Richard White

I was invited to a reception for Diversity Institute & Chips Quinn alumni. I arrived a little late due to work. Then I reunited with Val Hoeppner, Jack Marsh, Janine Harris, and Angie McDade. These were all people who were instrumental to my Diversity Institute success. So I sat with a friend for awhile, then made my way back to the hostel. Once I made it back to the hostel....my stomach had a great conversation...it was telling me to eat...now! So for a pizza that was about 15 bucks, I was able to stretch it another day. While eating, I met two guys from Hong Kong; then struck up a conversation with a lady from Portland, Ore.

That night, after heavy promotion, the NABJ Sports Task Force threw a party down at Crobar. After evaluating my funds, I chose not to go, I'm not a fan of clubs. When I told my mentor, Kyle Draper, and friend Ronald P. Clark that...they insisted that I go. So I got ready, and made my way out.

Ten bucks for a cab there, 20 bucks for entry, and ten bucks to get back home....40 bucks for a well...well...kind of so-so night. With all of my hustle and bustle, I finally got a chance to get some valuable rest. I woke up around 11 a.m., and it felt great! My body wasn't as restless, and I was ready to make it happen. I like to think of it like this: The greatest thing a person can do is being nice and respectful...the second best thing they can do is sleep.

Now, the Hostelling International Chicago is a place where people from all around the world come and stay. That means if you shower, be sure to wear sandals. After getting ready, I caught the bus for my next session starting at 1:30 p.m., The Off-the-Field Advantage. It was a very informative session, and after the session I met David Aldridge. I actually grew up watching David Aldridge on ESPN. He was really a nice fellow.

Now, a job that I have back at my university called me and told me that I need to fax some papers to them immediately, which put another weight on my shoulders. Luckily, there was a Kinko's in the convention center, and I see how and why Kinko's makes all of there money. I paid $4.64 to go on the Internet and print out a couple of papers...That's an entire meal!

When I wanted to go into the career fair, they had security, checking IDs. Of course, my ID was somewhere on the mean streets of Chicago. So I walked with confidence like I had my ID, then I was stopped. The lady was just doing her job. I told her my story, and she said, "Ok, Imma let you make it this time, but next time have it." I said, "Yes ma'am, thank you," and went on about my business. Her co-worker then said, "You know a replacement badge costs a hundred dollars?" I suddenly turned around and said, "That’s the exact reason I don't have my badge."

I went to the career fair, and went to work. I met up again with veteran journalist Bill Elsen, who is actually one of the funniest men I have ever met. After talking to the Washington Post, I met Ron Nixon from the NY Times.

With persistent and dedicated help from veteran journalist Pearl Stewart (founder of Black College Wire), my ID surfaced...and it was one of the greatest feelings anyone could ever have. The smile on my face strung from ear to ear.

This day was quite light for me, but I'm ready to put in some good time tomorrow, and close it out.

To be continued . . .

Richard White is a student at Prairie View A&M University and a Diversity Institute/Black College Wire multimedia intern for summer 2008.

Articles in the Voices section represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not reflect the views of Black College Wire.