拉里·帕克二世分享建立社区希望的故事

据拉里·帕克二世所说, 多元化总监, 股本, 和包容(DEI)和艾尔米拉学院第九条协调员, people who knew him when he was young would not envision that he would become a person with multiple graduate-level degrees, 大学院长, 社区领袖, 或者是一个作者. 然而，帕克可以宣称所有这些成就. They are also why Parker was appointed to the Chemung County Human Relations Commission (CCHRC) and why he was invited to speak at the organization’s recent Annual Breakfast in February 2023.

Unfortunately, Parker was unable to speak at the breakfast due to illness. 然而, Juhura Shazer, Executive Director of Chemung County Human Relations and Chair of the Human Relations Commission, 介入并分享了帕克的故事. Shazer谈到了Parker是如何从高中辍学的, but then received the mentorship necessary to not only get his bachelor’s but a master’s and how he is now on the path to getting a doctorate in strategic leadership.

“The message Juhura and I wanted to share with everyone at the breakfast was that we have an opportunity to help the next generation succeed,帕克说。. “如果你看看我17岁或18岁时的样子, you would have thought that college and career success were not possible. But if I can go through a transformation, then there is hope others can too.”

帕克把他的转变归功于他的妻子, 朋友, 以及在正确的时刻帮助他的导师. For example, when Parker started an online degree, he didn’t have Wi-Fi access at home. 他的朋友大卫·埃利斯, who is now Executive Director of the Chemung County Youth Bureau, 介入并提供帮助. 他告诉帕克他要早起, 熬夜, and do whatever it took so that Parker could get the access he needed to complete his courses.

In another example Parker shared, valuable advice came from a stranger. After going through multiple rounds of interviews for a position he was interested in, one of the interviewers called to say they chose another candidate. Parker summoned the courage to ask for tips and the interviewer spent 40 minutes coaching Parker on how to better position himself for future success.

“For me, it was about having a community around me that believed it was possible,帕克说。.

这就是为什么今天, 以及他的中国人权委员会成员, Parker helps engage with underrepresented communities in the Elmira region. CCHRC members help people who have experienced racism or bigotry walk through how to make a formal claim with the County agency. They find ways to connect the community together and to highlight the talents of area youth who may otherwise get overlooked. 他们也在为年轻人寻找工作建立途径, 尤其是当这些角色的竞争越来越激烈的时候.

“Many of our youth need mentorship, experience, and resources to transform and thrive,帕克说。.

Parker also uses his CCHRC role to create more bridges between the local community and 埃尔迈拉大学. 在他的DEI角色中, he organizes speakers to come and share with EC students about their life journeys and give career and leadership tips.

黑人历史月, Parker helped organize a series of events featuring black professionals from the greater Elmira region. 他们将在一系列议题上分享各自的经验, 包括当地历史, 音乐, and the contributions of black people today in making the history of tomorrow. 这些活动是免费向公众开放的.

“My life’s purpose is to participate, contribute, and hopefully benefit the people in my community. 我很荣幸能尽我所能做出贡献。”帕克说道.

“社区是我们在这里的目的,Shazer说, who also serves as the Lead Pastor at the City of Light Church. “It is the reason to wake up in the morning, and it is what keeps me motivated while I rest. Collaborating with these professionals and community leaders on the Human Relations Commission is a vital part of removing barriers and creating pathways for others to succeed.”