[Music]
[Music] hey guys how are you
welcome to TEDx Detroit started with 300
welcome to TEDx Detroit started with 300 people ten years ago 3000 people signed
people ten years ago 3000 people signed
people ten years ago 3000 people signed up to be here today most of which are
up to be here today most of which are
up to be here today most of which are here some of which are still parking and
here some of which are still parking and
here some of which are still parking and I got to tell you it’s a beautiful thing
I got to tell you it’s a beautiful thing
I got to tell you it’s a beautiful thing because I think that tell us the story
because I think that tell us the story
because I think that tell us the story of a great American city on the comeback
of a great American city on the comeback
of a great American city on the comeback when you can fill seats when you get
when you can fill seats when you get
when you can fill seats when you get butts in seats you’ve changed something
butts in seats you’ve changed something
butts in seats you’ve changed something and the conversation has changed too but
and the conversation has changed too but
and the conversation has changed too but it all started with a word and that word
it all started with a word and that word
it all started with a word and that word is rejection and I wanted to talk to you
is rejection and I wanted to talk to you
is rejection and I wanted to talk to you today about what you’re gonna learn in
today about what you’re gonna learn in
today about what you’re gonna learn in the next seven and minutes and 18
the next seven and minutes and 18
the next seven and minutes and 18 seconds the clock is ticking I’m gonna
seconds the clock is ticking I’m gonna
seconds the clock is ticking I’m gonna tell you why rejection is really good
tell you why rejection is really good
tell you why rejection is really good for you and think about the things that
for you and think about the things that
for you and think about the things that are really good for you things are good
are really good for you things are good
are really good for you things are good for you that really hurt exercise eating
for you that really hurt exercise eating
for you that really hurt exercise eating vegetables ah disgusting I’m still an
vegetables ah disgusting I’m still an
vegetables ah disgusting I’m still an eight-year-old inside can’t stand them
eight-year-old inside can’t stand them
eight-year-old inside can’t stand them but you eat good things you do good
but you eat good things you do good
but you eat good things you do good things because well even if it hurts
things because well even if it hurts
things because well even if it hurts there’s a greater good rejection is that
there’s a greater good rejection is that
there’s a greater good rejection is that greater good my friends and I’m here to
greater good my friends and I’m here to
greater good my friends and I’m here to tell you that if 35 years ago you said
tell you that if 35 years ago you said
tell you that if 35 years ago you said to a young root proj at Hamilton
to a young root proj at Hamilton
to a young root proj at Hamilton elementary school in Troy Michigan that
elementary school in Troy Michigan that
elementary school in Troy Michigan that you’re gonna be on stage in front of
you’re gonna be on stage in front of
you’re gonna be on stage in front of thousands of people in the town that you
thousands of people in the town that you
thousands of people in the town that you love more than any other town in the
love more than any other town in the
love more than any other town in the world I would say you’re crazy and the
world I would say you’re crazy and the
world I would say you’re crazy and the reason I would say you’re crazy is
reason I would say you’re crazy is
reason I would say you’re crazy is because I couldn’t pronounce my asses or
because I couldn’t pronounce my asses or
because I couldn’t pronounce my asses or my T’s when I was growing up so I had a
my T’s when I was growing up so I had a
my T’s when I was growing up so I had a speech therapist every day about three
speech therapist every day about three
speech therapist every day about three hours into my school day pull me out of
hours into my school day pull me out of
hours into my school day pull me out of the class embarrassingly and put a
the class embarrassingly and put a
the class embarrassingly and put a pop-can tab between my lip and my tongue
pop-can tab between my lip and my tongue
pop-can tab between my lip and my tongue so I could properly do my asses and my
so I could properly do my asses and my
so I could properly do my asses and my teas I was rejected not just by the fact
teas I was rejected not just by the fact
teas I was rejected not just by the fact that I couldn’t just talk like a normal
that I couldn’t just talk like a normal
that I couldn’t just talk like a normal kid but the fact that my name was Ruth
kid but the fact that my name was Ruth
kid but the fact that my name was Ruth and it rhymes with all kinds of awful
and it rhymes with all kinds of awful
and it rhymes with all kinds of awful things didn’t help
things didn’t help
things didn’t help mom and dad thank you for the name
mom and dad thank you for the name
mom and dad thank you for the name because it soon became Rupe there it is
because it soon became Rupe there it is
because it soon became Rupe there it is root dog the roof is on fire we don’t
root dog the roof is on fire we don’t
root dog the roof is on fire we don’t need no water let the nevermind
need no water let the nevermind
need no water let the nevermind but the rejection I felt from my peers
but the rejection I felt from my peers
but the rejection I felt from my peers at that time actually shaped my life it
at that time actually shaped my life it
at that time actually shaped my life it shaped the guy who I am it shapes the
shaped the guy who I am it shapes the
shaped the guy who I am it shapes the fact that I’m standing in front of you
fact that I’m standing in front of you
fact that I’m standing in front of you today and then there was a second
today and then there was a second
today and then there was a second rejection the rejection came from people
rejection the rejection came from people
