In the News

Thompson worked for harmony and inclusion from Day One

by Dawn Schuett

December 19, 2005

One of the most challenging times in George Thompson's tenure with the Diversity Council in Rochester occurred within his first year as its executive director.

It was 1996 and racial tension between whites and Somalis had erupted into violence. One incident involved a 12-year-old Somali boy beaten with baseball bats by three men in what was described as a racially motivated assault. The boy lost eight teeth. The three men were convicted and sent to prison.

In the months that followed, Thompson and others in the community rallied to end the violence and promote understanding.

Out of tragedy, Thompson said, came one of the most meaningful projects he worked on while at the Diversity Council. The "Not In Our Town" campaign attempted to bring the community together to denounce racial violence.

Citizens along with schools, businesses, places of worship and higher education institutions all participated.

"We as a community said 'no, no, no,'" Thompson said. "We don't want that kind of stuff."

Dottie Hecht, a Rochester resident who worked with Thompson on the Not In Our Town campaign, said he always was concerned about everyone having a voice in the process.

"I think George is really the epitome of community-building," Hecht said. "Without the Diversity Council and without George's leadership, I don't think we would have the dialogue that we have today or the various groups of people who would be willing to work together."

Not In Our Town evolved into another campaign, "You're the One Who Can Make the Peace." That gradually faded from the public eye, but work on the issues continues through the Diversity Council.

When Thompson started at the council, its Prejudice Reduction Workshops reached about 300 middle school students a year in the Rochester school district. In 2004, the workshops, reached more than 15,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The council also offers educational programs for adults.

Although progress has been made on diversity issues in the past decade, there is more to do, Thompson said.

"Pockets" of the community still aren't safe or welcoming for some residents, and that's not the kind of thing that can change overnight, according to Thompson.

"You create change gradually," he said. "You don't grab people by the neck and say, 'You will accept this.'"

Even though he's retiring, Thompson said, the Diversity Council will benefit from the leadership of Kay Hocker, who will become executive director Jan. 1, and other staff members dedicated to the mission of the organization. Thompson also said he's confident others in Rochester will continue to value diversity.

"The community is in good shape in terms of people who can make a difference or want to make a difference," Thompson said.

Tribute dinner

A tribute dinner to honor George Thompson, who is retiring as executive director of the Diversity Council in Rochester, will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Kahler Grand Hotel.

Tickets are $50 per person. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Diversity Council. Tickets are available by calling the council at 282-9951 or by e-mailing info@diversitycouncil.org.

Biography

Name: George B. Thompson

Age: 63

Family: Wife, Terry; three adult children, George Jr., Jennifer and Darrell; four grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor of science degree in industrial management from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.; master's degree in education from the University of Minnesota.

Career: Industrial engineer and manufacturing manager at IBM in Rochester from 1968 to 1994. He was with the Private Industry Council of Rochester before becoming executive director of the Diversity Council in 1995.

Public service: He has been a member of boards of community, state and national organizations including United Way of Olmsted County; YMCA Big Brothers; Citizens Youth Violence Intervention Council; Family Action Collaboration Educational Services; and Greater Rochester Area University Center. He also has been part of 21st Century Partnership steering, diversity and process teams; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Mayor's Community Response team; Not In Our Town steering team; his church board; and the Rochester Human Rights Commission. He served as adviser to the Rochester Neighborhood Association and District 535 Cultural Diversity Committee to the School Board.

Awards: Thompson has received the Mayor's Medal of Honor, the NAACP 1999 and 2001 awards for community service, and the Indo-American award for public service.

© 2005 Post Bulletin. Used by permission.

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