Curtis Nicholson, MPA on LinkedIn: I’m excited to annouce that after 34 years of service to the community, I… | 85 comments (2025)

And what are YOUR plans for Memorial Day Weekend?***************I'm Stephen E. Seckler, Esq. - Counsel to Counsel 🦉 I help lawyers stop thinking and acting like a lawyer so they can advance their careers, grow their practice, and become better leaders and managers

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Twenty-five years have passed since that April day that etched sorrow into the hearts of Columbine High School. Two armed students took the lives of 12 of their peers and a cherished teacher and then their own lives. The reverberations of that tragic day have rippled through the years, leaving a sad narrative of killers and victims often repeated in the mainstream media.But what that narrative misses is Columbine’s story of recovery, resilience and triumph.It is in the school’s very fabric, where the emphasis is that every individual, from the principal to the first-day freshman, matters.As Columbine sophomore Madison Price told us, “It’s just the kind of thing that you can feel.”Reporters and editors from our two dozen Denver area newspapers collaborated on a collection of stories we dubbed, "How Columbine changed us." That hard-to-describe feeling is a soft finding for a newsroom that spent months parsing through stories of grief and perseverance in interviews with survivors, past and present school officials, teachers, security experts and even media critics. We sought the answer to a simple question: How has the 1999 Columbine shooting changed the school over the years – and everything else?On one hand, nothing has changed. Gun violence is rampant in the United States. For instance, the stunning tally of deaths and injuries provided by theAtlas of American Gun Violence is only necessary because of the almost-daily barrage of headlines chronicling shootings.Since Columbine, schools across the country have increased security measures. The Jefferson County School District, which oversees the high school, points to classroom doors that lock from the inside. There are single-point entry systems at schools that ensure students, staff and visitors pass through controlled checkpoints. Add to that security cameras, once a rarity, metal detectors and scanners.Much of the changes are meant to ferret out people carrying guns. Yet our reporting did not take us to the raging debates over guns, like whether background checks are enough or if teachers should be armed.Instead, we explored how chaos among rescuers during the Columbine incident led to improved coordination today, helping bridge gaps to make all schools safer. We also looked at the media’s role during and after the shooting to glean lessons.Yet the story those closest to Columbine wanted us, and our readers, to know most is that the shooting doesn’t define Columbine. What they want America to know is that what makes everyone safer is a school culture where everyone is appreciated for who they are and can contribute to a kind of indomitable spirit that has emerged and evolved with intentionality since 1999.That theme is embodied every April 20, the anniversary of the shooting, in the school’s Day of Service.“We have turned that day into something so positive,” teacher Mandy Cooke told us. “And that is what I am most proud of..."Read "How Columbine changed us:"

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This post highlights the inspiring journey of Gloria Brown, who transitioned from a dictation transcriptionist to holding two forest supervisor positions, overcoming personal tragedy along the way. 💪🌳Resilience demonstrates how personal challenges can lead to significant career advancements. 💪🏆Leadership is evident in Gloria Brown’s career progression, showcasing her ability to lead in challenging environments. 💪💼Career transitions, as shown by Gloria’s journey, can lead to unexpected and rewarding leadership roles. 💼🌳 #resilience #leadership

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Engaging Police and Community can be a tricky task. Often times our community are upset with law enforcement because we often times feel unfairly treated and we are just tired of not receiving what we consider equal treatment.In MANY of my trainings, some law enforcement officers seem totally oblivious to the anger, honestly, some just don't really care or want to understand, and often times their in ability to empathize with our community leads to a greater divide.I have the great pleasure of understanding both sides of the divide and have a unique ability to assemble facts, data, statistics, case studies, real life scenarios, role plays, FBI data, historical data, a keen sense of discernment, a high ability to listen, and just some good ole common sense, ... mix that with good humor and the fact that I aint takin NO SIDES, leaves the audiences fully engaged.One Black guy said, "You know, I didn't want to like you... I wanted to shut you down, but you presented facts in a way that I've never heard, I just kept listening"... in one training, an officer said, "I really appreciate how you delivered this message... I realize I do have implicit bias and you humanized your community in a way that made me realize I have to do better."Both guys thought they were giving me a compliment. I just listened and if they learned something to make them more effective then my job was done!Louisa... It was great having one of Illinois' Greatest State Attorney's in the room with me... this isn't easy work, but highly necessary.