rejection the rejection came from people who look just like me we like to think
who look just like me we like to think
who look just like me we like to think of rejection coming from people who look
of rejection coming from people who look
of rejection coming from people who look differently than us because
differently than us because
differently than us because conventionally when we think about
conventionally when we think about
conventionally when we think about racism and we think about discrimination
racism and we think about discrimination
racism and we think about discrimination we think about people who are markedly
we think about people who are markedly
we think about people who are markedly different than us who don’t get us and
different than us who don’t get us and
different than us who don’t get us and the fact that they look at us so
the fact that they look at us so
the fact that they look at us so differently but the people who are
differently but the people who are
differently but the people who are telling me that people look who look
telling me that people look who look
telling me that people look who look like me don’t belong on television were
like me don’t belong on television were
like me don’t belong on television were Indian Americans Indian Americans were
Indian Americans Indian Americans were
Indian Americans Indian Americans were telling me at family get-togethers and
telling me at family get-togethers and
telling me at family get-togethers and at parties son this isn’t for you son
at parties son this isn’t for you son
at parties son this isn’t for you son I know this is your dream this isn’t
I know this is your dream this isn’t
I know this is your dream this isn’t what it’s about and I would say but look
what it’s about and I would say but look
what it’s about and I would say but look there’s Sanjay Gupta CNN he looks like
there’s Sanjay Gupta CNN he looks like
there’s Sanjay Gupta CNN he looks like us and they’d say yeah but he’s a doctor
us and they’d say yeah but he’s a doctor
us and they’d say yeah but he’s a doctor and yes so all the Indians were telling
and yes so all the Indians were telling
and yes so all the Indians were telling me become a doctor an engineer because
me become a doctor an engineer because
me become a doctor an engineer because it’s safe so I got rejected by my own
it’s safe so I got rejected by my own
it’s safe so I got rejected by my own people for 20 years until I made it to
people for 20 years until I made it to
people for 20 years until I made it to Detroit and a lot of those wonderful
Detroit and a lot of those wonderful
Detroit and a lot of those wonderful people now say they always supported me
people now say they always supported me
people now say they always supported me growing up and I thank them for their
growing up and I thank them for their
growing up and I thank them for their support and their blessings and I know
support and their blessings and I know
support and their blessings and I know that it came from a place of fear and I
that it came from a place of fear and I
that it came from a place of fear and I don’t blame them immigrants coming to
don’t blame them immigrants coming to
don’t blame them immigrants coming to this country in the 70s want the best
this country in the 70s want the best
this country in the 70s want the best for their kids I get it but I’m here to
for their kids I get it but I’m here to
for their kids I get it but I’m here to tell you a little bit about the
tell you a little bit about the
tell you a little bit about the rejection and why it’s actually good for
rejection and why it’s actually good for
rejection and why it’s actually good for you failure means there’s a finality
you failure means there’s a finality
you failure means there’s a finality game over you’re done that’s not what
game over you’re done that’s not what
game over you’re done that’s not what we’re talking about here we’re talking
we’re talking about here we’re talking
we’re talking about here we’re talking about rejection Detroit and New Orleans
about rejection Detroit and New Orleans
about rejection Detroit and New Orleans two great American cities both faced
two great American cities both faced
two great American cities both faced immense rejection not just once not
immense rejection not just once not
immense rejection not just once not twice but over the course of many years
twice but over the course of many years
twice but over the course of many years but that was a simple detour for these
but that was a simple detour for these
but that was a simple detour for these two great American cities and for
two great American cities and for
two great American cities and for perhaps you sitting in the audience
perhaps you sitting in the audience
perhaps you sitting in the audience right now rejection creates a blueprint
right now rejection creates a blueprint
right now rejection creates a blueprint for your future it literally is the
for your future it literally is the
for your future it literally is the universe telling you what it is that
universe telling you what it is that
universe telling you what it is that worked and didn’t work and it gives you
worked and didn’t work and it gives you
worked and didn’t work and it gives you a blueprint so that you can move forward
a blueprint so that you can move forward
a blueprint so that you can move forward and it allows you to do a couple things
and it allows you to do a couple things
and it allows you to do a couple things the first retreat like a turtle in a
the first retreat like a turtle in a
the first retreat like a turtle in a shell you get rejected you move away it
shell you get rejected you move away it
shell you get rejected you move away it could be a date a job interview a new
could be a date a job interview a new
could be a date a job interview a new idea at work and you get rejected so you
idea at work and you get rejected so you
idea at work and you get rejected so you retreat you go back to your office then
retreat you go back to your office then
retreat you go back to your office then you
you
you rethink what happened here how did this
rethink what happened here how did this
rethink what happened here how did this work why didn’t it work how can I make
