Bradley Dean of Billy Reid was our last speaker for forum. He wears many hats for the Billy Reid company but I wrote down that he is the creative and digital design director. He is a UNA graduate and is very involved in the community. He's involved in many groups and committees that aim to keep the Shoals beautiful and more specifically historically preserved and clean. Mr. Dean had a very inspiring subject, even despite his nervousness and sporadic nature. He basically told us that it is our duty to go out and find out for ourselves what we need to know to get the things done that we want to see done.
Beyond that, Mr. Dean also told us it's OK not to be a leader. All of our lives we are always told to be leaders, but Mr. Dean showed us a video clip that sums up this myth quite well. A leader is just a nut job if he or she does not have any followers, so we should sometimes courageously be a first follower. Because, if not, "there is no movement without a first follower." Not only that, but one can not be a good leader without being knowledgeable; therefore, we should also soak up knowledge from elders and learn how to pitch ideas so that we can change problems where we see them. Mr. Dean did this by experimenting with growing organic cotton, joining the Heritage Preservation Inc., joining the Historical Board, and coming up with new and innovative ideas for First Fridays.
Mr. Dean gave us a lot to think about after speaking to us on Monday. I never quite looked at things the way he did, and he has inspired me to make sure I do things to the best of my ability, and be the change that I want to see.
<3 Best Wishes and Happy Days for all <3
Lesley
XOXOXOXO
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