GAINESVILLE, FL

As he tells the story, when John Fitzwater became publisher of The Gainesville Sun he noticed that the same three or four African Americans served on a host of community boards. He began to ask himself how, in a community of 22 percent black population, could so few minorities be in community leadership roles and he says he constantly heard volunteer boards lament the fact that they had no minority participation.

The Gainesville Chamber of Commerce had its annual Leadership Gainesville programs with 25 or so participants and two or three were usually minorities.

Fitzwater hit upon the idea of the newspaper sponsoring a leadership program just for minorities. He explored the idea with State Representative Cynthia Chestnut and other members of the minority community and then invited two dozen potential class members to dinner at a local private club where he laid out the idea.

“Everything went great except the idea of inviting them to a private club where they were not members and had in most cases never been before, was not a good idea. And I assumed all of these folks already knew each other. I learned that only a few of them had ever met before.”

The vision shared was that members of the class would have the opportunity to meet with people like the school superintendent, judges, state legislators, economic development officials, etc. over a 12 or 13 week period. They would be encouraged to ask hard questions of these public figures but the expectation was also that they would learn how those agencies and organizations work and get to know those in power.

The group would meet at the newspaper one night a week. A catered meal would be served and the publisher’s office would assist in scheduling the outside speakers.

Toward the end of the first class, Fitzwater asked the class members to suggest applicants for the second class (the publisher requested that the newspaper be allowed to nominate an employee for each class). The class members, who had bonded during the 13 weeks together, decided to form an alumni association. The process of selecting class members has continued the same way since 1990 and the alumni group has also continued.

The group, in conjunction with the publisher, came up with the name Focus on Leadership.

Focus alumni have staged voter registration campaigns, have appeared before governmental groups advocating better jobs for minorities and the Women of Focus have run a program for teenage girls emphasizing sexual awareness, hygiene, homework habits, etc.

When Jim Doughton came to The Gainesville Sun in May of 2000 he first discovered Focus and immediately jumped in with both feet. His enthusiasm was such that he even asked to be a member of the Fall 2000 class as a way to better acclimate himself to his new community and to learn firsthand what Focus was all about.

JIM DOUGHTON'S COMMENTS

“The Focus project is a superb example of a newspaper taking a proactive role as a community leader. This is an idea that follows the same fundamental mission of “Celebrate 2000” in the sense of positioning the newspaper in a leadership role in the communities we serve. It also has longevity and a life and legacy carried out by the strong Alumni connection.

“One of my first experiences with Focus was to attend the graduation for the 2000 class. The class of about 15 was a reflection of the Gainesville community with teachers, business people, social workers and community activist. The strong bond that they all seem to have built over the 13 weeks of being together was the central theme that struck me as this is something special. They did skits, read poetry, gave speeches and each one reflected the love they had for the community and each other. I was hooked.

“When the 2001 Focus class was about to begin I had several meetings with the two leaders who organize and host each Gainesville class Larry McDaniel and Leon Caffee. They are both extraordinary people who I have come to admire because of their passion and love for their community. In one of our meetings I mentioned I would like to sit through most of the classes if that was ok. The next I knew I was an official member of class 12.

“My experience as a member of the class strengthened my early impressions that Focus enriches communities in many ways:

• In a community like Gainesville with about one-fourth the population black it creates an environment for development of black leadership in ways other organizations have failed. It nurtures an interest in political, business and social issues. Historically a small number of black leaders have repeatedly been called on to serve on local boards. Focus has kindled the interest of new group of community leaders has led to greater participation and interest in a wide variety of issues. The results are greater diversity that reflects the diversity of our community.

• Focus creates a network of Alumni that continue to feel more connected long after the class is over and to stay active and involved.

• My personal experience was enriched by greater understanding of the issues facing the Gainesville African American community. From racial profiling to busing this experience was enlightening and rewarding.

• It also gave me a perspective of my new community and how things work from the school system to county government.

“Jonathan Edwards had a quote that summed up the essence of the Focus experience for me…………”A man (or woman) of a right spirit is not a man of narrow and private views, but is greatly interested and concerned in the good of the community to which he belongs, and particularly of the city or village in which he resides, and for the true welfare of the society of which he is a member.