work why didn’t it work how can I make
work why didn’t it work how can I make it work better and then you reinvent the
it work better and then you reinvent the
it work better and then you reinvent the most powerful step in that that that
most powerful step in that that that
most powerful step in that that that three prong approach reinvention and
three prong approach reinvention and
three prong approach reinvention and that reinvention comes from that
that reinvention comes from that
that reinvention comes from that blueprint that you put together so
blueprint that you put together so
blueprint that you put together so rejection asks the question what could
rejection asks the question what could
rejection asks the question what could it have been most leave it here I say
it have been most leave it here I say
it have been most leave it here I say your answer is I will make it what it
your answer is I will make it what it
your answer is I will make it what it should be and that blueprint is you 2001
should be and that blueprint is you 2001
should be and that blueprint is you 2001 24 years old Flint Michigan I’m doing
24 years old Flint Michigan I’m doing
24 years old Flint Michigan I’m doing the news and I said look do I go to
the news and I said look do I go to
the news and I said look do I go to Akron Milwaukee or New Orleans for my
Akron Milwaukee or New Orleans for my
Akron Milwaukee or New Orleans for my next job and this was six months after
next job and this was six months after
next job and this was six months after 9/11 just lay out the stage for you a
9/11 just lay out the stage for you a
9/11 just lay out the stage for you a brown guy applying to New Orleans
brown guy applying to New Orleans
brown guy applying to New Orleans Louisiana six months after 9/11 Indian
Louisiana six months after 9/11 Indian
Louisiana six months after 9/11 Indian American was not American enough where
American was not American enough where
American was not American enough where is this guy from who is he so one of the
is this guy from who is he so one of the
is this guy from who is he so one of the biggest advertisers in New Orleans
biggest advertisers in New Orleans
biggest advertisers in New Orleans pulled and threatened to pull
pulled and threatened to pull
pulled and threatened to pull advertising on several spots where I was
advertising on several spots where I was
advertising on several spots where I was appearing on the television news a
appearing on the television news a
appearing on the television news a 25-year old Indian American from Troy
25-year old Indian American from Troy
25-year old Indian American from Troy Michigan being told he doesn’t look like
Michigan being told he doesn’t look like
Michigan being told he doesn’t look like us were afraid so the advertiser said no
us were afraid so the advertiser said no
us were afraid so the advertiser said no way people started publishing articles
way people started publishing articles
way people started publishing articles in the paper letters to the editor down
in the paper letters to the editor down
in the paper letters to the editor down south saying where is this guy from is
south saying where is this guy from is
south saying where is this guy from is he from the axis of evil and I thought I
he from the axis of evil and I thought I
he from the axis of evil and I thought I never knew that Troy Michigan was in the
never knew that Troy Michigan was in the
never knew that Troy Michigan was in the axis of evil I had no idea all this time
axis of evil I had no idea all this time
axis of evil I had no idea all this time I grew up there and I had no idea so I
I grew up there and I had no idea so I
I grew up there and I had no idea so I didn’t unpack a bag rejection was still
didn’t unpack a bag rejection was still
didn’t unpack a bag rejection was still happening but it sent me right to the
happening but it sent me right to the
happening but it sent me right to the blueprint right to the drawing board and
blueprint right to the drawing board and
blueprint right to the drawing board and I thought I have to retreat’ rethink and
I thought I have to retreat’ rethink and
I thought I have to retreat’ rethink and reinvent and so what did I do
reinvent and so what did I do
reinvent and so what did I do I took advice from my mentor Huell
I took advice from my mentor Huell
I took advice from my mentor Huell Perkins here in Detroit
Perkins here in Detroit
Perkins here in Detroit he said shake every hand you shake and
he said shake every hand you shake and
he said shake every hand you shake and be real be genuine be yourself tell them
be real be genuine be yourself tell them
be real be genuine be yourself tell them you want to do well and you want to do
you want to do well and you want to do
you want to do well and you want to do any civic engagement they invite you to
any civic engagement they invite you to
any civic engagement they invite you to so I would do anything there is there I
so I would do anything there is there I
so I would do anything there is there I am I don’t even know what engagement
am I don’t even know what engagement
am I don’t even know what engagement that was there was like four people
that was there was like four people
that was there was like four people there and they weren’t even in the
there and they weren’t even in the
there and they weren’t even in the audience they were behind me I’m like
audience they were behind me I’m like
audience they were behind me I’m like what are we doing next year so we did it
what are we doing next year so we did it
what are we doing next year so we did it ratings shot up the advertiser called
ratings shot up the advertiser called
ratings shot up the advertiser called back said we’d like you to come shop at
back said we’d like you to come shop at
back said we’d like you to come shop at our place and buy some clothes I said no
our place and buy some clothes I said no
our place and buy some clothes I said no thanks but I’m gonna unpack my own
thanks but I’m gonna unpack my own
thanks but I’m gonna unpack my own clothes from my own box and I did the
clothes from my own box and I did the
clothes from my own box and I did the ultimate rejection happened to that
ultimate rejection happened to that
