Local Wal-Mart associates were encouraged Tuesday to embrace diversity among co-workers and customers through the words of advice and encouragement spoken in the program, “Our Journey: Celebrating African American Diversity.”

The program is held annually and Wal-Mart associates are required to attend due to the company’s commitment to diversity.

The program explains, “As the world’s largest retailer, we value diversity and foster a working environment that enriches the personal and professional experiences of our associates, promotes excellence and cultivates the intellectual and personal growth of the entire associate population.”

The program further explains that Wal-Mart strives to continue being “a global leader in all aspects of diversity and inclusion.”

Local Wal-Mart assistant manager Ryan Bradshaw gave the welcome, as well as a presentation on diversity. He informed that diversity in the workplace is more than a matter of race. Diversity also comprises age, gender and those with special needs and unique talents. The goal of appreciating diversity, he furthered, is to embrace differences and pull from the strengths of creative people to promote a healthy social and learning environment.

Wal-Mart was recognized with 37 awards in 2008 for its efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in its business plan, Bradshaw shared.

Assistant manager Ray Monk added to Bradshaw’s remarks about the value of diversity and introduced three guest speakers, each African American Clintonians who have overcome hardships and issues of diversity to achieve success.

Dr. Albert Kirby, a local lawyer, spoke of how the world tries to take away dreams by being “full of negativity.”

A high school teacher told him he could never go to college or be a lawyer, however Kirby’s mother encouraged him that he could do “anything he set his heart to.” Kirby urged the audience to set goals for themselves and pursue them in spite of what others say.

“By my own standard of success,” Kirby concluded, “I’m still standing.”

Victor Fryar, vice chairman for the Clinton City Schools Board of Education, took the podium next.

Fryar said he has participated in diversity training for almost 40 years. One thing he has learned is, “change is inevitable, success is an option.”

He encouraged employees not to make excuses because “excuses only satisfy the person who makes them.” Instead of making excuses, Fryar stated, “set goals, put priorities in place and do them all one day at a time.”

Diversity fails, he explained, because it cannot be forced by government agencies or achieved in a once-a-year seminar. Instead, Fryar insisted, the decision and commitment to embrace diversity must come from within. The way to achieve it, he continued, is to live by the golden rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The final speaker on the program was former professional football player Leonard Henry.

The theme of Henry’s address was perseverance. He shared some of the difficult times in his life when he has wanted to quit, but every time he endured through the challenges.

On a more spiritual note, Henry proclaimed, “God doesn’t see people the way we see them. God sees hearts.”

“You are the eyes of Wal-Mart, the hands of Wal-Mart; you are the feet and the face of Wal-Mart,” Henry acknowledged, as he urged the associates to be accountable and hold to the company’s values everywhere they go.

Henry concluded, “Never look down on a man unless you’re pulling him up.”

Wal-Mart marketing manager Kim Hardin closed the program by advising associates to value “our similarities, not our differences,” and to find “common ground.”

To contact Amy Kelly call (910) 592-8137 ext. 119 or send e-mail to sigov@myclintonnc.com.