|
|
Sneak peek: Documentary about Mike Ervin
 THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is a half-hour documentary about "The Strength Coach" producer Mike Ervin, who is a renegade Jerry's Kid. A Muscular Dystrophy Association poster child in the 1960s, today Mike is an outspoken disability rights activist who challenges the MDA's representation of people with disabilities in its Labor Day telethon through his activist group, Jerry's Orphans. The documentary is available for public screenings to stir discussions in your area about pity, charity and the perception of disability. If you wish, you can also use the screening to generate media coverage and protests to counteract the damage of the telethon. If you're interested, contact Barb Wesolek in Chicago at (773) 929-6362. Her e-mail address is wes754@sbc.com.
Next week, we'll interview Mike and the filmmaker, Kerry Richardson. And "The Strength Coach," who has muscular dystrophy has come up with the ultimate solution to the telethon problem. Tune in next week to hear the unveiling of my great idea! Until then, you can watch clips of the documentary online at http://www.thekidsareallright.org.
"Greg Smith Day" in Vicksburg, Miss.
Don Brown, director of the Warren Yazoo Mental Health Center in Vicksburg, Miss., was so impressed with one of my presentations last year that he spearheaded a "Greg Smith Day" in Vicksburg last week. It was actually two days of activities. On Wednesday, I spoke to the Alcorn State University Football Team, delivering a well-received message about inner strength. Alcorn's President Clinton Bristow made me a promise. When Alcorn wins the SWAC conference title this season, I will be awarded a championship ring! I hope to offer Alcorn motivation throughout the season. Alcorn is a place with special significance to me. It is the setting of my parents' courtship, where my dad was the quarterback of the football team and my mom was the homecoming queen.
Greg addresses the football team at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss.
On Thursday, I spoke to the Kiwanis Club in the morning, did a radio interview on country station WBBV, spoke the Rotary Club and did my keynote presentation that evening at the Vicksburg City Auditorium. At the event, I was awarded a "Key to the City" by Mayor Laurence E. Leyens. The Vicksburg TV city channel will broadcast my entire speech several times over the next month. It was a great couple of days!
NABJ to make good on Film Festival value
For three weeks I have been recovering from a major disappointment, but today I received good news. Tangie Newborn, executive director of the National Association of Black Journlists called to offer value in return for what had been a losing investment. I expected 600 journalists to see my documentary film at the NABJ annual conference August 6 in Atlanta. Thirteen showed up. The movie-going media types chose to see John Singleton's "Four Brothers" and a documentary about the late comedian Robin Harris, films that were added to the schedule after I invested in the opportunity. All three movies played at the same time, forcing attendees to choose. It seems my big day was ruined by four fake brothers and one dead one! But I'm very excited to announce that NABJ has chosen the responsible path and will be exposing my important work to their membership!
Mississippi DD Council launches new web site
My work has been supported in part by a grant from the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities. Executive director Ed Butler has announced the launch of their new Web site at http://www.cdd.ms.gov. Check out the "Positive Outcomes" section and see if you can locate someone very familiar! http://www.cdd.ms.gov/positive_outcomes.html
Ed Butler, executive director of the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities takes the airwaves with Greg on WBBV radio in Vicksburg.
This Week's Show: Sales Tips for Life -- Joy Baldridge
 Life is a sales pitch! Joy Baldridge is a sales expert and acclaimed author of "The Fast Forward MBA in Selling." She knows her information gets results because in every sales position ever held, Joy has always been ranked #1. Her first speaking engagement was at The White House, at the age of 19. She got there by making a cold call to the President of the United States. Today, she speaks, trains and consults with a wide range of corporate talent both domestically and globally. Her clientele consists of more than 200 corporations, publishing/media organizations, associations and government agencies.
Help Wanted: Call your local bookstore and ask for "On A Roll"
I believe I'm in a great position to have a profound impact on the world, helping people build inner strength and living as a public example of the potential of people with disabilities. I can shatter misconceptions if the mainstream media gives me the opportunity. I need your help. To make these things happen, my autobiography, "On A Roll: Reflections from America's Wheelchair Dude with the Winning Attitude." needs to sell well. PLEASE, everyone on this list... Call your local bookstore. Ask for the manager, and ask them if they have "On A Roll" by Greg Smith in stock. We need to create demand to keep the book in stores.
Take a minute now to get your copy.
The Extra Point!
Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. -- Kahlil Gibran
Greg's work is supported in part by the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities. Does your state's DD Council support disability media initiatives? Why not? To find out how, call 1-877-331-7563.
|
|
|
