Lewis Diuguid to Speak on Diversity at JCCC

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. ­-Lewis Diuguid, Vice President of Community Resources at The Kansas City Star, will present his latest book, Discovering the Real America: Toward a More Perfect Union, from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, Oct. 22, in the Craig Community Room, Johnson County Community College. The lecture, sponsored by the JCCC sociology department and by Staff Development, is free and open to students and the public.

In Discovering the Real America, Diuguid discusses the diversity of real America which includes people with many backgrounds, cultures, and characteristics.  Diuguid talks about how that diversity is both underappreciated and often the object of derision and misunderstanding.  He explores reasons that cause underappreciation and offers practical ways that we can all use to be part of a more perfect union.  The book includes columns written by Diuguid about diversity issues as well as some of the negative responses he receives about those columns.  The negative emails and voice mail serve to remind us that there is still resistance to the idea that the real America is made up of valuable others who provide a wealth of information and productivity.  Diuguid will be available to discuss and sign copies of his book after both presentations.

Diuguid joined the staff of The Kansas City Star-Times in May 1977 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. He has worked as a reporter, photographer, copy editor, automotive editor, assistant bureau chief, bureau chief, assistant city editor, associate editor and columnist. He has written a column for The Kansas City Star since 1987.  He serves on the editorial board, is an opinion page columnist and is responsible for the Star's philanthropic efforts in the community.  Since 1995, he has co-chaired the diversity initiative at The Star and has facilitated workshops for the Star staff, colleges and community organizations.    

 In addition to writing Discovering the Real America: Toward a More Perfect Union, Diuguid is the author of the 2004 award-winning book, A Teacher's Cry: Expose the Truth About Education Today, which offers ways to improve public schools, particularly in urban areas.  He is a founding member, treasurer, newsletter editor and Media Awards Committee chairman of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, National Society of Newspaper Columnists, National Association for Multicultural Education, Monroe Trotter Group of Black Voices in Commentary, Missourian Publishing Association Board of Directors with the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and William Allen White Foundation Board of Trustees with the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. He is a certified diversity facilitator with the Newspaper Association of America.  

Diuguid gives numerous speeches and lectures a year on behalf of The Star. He has received more than 50 awards, including the 2000 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism.