February--in a speaking tour across the USA!

Sharon joined TNKR in March 2015--then her first speech was at the British embassy that was recorded by Al Jazeera. They are both getting better at presenting their stories.

* The event was organized by TNKR volunteer James Maxwell Milne. He organized it, raised money for it with a gofundme page, and also made a personal donation. In the future I will suggest this model to volunteers who want to organize speaking events for TNKR members.

It often takes one person taking the lead to make something happen. James led the effort. And of course professor Michelle Lim made it all possible.

support TNKR: www.lovetnkr.org/donate

Radio, Harvard

I'll be a guest on XM 169 The Power this morning from 10:15 a.m. EST. I'll be talking about teaching English abroad. I'll be interviewed by Brian Higgins of MYB Talk . I sang last night for about five hours with friends but I'm sure my voice will be fine. Tuesday, I'll be interviewed by a Harvard University representative who wants my input on a new doctoral program for education leaders . It is a collaboration between the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School. Some folks at the Booker Rising site are (again) reminding me that I'm not as smart as I think I am. CJL

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Mentoring while Black by Casey Lartigue Jr. February 16, 2023 www.patreon.com/caseylartigue

The Casey Lartigue Show!

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