I had a similar epiphany at the University of Texas. I was considering joining a national women’s communications group, until I saw its members serving cookies when Walter Cronkite visited the journalism students. I decided then and there that I wanted to participate in broad groups, since I was going to pursue my career in the real world.

            One day, perhaps there won’t be a need for Black History Month, or Breast Cancer Month, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. But in the meantime, as we celebrate Black History Month, I’d like to introduce you to some fascinating friends of mine who serve our community every day.

            Steve Murphy runs international consulting firm Murphy Performance Strategies. He’s an adjunct professor at Chapman University and is affiliated with the Ken Blanchard companies. We chat at the mailbox between our houses.

            Helen Griffith is Principal of Millennial Middle School. The lady’s on fire with passion for educating kids in today’s high tech world.

            Bernard Harris, the first African American astronaut to walk in space, came from Houston last week to inspire students as part of ExxonMobil’s Dream Tour. He’s a venture capitalist, a medical doctor, and goes scuba diving with other former astronauts twice a year for fun. He decided when he was 13 that he wanted to be an astronaut, when he saw the moon landing on TV. Then he made it happen.

            Crystal Watkins is the sharpest marketing person I know. There’s a reason she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Torrey Pines Bank. I think she comes up with creative ideas in her sleep. She serves on the board of the Old Globe Theatre.

            Roger Wainwright Bowie III is a wealth advisor with Wells Fargo Private Bank. He introduced me to my very first friend in San Diego when I moved here years ago. He’s one of the funniest people I know.

            Walt Davis refers to himself as a “retired Navy officer” when he meets people. Little do they know he’s a Vice Admiral who once controlled a $3.5 BILLION budget. He serves on the board of CommNexus, which positions San Diego as a world center for innovation in communications technology. His daughter, Kim Davis King, is a Stanford and Harvard educated venture capitalist.

            Phyllis Collins is the kind of teacher parents hope their child gets for 5^th grade. She’s been inspiring kids at Jerabek Elementary for years.

            Lena Nozizwe, born in Malawi, is the author of Starring in Your Own Life and speaks about “Writing Your Lifescript: Goal Setting Hollywood Style.” San Diego State named her Most Influential Professor in 2002. You may have seen her Emmy Award-winning work on CBS, BET or Hallmark TV. Her motto is “It’s all about the inner bling.”

            My hats are off to these people every month of the year. See you at WriterPalooza February 10!

Send your news, gossip, updates, hearsay, and tidbits to me at jan@mclanerieger.com.