Last year I traveled at the invitation of our Global Dignity Brazil Country Chair, Young Global Leader Ms. Christina Lopes, to participate in their Global Dignity Day celebrations in and for Brazil (more than 50 countries participated on October 17th, 2012 around the world).  I had no idea what I was in for, but when you witness the spirit of the energy of these young people, you cannot help but to be moved.  I actually was hesitant to watch this video, because I knew that I would be both sad, and inspired at the same time. I knew I might cry.  All were true, but ultimately, I was left with an immense feeling of hope for them, for Brazil, and for our world.

A special thank you to GD's Christina Lopes and her sister and family, for making this happen, and for being a sort of a protector for these vulnerable, beautiful young people who must be reminded that their value sits within their being, their spirit, their brain — their God given talents.  Christina and her team provided a sort of a dignity police force, a moral force for good, around this school, on this day. I was proud to be one of her soldiers for change.

As my friend and fellow Global Dignity co-founder Pekka Himanen would say, "let's continue."

A special thank you to Global Dignity, Global Dignity, Brazil, Operation HOPE and Tchau For Now Productions for joining forces to spark the Dignity Brazil movement, October, 2012!! The first of many in Brazil!

 

John Hope Bryant is a thought leader, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass), the only African-American bestselling business author in America, and is chairman of the Subcommittee for the Under-Served and Community Empowerment for the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, for President Barack Obama.  Mr. Bryant is the co-founder of the Gallup-HOPE Index, the only national research poll on youth financial dignity and youth economic energy in the U.S. He is also a co-founder of Global Dignity with HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland. Global Dignity is affiliated with the Forum of Young Global Leaders and the World Economic Forum.  Mr. Bryant is a thought leader represented by the Bright Sight Group for public speaking. Mr. Bryant serves on the board of directors of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (NYSE: ACRE), a specialty finance company that is managed by an affiliate of Ares Management LLC, a global alternative asset manager with approximately $59 billion in committed capital under management as of December 31, 2012. 

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