ultimate rejection happened to that great city the people of New Orleans
great city the people of New Orleans
great city the people of New Orleans accepted me invited me to more Christmas
accepted me invited me to more Christmas
accepted me invited me to more Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners and I’ve ever
and Thanksgiving dinners and I’ve ever
and Thanksgiving dinners and I’ve ever been invited to anywhere else in the
been invited to anywhere else in the
been invited to anywhere else in the world some of the warmest most wonderful
world some of the warmest most wonderful
world some of the warmest most wonderful people I met my wife there Julie 30-plus
people I met my wife there Julie 30-plus
people I met my wife there Julie 30-plus years they asked
years they asked
years they asked feds for help they were told no they had
feds for help they were told no they had
feds for help they were told no they had to go back they said we have to figure
to go back they said we have to figure
to go back they said we have to figure out a way it’s not okay Katrina told us
out a way it’s not okay Katrina told us
out a way it’s not okay Katrina told us this needs to change the social
this needs to change the social
this needs to change the social injustice the way black Americans were
injustice the way black Americans were
injustice the way black Americans were treated on the rooftops as coast guards
treated on the rooftops as coast guards
treated on the rooftops as coast guards plucked them Coast Guard helicopters
plucked them Coast Guard helicopters
plucked them Coast Guard helicopters plucked them from the top of the roof
plucked them from the top of the roof
plucked them from the top of the roof rejection forced reinvention and good
rejection forced reinvention and good
rejection forced reinvention and good things happen it led to amazing things
things happen it led to amazing things
things happen it led to amazing things the schools got better the whole
the schools got better the whole
the schools got better the whole population is doing better today than
population is doing better today than
population is doing better today than before Katrina because Katrina happened
before Katrina because Katrina happened
before Katrina because Katrina happened Katrina was rejection
Katrina was rejection
Katrina was rejection guess what Detroit we all know the story
guess what Detroit we all know the story
guess what Detroit we all know the story of Amazon it told us this the QS
of Amazon it told us this the QS
of Amazon it told us this the QS workforce mobility hotel space education
workforce mobility hotel space education
workforce mobility hotel space education we say thank you and we retreat we
we say thank you and we retreat we
we say thank you and we retreat we rethink and we reinvent I was rejected
rethink and we reinvent I was rejected
rethink and we reinvent I was rejected six times from channel two Roop you’re
six times from channel two Roop you’re
six times from channel two Roop you’re just not you so I came back and I said
just not you so I came back and I said
just not you so I came back and I said how do I do this the big interview was
how do I do this the big interview was
how do I do this the big interview was coming up the interview was number seven
coming up the interview was number seven
coming up the interview was number seven I in applied to channel two seven times
I in applied to channel two seven times
I in applied to channel two seven times the sixth time I thought I’m gonna be
the sixth time I thought I’m gonna be
the sixth time I thought I’m gonna be myself the blueprint said I got a
myself the blueprint said I got a
myself the blueprint said I got a rethink revive and reinvent and I did
rethink revive and reinvent and I did
rethink revive and reinvent and I did but I did say in the job interview I’m
but I did say in the job interview I’m
but I did say in the job interview I’m done with festivals I’m done Mardi Gras
done with festivals I’m done Mardi Gras
done with festivals I’m done Mardi Gras I don’t like it I’m glad to be in
I don’t like it I’m glad to be in
I don’t like it I’m glad to be in Detroit my boss said we love festivals I
Detroit my boss said we love festivals I
Detroit my boss said we love festivals I thought great but the bottom line is I
thought great but the bottom line is I
thought great but the bottom line is I said I’m not into Emmys I don’t want to
said I’m not into Emmys I don’t want to
said I’m not into Emmys I don’t want to win an award I don’t want I don’t really
win an award I don’t want I don’t really
win an award I don’t want I don’t really care about the ratings I know I just
care about the ratings I know I just
care about the ratings I know I just want to tell the stories and people of
want to tell the stories and people of
want to tell the stories and people of Detroit the blueprint said B you say
Detroit the blueprint said B you say
Detroit the blueprint said B you say what you believe and stay real I did it
what you believe and stay real I did it
what you believe and stay real I did it and I stand here nine years later
and I stand here nine years later
and I stand here nine years later anchoring the 5:30 and 6:30 news
anchoring the 5:30 and 6:30 news
anchoring the 5:30 and 6:30 news alongside the very mentor who told me to
alongside the very mentor who told me to
alongside the very mentor who told me to shake every hand who’s in the audience
shake every hand who’s in the audience
shake every hand who’s in the audience today who will Perkins and
and I do that not not despite rejection
and I do that not not despite rejection I do it because of rejection
I do it because of rejection
I do it because of rejection I invite you when rejection writes you a
I invite you when rejection writes you a
I invite you when rejection writes you a letter to write one back
letter to write one back
letter to write one back make it a thank you note and then make
make it a thank you note and then make
make it a thank you note and then make it your blueprint thank you loved you
it your blueprint thank you loved you
it your blueprint thank you loved you Detroit
Detroit
Detroit [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music] hey guys how are you