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To achieve sustained success, organizations should adopt agile leadership, prioritize diversity and inclusion for improved business outcomes, and establish comprehensive plans that align strategic objectives with operational efficiencies. Furthermore, forming cross-functional sales teams and implementing co-leadership models can enhance collaboration and adaptability, which are essential for navigating the dynamic business environment.

A profound truth that resonates across all aspects of life and career - our mindset is the foundation upon which we build our futures. Whether crafting palaces of prosperity or confining ourselves to the prisons of our doubts, the power lies within our thoughts and perceptions.Remember:📌Positivity breeds possibilities.📌Challenges are merely stepping stones.📌Growth comes from belief in potential.Work on your Mindset, Think Positive Always, Things will be Positive.If this Resonates with you do Share your thoughts in the Comments below.

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We are proud of what we achieved in 2023 with your support and are eager to see what we will accomplish together in the next year! Ensuring equity and justice for all Georgians will remain our top priority. Learn more about the strides we made this year in our latest newsletter, The Watcher: https://conta.cc/47dtujw#GeorgiaWatch

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Today marks 6 years since the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It's a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the need for change. Learn more in our latest blog from our director @CISAJen: go.dhs.gov/JMT

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I actively try to buy companies in my niche industry. I can see their books and compare them with my own company's books and not to boast but we operate far better than anyone else I've seen. Some of that's luck. Some of it is hard work. But another key part of it is that we seek out our errors and rub our noses all in them. We meticulously study our mistakes. There is no room for pride and ego; we just want to improve our performance, make customers happy, and beat everyone else competing with us.LuXout is a microcosm of what society could be if we do the same on a broader scale. Even now there's a campaign to suppress the horrid realities of our history and only talk about the nice things in USA history. The Tulsa Race Riot was simply not taught in school. Neither was Seneca Village in New York, Rosewood in Florida, East Saint Louis in Illinois, COINTELPRO or any other push for the destruction of my American people. People think that teaching these things will spark revenge but the data from the last 405 years negate that. Revenge isn't the goal. Learning from the past is the goal. And it's in our collective interest to remember exactly how we got here and both the good and bad decisions made along the way as it helps us make the most of the decisions before us today. So never forget #Greenwood.Rest in power to #BlackWallStreet. It is my career's mission to either "Zerubabbel" or uplift the ones called to lead the build back. And whatever we don't complete in my generation, my son's will do in his.

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🌟 Reflecting on the Courage of My Great Grandmother during Challenging Times 🌟As we journey through history, it's crucial to remember the stories that shaped us. Today, I want to share the remarkable story of my African American great grandmother, who lived in Mississippi during the tumultuous year of 1955. Her resilience and unwavering love in the face of adversity continue to inspire me.In 1955, Mississippi was a battleground for civil rights, where segregation and discrimination were deeply entrenched. My great grandmother, a woman of incredible strength and grace, bore witness to the tragic events of that era, including the horrific murder of Emmett Till.Emmett Till's story is a painful reminder of the racial injustice and hatred that marred our history. It's a stark reminder that we must continue to fight against discrimination and prejudice in all its forms.I often think about how my great grandmother must have felt during those times. She saw the worst of humanity, but she also embodied the best - love, resilience, and a determination to create a better world for her family.Though we've come a long way since 1955, there is still much work to be done to achieve true equality and justice for all. I wish things were different back then, and I'm committed to making a difference now.Let us honor the memory of those who suffered and fought for change by continuing the struggle for a more just and inclusive society. Together, we can create a future where no one has to endure the pain and injustice my great grandmother witnessed.#HistoryMatters #EqualityForAll #CivilRights #EmmettTill #Inspiration #ChangeMakers #NAACP #humanrights

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