This week's exciting program featured Dwight Smith. Dwight's many accomplishments as a business and community leader include CEO of Sophisticated Systems, Director of The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and member of the Nationwide Children's Hospital board of directors. When I spoke with him earlier this week, he reminded me, "those are things I do, not who I am." His talk is devoted to a program he co-founded - My Special Word (www.myspecialword.com).  

My Special Word is a not-for-profit program with the aspiration of inspiring our youth to think about the wonderful people they are and that they hope to become through the use of positive words.

Here are the values they seek to instill in young people:

- We believe that having positive self-esteem and a positive attitude are foundational to leading a happy and fulfilling life.

- We believe in honesty and openness in how we describe, define and share ourselves with others.

- We believe in mutual respect and honoring the view of others.

- We believe in personal accountability and to living our lives in a manner that is consistent with our personal values.

More photos are on our Flickr photo website:

Video Recording of this meeting and other meetings is on our YouTube Channel

 

Excerpt From an article in COLUMBUS MONTHLY:

"Dwight Smith's Quest to Empower Children Through Words" by Peter Tonguette

When is the last time you thought about how best to embody a word?

My Special Word co-founder Dwight Smith frequently asks young people to think about the words they use to describe themselves. In fact, when the Dublin resident introduces his program to children, he peppers them with questions.

After selecting a word they feel defines them—say, smart or caring—children explain their choice as well as how they express it in everyday life. “The fourth question is, ‘What can we do to help you become that very special person that you aspire to be?’” Smith, 63, says. “That’s simple, but it’s impactful.”

Smith, chairman and CEO of the technology services company Sophisticated Systems Inc., developed the nonprofit My Special Word with his wife, Renee, with the idea that language could be a change agent: If young people associate themselves with a positive word they can claim as their own, good outcomes can follow.

Where does your interest in working with young people come from?

When I was young, like maybe 20, 25 years old, I prayed the following prayer: “Lord, you have blessed me. What would you have me do with the talent and the opportunities that you have given me?” The answer, as clear as I’m talking to you, was, “Help my children.” There are a lot of causes to fight for—a cure for cancer, injustice, aging, domestic violence—but, for me, from the time I was in my early 20s, it was always on my heart to support and love children.  (More at https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/2020/12/09/dwight-smiths-quest-to-empower-children-through-words/43276791/ )

 

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