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Today is the 155^th anniversary when black slaves received the news in Texas of their freedom from Federal soldiers; two and half years after the Civil War ended and the Emancipation Proclamation.  Really not that long ago. There have been additional amendments and legislation to secure other freedoms including the 13^th Amendment (to abolish slavery, Dec. 1865) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Even though proclamations, declarations, and legislation have been passed to free slaves, grant equal protections and right to vote, only true freedom and equality will be achieved when racial bias and beliefs of superiority are removed from hearts and minds. It is difficult because often these beliefs or implicit biases are hidden and affect our thoughts and actions in an unconscious manner. Together in ACEL through education, communication, and leadership we will work to promote anti-racism that fosters racial equality and justice. 

The recent CFAES update from Dean Kress and educational guide from Dr. Dickerson (see attachment) provides helpful insight and perspective for Juneteenth. 

“June 19^th is known as Juneteenth, it’s also known as Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Cel-Liberation Day, and is an American holiday that celebrates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. Learn more about this African American tradition that has been around since the late 19^th century. On this historical day take time to consider one’s own bias by reading, listening or watching a video. Resources can be found on the OSU Focus on Racial Justice website as well as the Smithsonian Magazine website.” (Dean Kress, CFAES Update)

ACEL stands in support and solidarity with our Black, Indigenous, and people of color students, staff, faculty, and stakeholders.

-Dr. Scott D. Scheer, Interim Chair & Professor, Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership

"One of the key components of the vulnerability decision is the willingness to openly acknowledge and then embrace your flaws. This can be very difficult because, again many leaders perceive this as a kind of weakness. They believe this will make them seem fallible, and thus they will lose their authority and respect. But if done in the right way, being open about one's imperfections has the opposite effect, and the best leaders know how to do this.

Admitting your flaws accomplishes several goals. First, it allows you to admit there is room for improvement. How can you change if you think you're already perfect? If you can get past yourself and see that you - as a human being and a leader - are more of a work-in-progress than you are a final product, then you'll set the stage to make the kind of changes necessary to take yourself - and your team - to the next level. 

  
Second, being transparent about your imperfections inspires a tremendous sense of trust in you from your team. The truth is that those who work with and for you already know that you're not, and if your colleagues and staff know that you are conscious of your gaps, they can fully trust that you'll take responsibility for them. It may sound counterintuitive, but it works (p. 139-140)."

From: Lesser, M. (2019).  Seven practices of a mindful leader.  Novato: CA: New World Library.

"The most compelling persuasive communications come from individuals whose personae, life experiences and verbal messages coalesce.

The leader who personified her vision can transform her life into an ongoing narrative. That can be a tangible service, inspiring countless others.

You are the Message. To most effectively serve your audience, you must fuse ever greater parts of yourself into your message. Your values, your hopes for the future, your life history, your habits of living and working, the very clothes you wear...these can all become elements of your communication arsenal (p. 277)."

From: Strock, J. (2019).  Serve to lead 2.0: 21 ^st century leaders manual.  Serve to Lead Group  https://servetolead.org

1. "Thinking Differently, Thinking Big
2. The Vulnerability Decision
3. Having a Mindset of Entitlement versus a Mindset of Duty
4. Leveraging Your Gifts and Addressing Your Gaps
5. Having the Courage to Execute with Pride, Passion, and Precision
6. Staying Present and Being Vigilant
7. Course Correction (p. 86)."

From:  Mattone, J (2020). The intelligent leader: unlocking the 7 secrets to leading others and leaving your legacy. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.