welcome to TEDx Detroit started with 300
welcome to TEDx Detroit started with 300 people ten years ago 3000 people signed
people ten years ago 3000 people signed
people ten years ago 3000 people signed up to be here today most of which are
up to be here today most of which are
up to be here today most of which are here some of which are still parking and
here some of which are still parking and
here some of which are still parking and I got to tell you it’s a beautiful thing
I got to tell you it’s a beautiful thing
I got to tell you it’s a beautiful thing because I think that tell us the story
because I think that tell us the story
because I think that tell us the story of a great American city on the comeback
of a great American city on the comeback
of a great American city on the comeback when you can fill seats when you get
when you can fill seats when you get
when you can fill seats when you get butts in seats you’ve changed something
butts in seats you’ve changed something
butts in seats you’ve changed something and the conversation has changed too but
and the conversation has changed too but
and the conversation has changed too but it all started with a word and that word
it all started with a word and that word
it all started with a word and that word is rejection and I wanted to talk to you
is rejection and I wanted to talk to you
is rejection and I wanted to talk to you today about what you’re gonna learn in
today about what you’re gonna learn in
today about what you’re gonna learn in the next seven and minutes and 18
the next seven and minutes and 18
the next seven and minutes and 18 seconds the clock is ticking I’m gonna
seconds the clock is ticking I’m gonna
seconds the clock is ticking I’m gonna tell you why rejection is really good
tell you why rejection is really good
tell you why rejection is really good for you and think about the things that
for you and think about the things that
for you and think about the things that are really good for you things are good
are really good for you things are good
are really good for you things are good for you that really hurt exercise eating
for you that really hurt exercise eating
for you that really hurt exercise eating vegetables ah disgusting I’m still an
vegetables ah disgusting I’m still an
vegetables ah disgusting I’m still an eight-year-old inside can’t stand them
eight-year-old inside can’t stand them
eight-year-old inside can’t stand them but you eat good things you do good
but you eat good things you do good
but you eat good things you do good things because well even if it hurts
things because well even if it hurts
things because well even if it hurts there’s a greater good rejection is that
there’s a greater good rejection is that
there’s a greater good rejection is that greater good my friends and I’m here to
greater good my friends and I’m here to
greater good my friends and I’m here to tell you that if 35 years ago you said
tell you that if 35 years ago you said
tell you that if 35 years ago you said to a young root proj at Hamilton
to a young root proj at Hamilton
to a young root proj at Hamilton elementary school in Troy Michigan that
elementary school in Troy Michigan that
elementary school in Troy Michigan that you’re gonna be on stage in front of
you’re gonna be on stage in front of
you’re gonna be on stage in front of thousands of people in the town that you
thousands of people in the town that you
thousands of people in the town that you love more than any other town in the
love more than any other town in the
love more than any other town in the world I would say you’re crazy and the
world I would say you’re crazy and the
world I would say you’re crazy and the reason I would say you’re crazy is
reason I would say you’re crazy is
reason I would say you’re crazy is because I couldn’t pronounce my asses or
because I couldn’t pronounce my asses or
because I couldn’t pronounce my asses or my T’s when I was growing up so I had a
my T’s when I was growing up so I had a
my T’s when I was growing up so I had a speech therapist every day about three
speech therapist every day about three
speech therapist every day about three hours into my school day pull me out of
hours into my school day pull me out of
hours into my school day pull me out of the class embarrassingly and put a
the class embarrassingly and put a
the class embarrassingly and put a pop-can tab between my lip and my tongue
pop-can tab between my lip and my tongue
pop-can tab between my lip and my tongue so I could properly do my asses and my
so I could properly do my asses and my
so I could properly do my asses and my teas I was rejected not just by the fact
teas I was rejected not just by the fact
teas I was rejected not just by the fact that I couldn’t just talk like a normal
that I couldn’t just talk like a normal
that I couldn’t just talk like a normal kid but the fact that my name was Ruth
kid but the fact that my name was Ruth
kid but the fact that my name was Ruth and it rhymes with all kinds of awful
and it rhymes with all kinds of awful
and it rhymes with all kinds of awful things didn’t help
things didn’t help
things didn’t help mom and dad thank you for the name
mom and dad thank you for the name
mom and dad thank you for the name because it soon became Rupe there it is
because it soon became Rupe there it is
because it soon became Rupe there it is root dog the roof is on fire we don’t
root dog the roof is on fire we don’t
root dog the roof is on fire we don’t need no water let the nevermind
need no water let the nevermind
need no water let the nevermind but the rejection I felt from my peers
but the rejection I felt from my peers
but the rejection I felt from my peers at that time actually shaped my life it
at that time actually shaped my life it
at that time actually shaped my life it shaped the guy who I am it shapes the
shaped the guy who I am it shapes the
shaped the guy who I am it shapes the fact that I’m standing in front of you
fact that I’m standing in front of you
fact that I’m standing in front of you today and then there was a second
today and then there was a second
today and then there was a second rejection the rejection came from people
rejection the rejection came from people
