SAVE THE CHEETAH CUBS

Recognizing the Destructive Forces in Your Life

On March 14, ASASP members had the opportunity to hear a dynamic speaker and motivator in Dr. Calvin Mackie.  Dr. Mackie is an award winning mentor, and a successful entrepreneur.  His messages continue to transcend race, gender, ethnicity, religion and time.  After starting college in remedial reading because of weak SAT scores, Calvin Mackie earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, a B.S. in mathematics from Morehouse College in 1990, a M.S. in 1992 and the Ph.D. in 1996 in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.  Following graduation, he joined the faculty at Tulane University where he pursued research related to heat transfer, fluid dynamics, energy efficiency and renewable energy.  In 2002, he was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure.  Mackie's eleven year academic career ended in June 2007 when Tulane University disbanded the engineering school in response to financial hardship induced by Hurricane Katrina.  A professional speaker, in 1992, Dr. Mackie co-founded Channel Zer0, an educational and motivational consulting company and has presented to numerous civic and educational institutions and Fortune 500 corporations.  In 2004-2005, he was a visiting professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Mackie is the author of the book:  "A View from the Roof:  Lessons for Life and Business."  Most recently, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed Dr. Mackie to the 33-member Louisiana Recovery Authority, the guiding agency to lead the state's rebuilding efforts following the catastrophic Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Possessing instant social, political, cultural and technical credibility, Dr. Mackie was featured prominently on the HBO world premier of Spike Lee's Katrina documentary entitled "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Parts."

Dr. Mackie explained to ASASP members the theme of his presentation "Saving the Cheetah Cubs."  While travelling in West Africa's Ghana, he learned of the competition between the lion and the cheetah.  The lion, strong and powerful, is known as king of the jungle.  The cheetah is the fastest animal alive.  A gazelle wandering by gets the full, immediate attention of a lion and a cheetah.  They both pursue the food source. The lion, strong and powerful, can rip the gazelle apart in one fell swoop - if it catches it before the cheetah.  However, the lion is not a match for the cheetah's speed - so the cheetah catches the prey.  The cheetah will take the kill up into a tree where the lion cannot reach it and the cheetah will leisurely enjoy the meal.  So much for the king of the jungle.  Knowing this, lions will kill any cheetah cubs it may find - they don't even eat them - they kill them knowing what they can accomplish if allowed to mature.

Dr. Mackie equated our children to the cheetah cubs.  There are many potential "lions" out there waiting to destroy our "cubs" before they can achieve their potential.  Be it drugs, alcohol, abuse, neglect or just vicious people who do not want to see our children succeed, the "lions" wait in the grass to pounce and bring them down.  It is our responsibility to protect our children by educating them -- provide them with knowlege; provide them with solutions; provide support.  We - parents, teachers, administrators, elected officials, the community - have the awesome responsibility to secure the futures of our children.  For without strong, ethical, successful children, we have no future.

La'Mont Geddis, Assistant Principal, Bladensburg High School, was beyond inspired.  "Calvin Mackie's words encouraged and captivated the entire auditorium of educators.  Listening to Dr. Mackie was like refueling while driving on empty.  We obtained premium wisdom passed down from the experiences of Dr. Mackie's grandmother and father, a legacy of truth.  Dr. Mackie was fantastic.  He challenged the ills of society while offering real world solutions.  He called for a standing of all Black Male Educators, challenging us to unite and stand up for our children.  Apathy must not claim another student.  Dr. Mackie has unconsciously added his name to my personal list of Mentors.  If you haven't read his latest work "A View from the Roof: Lessons for Life and Business", you are missing a heart touching, motivational, inspiring piece of literature."

Mr. Geddis' remarks reflect the feelings of many members who attended the presentation.  Those who missed it, really missed it.

If you would like Dr. Mackie to address your students or other groups, visit www.channelzro.com.

Calvin Mackie and the ASASP Board of Directors