WINDING DOWN! Our final unofficial month of summer is here. Be sure to get in your last minute get-a-ways, bbq's, and whatever else brings you relaxation! That ice cream looks delectable! I may have to get some of that! |
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The Good Eggs Foundation is once again participating in the Rocket Community Challenge! This amazing yearly event proves to be beneficial to many nonprofits across metro Detroit, including us! This year's Challenge starts today! Monday, August 5 through Friday, August 30. Please check out our page, donate if you can, and pass the word! |
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In July, we egged Courageous Kids! This organization plans fun activities for Southeast Michigan kids and their families who are dealing with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. These activities help kids cope and bring hope to move forward. They also provide emotional support and family bonding experiences. We were able to contribute to their auction with a Family Game Night gift basket. It included a huge variety of games, cards, snacks, popcorn and Target gift cards! How fun! All proceeds from their auction go back to Courageous Kids to help the kids and their families. |
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WHERE ARE THE EGGS THIS MONTH? (Book 2, Chapter 12) August - The Journey Ends The Eggs’ journey came to an end as their plane circled the Statue of Liberty and landed in New York City, where they prepared for a meeting with the United Nations officials to discuss their year. In the morning, Ms. Sullivan from the U.N., along with a committee, met the group in the meeting room and introduced the idea of becoming an Ambassador for other children. She explained that an Ambassador is someone who tries to make the world a better place. The Eggs will become Ambassadors in their own hometown of Albumen to teach others about the places they visited by connecting it to service in their community. After a positive meeting of sharing their learning experiences, the Eggs boarded a plane one last time and headed home for Albumen. This ends Book 2. We will begin Book 3 next month! |
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NOW LET'S HEAR FROM OUR FINAL DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INTERVIEWEE; MEET OUR AUGUST GOOD EGG! |
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Darien Harris, a former Spartan football captain and NFL player, serves as Assistant AD/Business Development & NIL Strategy at Michigan State. Some of his duties include player development, alumni engagement, university outreach, community service, and NIL education to current football student-athletes. He often serves as a contributor on several radio and television shows, including the Big Ten Network. In 2022, he was presented with the Rising Star Award at the 50th Celebration of the Michigan State Communication Arts and Sciences Alumni Awards ceremony. He is also very involved with Kids on the Go - our May Egging! |
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I have been involved with KOTG for several years in different capacities, whether that be helping with fundraising initiatives like hosting a Women's Football Education Clinic, hosting the amazing kids from KOTG at our football facility at MSU, including a post football camp just for them, and |
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most recently, serving on the KOTG DEI Committee. I believe the main function of that committee and my role specifically is from an awareness standpoint. Shining light on how DEI has historical context in this country, the need for it to continue, and why something as simple as opening young people's eyes to what makes us different, yet the same, can be extremely beneficial to their growth as a person. |
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I currently serve as Assistant Athletic Director / Business Development & NIL Strategy. I am responsible for all business development and athlete marketing, and NIL education / event coordination for the department. At Michigan State we have 700 student-athletes and 23 Varsity sports. |
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I work with each of the programs and all student-athletes to ensure that they have a full grasp of NIL, and overall have an outstanding experience as an MSU student-athlete, just as I did. |
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DEI is very prevalent in our program, as we want to ensure that all of our student-athletes have an understanding of MSU's place in the history of collegiate sports. As the school who integrated collegiate football during the 60's, there has always been a social responsibility for us here at MSU to maintain a level of opportunity for everyone. |
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Through my work specifically in the NIL space, I harp on the fact that this space has room for everyone. Inclusion is critical. I spend a lot of time making sure that everyone has a voice in how we go about things, whether that be ethnically, gender associated, sport specfic, religiously, or any other orientation that makes us unique. We have a saying here, a program called "Define U", where the motto is, "We recruited you, for YOU. We don't have to REdefine anyone, but rather we want to better amplify who YOU are and tell YOUR story, because it resonates with someone." We are big on that here. Your brand, Your story - giving our student-athletes a voice and a platform to share their own individual journey. |
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I do see DEI awareness continuing to grow. There is strength in community and the better we can interweave unique experiences and educate one another, while also ensuring that minority groups feel seen and that they have a voice, a strong voice, the better. |
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DEI is a continued work in progress and I never want to see it watered down into just a hashtag or meme, or something of a negative connotation. There is always room for more education. DEI provides that. We should have a willingness to learn about history whilst also celebrating how far we have come, and yet how far we still need to go. I am optimistic that collegiate sports can lead the charge in the right direction. |
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Wow, Darien - I can't think of a better way to wrap up our DEI interviews for the year! Thank you for your insight and commitment to this important and much-needed work. MSU will be reaping tremendous benefits under your leadership! Go green! (Go White!) |
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See you in September! Kindly, Sandy Sandy (Ciaramitaro) Mals Author, Founder and President The Good Eggs Foundation The Good Eggs Media |
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"Every child has the capacity to be everything." - Doris Lessing |
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