rejection the rejection came from people who look just like me we like to think
who look just like me we like to think
who look just like me we like to think of rejection coming from people who look
of rejection coming from people who look
of rejection coming from people who look differently than us because
differently than us because
differently than us because conventionally when we think about
conventionally when we think about
conventionally when we think about racism and we think about discrimination
racism and we think about discrimination
racism and we think about discrimination we think about people who are markedly
we think about people who are markedly
we think about people who are markedly different than us who don’t get us and
different than us who don’t get us and
different than us who don’t get us and the fact that they look at us so
the fact that they look at us so
the fact that they look at us so differently but the people who are
differently but the people who are
differently but the people who are telling me that people look who look
telling me that people look who look
telling me that people look who look like me don’t belong on television were
like me don’t belong on television were
like me don’t belong on television were Indian Americans Indian Americans were
Indian Americans Indian Americans were
Indian Americans Indian Americans were telling me at family get-togethers and
telling me at family get-togethers and
telling me at family get-togethers and at parties son this isn’t for you son
at parties son this isn’t for you son
at parties son this isn’t for you son I know this is your dream this isn’t
I know this is your dream this isn’t
I know this is your dream this isn’t what it’s about and I would say but look
what it’s about and I would say but look
what it’s about and I would say but look there’s Sanjay Gupta CNN he looks like
there’s Sanjay Gupta CNN he looks like
there’s Sanjay Gupta CNN he looks like us and they’d say yeah but he’s a doctor
us and they’d say yeah but he’s a doctor
us and they’d say yeah but he’s a doctor and yes so all the Indians were telling
and yes so all the Indians were telling
and yes so all the Indians were telling me become a doctor an engineer because
me become a doctor an engineer because
me become a doctor an engineer because it’s safe so I got rejected by my own
it’s safe so I got rejected by my own
it’s safe so I got rejected by my own people for 20 years until I made it to
people for 20 years until I made it to
people for 20 years until I made it to Detroit and a lot of those wonderful
Detroit and a lot of those wonderful
Detroit and a lot of those wonderful people now say they always supported me
people now say they always supported me
people now say they always supported me growing up and I thank them for their
growing up and I thank them for their
growing up and I thank them for their support and their blessings and I know
support and their blessings and I know
support and their blessings and I know that it came from a place of fear and I
that it came from a place of fear and I
that it came from a place of fear and I don’t blame them immigrants coming to
don’t blame them immigrants coming to
don’t blame them immigrants coming to this country in the 70s want the best
this country in the 70s want the best
this country in the 70s want the best for their kids I get it but I’m here to
for their kids I get it but I’m here to
for their kids I get it but I’m here to tell you a little bit about the
tell you a little bit about the
tell you a little bit about the rejection and why it’s actually good for
rejection and why it’s actually good for
rejection and why it’s actually good for you failure means there’s a finality
you failure means there’s a finality
you failure means there’s a finality game over you’re done that’s not what
game over you’re done that’s not what
game over you’re done that’s not what we’re talking about here we’re talking
we’re talking about here we’re talking
we’re talking about here we’re talking about rejection Detroit and New Orleans
about rejection Detroit and New Orleans
about rejection Detroit and New Orleans two great American cities both faced
two great American cities both faced
two great American cities both faced immense rejection not just once not
immense rejection not just once not
immense rejection not just once not twice but over the course of many years
twice but over the course of many years
twice but over the course of many years but that was a simple detour for these
but that was a simple detour for these
but that was a simple detour for these two great American cities and for
two great American cities and for
two great American cities and for perhaps you sitting in the audience
perhaps you sitting in the audience
perhaps you sitting in the audience right now rejection creates a blueprint
right now rejection creates a blueprint
right now rejection creates a blueprint for your future it literally is the
for your future it literally is the
for your future it literally is the universe telling you what it is that
universe telling you what it is that
universe telling you what it is that worked and didn’t work and it gives you
worked and didn’t work and it gives you
worked and didn’t work and it gives you a blueprint so that you can move forward
a blueprint so that you can move forward
a blueprint so that you can move forward and it allows you to do a couple things
and it allows you to do a couple things
and it allows you to do a couple things the first retreat like a turtle in a
the first retreat like a turtle in a
the first retreat like a turtle in a shell you get rejected you move away it
shell you get rejected you move away it
shell you get rejected you move away it could be a date a job interview a new
could be a date a job interview a new
could be a date a job interview a new idea at work and you get rejected so you
idea at work and you get rejected so you
idea at work and you get rejected so you retreat you go back to your office then
retreat you go back to your office then
retreat you go back to your office then you
you
you rethink what happened here how did this
rethink what happened here how did this
rethink what happened here how did this work why didn’t it work how can I make
work why didn’t it work how can I make
