(N.A.H.) News! “OU alumnus works to enact social change, empower students”

I was recently approached by a writer from News at OU: Oakland University’s online newspaper to share my experiences with doing intergroup dialogue work, as well as other social justice initiatives that I’ve been involved in since graduating from Oakland University’s Social Work program and the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

OU alumnus works to enact social change, empower students

“Relando Thompkins is a self-described servant leader, teacher, learner, social change agent, writer and aspiring humanitarian. He is also a proud Oakland University alumnus who is using the lessons he has learned to make a positive impact on his community and beyond….” Read the full article here..

Completing this interview was a “check in” of sorts for me, and the process of answering the questions made me feel as if I had an opportunity to experience what the members of The People Who Inspire Series must feel when completing their interviews.

I was asked a variety of questions including:

• “How did you become active as a leader in your (Oakland University) community?”

• “Can you describe your involvement in the Intergroup Dialogue/Social Change Agents Program?”

• “What other social/humanitarian groups have you been involved with?”–My answer here is broken into two posts: Read about  “Better Choices” and “Making Race Heard”

• “How did your OU Education prepare you for your future (grad school at U-M, career, social pursuits, etc)?”

• “Did you have any mentors or heroes that inspired you along the way?”

• “What do you hope to achieve from your efforts? What message do you want to convey?” –this question was my favorite.

The article had to be edited for publishing purposes. However, one of the advantages of being the original creator of the written work, and having my own platform here at Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian is the fact that I have more space to delve further in-depth with my responses than was available in the original article.

I think it’s important to share my responses with you because reading them could help you to learn more about my journey and  message.

Over the next few days, I plan on sharing smaller parts of my responses to these questions in a 7 part series simply called “An OU Interview with Relando”.  As I publish the posts, I’ll hyperlink each bolded question above to the post that relates to it.

One of the greatest pieces of advice I received last year was to never forget the importance of giving of myself in everything that I do. Following that advice continues to lead to great and sometimes unexpected opportunities. Learn with me…

Grace & Peace,

From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins, MSW

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