Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/510699
latin magazine » spring 2015 9 News & Notes Dr. John Amaechi Visits Latin's 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. speaker, Dr. John Amaechi, shared an empowering message about building a more just and equitable world. During his two-day visit to the school in January, the former NBA player, best-selling author and psychologist, reminded students, faculty, staff and parents that the most important thing anyone can do is to be mindful in day-to-day interactions in order to truly see people for who they are. "Sometimes people think that to change the world, they have to be part of a big movement," said Amaechi. Instead, taking the time to take a personal interest in people is key to going beyond categorizing them based on appearance or difference. "Mindfulness cuts through all that nonsense," he said. Amaechi spoke to audiences about the challenges he faced growing up outside of Manchester, England, as an extremely tall, overweight and bookish child who was the only black student in his school. He felt isolated, alone and "monster-like" for much of his youth. is began to change when he played basketball and was appreciated for his abilities and potential, giving him the confidence to become one of the first professional players to come out as gay in the NBA. Since leaving sports, Amaechi has dedicated himself to teaching tolerance and reaching out to those who are struggling with the feelings that he experienced growing up. In 2011, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his philanthropy, in particular his work with young people. He also has written a best-selling memoir, Man in the Middle, about his long journey from Manchester, to Penn State and the NBA. Sometimes people think that to change the world, they have to be part of a big movement. Mindfulness cuts through all that nonsense." – Dr. John Amaechi latin magazine » spring 2015 latin magazine 9