work why didn’t it work how can I make it work better and then you reinvent the
it work better and then you reinvent the
it work better and then you reinvent the most powerful step in that that that
most powerful step in that that that
most powerful step in that that that three prong approach reinvention and
three prong approach reinvention and
three prong approach reinvention and that reinvention comes from that
that reinvention comes from that
that reinvention comes from that blueprint that you put together so
blueprint that you put together so
blueprint that you put together so rejection asks the question what could
rejection asks the question what could
rejection asks the question what could it have been most leave it here I say
it have been most leave it here I say
it have been most leave it here I say your answer is I will make it what it
your answer is I will make it what it
your answer is I will make it what it should be and that blueprint is you 2001
should be and that blueprint is you 2001
should be and that blueprint is you 2001 24 years old Flint Michigan I’m doing
24 years old Flint Michigan I’m doing
24 years old Flint Michigan I’m doing the news and I said look do I go to
the news and I said look do I go to
the news and I said look do I go to Akron Milwaukee or New Orleans for my
Akron Milwaukee or New Orleans for my
Akron Milwaukee or New Orleans for my next job and this was six months after
next job and this was six months after
next job and this was six months after 9/11 just lay out the stage for you a
9/11 just lay out the stage for you a
9/11 just lay out the stage for you a brown guy applying to New Orleans
brown guy applying to New Orleans
brown guy applying to New Orleans Louisiana six months after 9/11 Indian
Louisiana six months after 9/11 Indian
Louisiana six months after 9/11 Indian American was not American enough where
American was not American enough where
American was not American enough where is this guy from who is he so one of the
is this guy from who is he so one of the
is this guy from who is he so one of the biggest advertisers in New Orleans
biggest advertisers in New Orleans
biggest advertisers in New Orleans pulled and threatened to pull
pulled and threatened to pull
pulled and threatened to pull advertising on several spots where I was
advertising on several spots where I was
advertising on several spots where I was appearing on the television news a
appearing on the television news a
appearing on the television news a 25-year old Indian American from Troy
25-year old Indian American from Troy
25-year old Indian American from Troy Michigan being told he doesn’t look like
Michigan being told he doesn’t look like
Michigan being told he doesn’t look like us were afraid so the advertiser said no
us were afraid so the advertiser said no
us were afraid so the advertiser said no way people started publishing articles
way people started publishing articles
way people started publishing articles in the paper letters to the editor down
in the paper letters to the editor down
in the paper letters to the editor down south saying where is this guy from is
south saying where is this guy from is
south saying where is this guy from is he from the axis of evil and I thought I
he from the axis of evil and I thought I
he from the axis of evil and I thought I never knew that Troy Michigan was in the
never knew that Troy Michigan was in the
never knew that Troy Michigan was in the axis of evil I had no idea all this time
axis of evil I had no idea all this time
axis of evil I had no idea all this time I grew up there and I had no idea so I
I grew up there and I had no idea so I
I grew up there and I had no idea so I didn’t unpack a bag rejection was still
didn’t unpack a bag rejection was still
didn’t unpack a bag rejection was still happening but it sent me right to the
happening but it sent me right to the
happening but it sent me right to the blueprint right to the drawing board and
blueprint right to the drawing board and
blueprint right to the drawing board and I thought I have to retreat’ rethink and
I thought I have to retreat’ rethink and
I thought I have to retreat’ rethink and reinvent and so what did I do
reinvent and so what did I do
reinvent and so what did I do I took advice from my mentor Huell
I took advice from my mentor Huell
I took advice from my mentor Huell Perkins here in Detroit
Perkins here in Detroit
Perkins here in Detroit he said shake every hand you shake and
he said shake every hand you shake and
he said shake every hand you shake and be real be genuine be yourself tell them
be real be genuine be yourself tell them
be real be genuine be yourself tell them you want to do well and you want to do
you want to do well and you want to do
you want to do well and you want to do any civic engagement they invite you to
any civic engagement they invite you to
any civic engagement they invite you to so I would do anything there is there I
so I would do anything there is there I
so I would do anything there is there I am I don’t even know what engagement
am I don’t even know what engagement
am I don’t even know what engagement that was there was like four people
that was there was like four people
that was there was like four people there and they weren’t even in the
there and they weren’t even in the
there and they weren’t even in the audience they were behind me I’m like
audience they were behind me I’m like
audience they were behind me I’m like what are we doing next year so we did it
what are we doing next year so we did it
what are we doing next year so we did it ratings shot up the advertiser called
ratings shot up the advertiser called
ratings shot up the advertiser called back said we’d like you to come shop at
back said we’d like you to come shop at
back said we’d like you to come shop at our place and buy some clothes I said no
our place and buy some clothes I said no
our place and buy some clothes I said no thanks but I’m gonna unpack my own
thanks but I’m gonna unpack my own
thanks but I’m gonna unpack my own clothes from my own box and I did the
clothes from my own box and I did the
clothes from my own box and I did the ultimate rejection happened to that
ultimate rejection happened to that
ultimate rejection happened to that great city the people of New Orleans
great city the people of New Orleans
great city the people of New Orleans accepted me invited me to more Christmas
accepted me invited me to more Christmas
accepted me invited me to more Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners and I’ve ever
and Thanksgiving dinners and I’ve ever
and Thanksgiving dinners and I’ve ever been invited to anywhere else in the
been invited to anywhere else in the
been invited to anywhere else in the world some of the warmest most wonderful
world some of the warmest most wonderful
world some of the warmest most wonderful people I met my wife there Julie 30-plus
people I met my wife there Julie 30-plus
people I met my wife there Julie 30-plus years they asked
years they asked
years they asked feds for help they were told no they had
feds for help they were told no they had
feds for help they were told no they had to go back they said we have to figure
to go back they said we have to figure
to go back they said we have to figure out a way it’s not okay Katrina told us
out a way it’s not okay Katrina told us
out a way it’s not okay Katrina told us this needs to change the social
this needs to change the social
this needs to change the social injustice the way black Americans were
injustice the way black Americans were
injustice the way black Americans were treated on the rooftops as coast guards
treated on the rooftops as coast guards
treated on the rooftops as coast guards plucked them Coast Guard helicopters
plucked them Coast Guard helicopters
plucked them Coast Guard helicopters plucked them from the top of the roof
plucked them from the top of the roof
plucked them from the top of the roof rejection forced reinvention and good
rejection forced reinvention and good
rejection forced reinvention and good things happen it led to amazing things
things happen it led to amazing things
things happen it led to amazing things the schools got better the whole
the schools got better the whole
the schools got better the whole population is doing better today than
population is doing better today than
population is doing better today than before Katrina because Katrina happened
before Katrina because Katrina happened
before Katrina because Katrina happened Katrina was rejection
Katrina was rejection
Katrina was rejection guess what Detroit we all know the story
guess what Detroit we all know the story
guess what Detroit we all know the story of Amazon it told us this the QS
of Amazon it told us this the QS
of Amazon it told us this the QS workforce mobility hotel space education
workforce mobility hotel space education
workforce mobility hotel space education we say thank you and we retreat we
we say thank you and we retreat we
we say thank you and we retreat we rethink and we reinvent I was rejected
rethink and we reinvent I was rejected
rethink and we reinvent I was rejected six times from channel two Roop you’re
six times from channel two Roop you’re
six times from channel two Roop you’re just not you so I came back and I said
just not you so I came back and I said
just not you so I came back and I said how do I do this the big interview was
how do I do this the big interview was
how do I do this the big interview was coming up the interview was number seven
coming up the interview was number seven
coming up the interview was number seven I in applied to channel two seven times
I in applied to channel two seven times
I in applied to channel two seven times the sixth time I thought I’m gonna be
the sixth time I thought I’m gonna be
the sixth time I thought I’m gonna be myself the blueprint said I got a
myself the blueprint said I got a
myself the blueprint said I got a rethink revive and reinvent and I did
rethink revive and reinvent and I did
rethink revive and reinvent and I did but I did say in the job interview I’m
but I did say in the job interview I’m
but I did say in the job interview I’m done with festivals I’m done Mardi Gras
done with festivals I’m done Mardi Gras
done with festivals I’m done Mardi Gras I don’t like it I’m glad to be in
I don’t like it I’m glad to be in
I don’t like it I’m glad to be in Detroit my boss said we love festivals I
Detroit my boss said we love festivals I
Detroit my boss said we love festivals I thought great but the bottom line is I
thought great but the bottom line is I
thought great but the bottom line is I said I’m not into Emmys I don’t want to
said I’m not into Emmys I don’t want to
said I’m not into Emmys I don’t want to win an award I don’t want I don’t really
win an award I don’t want I don’t really
win an award I don’t want I don’t really care about the ratings I know I just
care about the ratings I know I just
care about the ratings I know I just want to tell the stories and people of
want to tell the stories and people of
want to tell the stories and people of Detroit the blueprint said B you say
Detroit the blueprint said B you say
Detroit the blueprint said B you say what you believe and stay real I did it
what you believe and stay real I did it
what you believe and stay real I did it and I stand here nine years later
and I stand here nine years later
and I stand here nine years later anchoring the 5:30 and 6:30 news
anchoring the 5:30 and 6:30 news
anchoring the 5:30 and 6:30 news alongside the very mentor who told me to
alongside the very mentor who told me to
alongside the very mentor who told me to shake every hand who’s in the audience
shake every hand who’s in the audience
shake every hand who’s in the audience today who will Perkins and
and I do that not not despite rejection
and I do that not not despite rejection I do it because of rejection
I do it because of rejection
I do it because of rejection I invite you when rejection writes you a
I invite you when rejection writes you a
I invite you when rejection writes you a letter to write one back
letter to write one back
letter to write one back make it a thank you note and then make
make it a thank you note and then make
make it a thank you note and then make it your blueprint thank you loved you
it your blueprint thank you loved you
it your blueprint thank you loved you Detroit
Detroit
Detroit [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
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