Home: Winfield, IL (greater Chicago). Age: 60. Birthplace: Dayton, OH. Early years: Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. Profession: Author, art curator, speaker, non-profit executive, interfaith peacemaker, intercultural bridge-builder; authority on the Middle East and Africa. Organization: CARAVAN Arts. Title: President. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Alma mater: Wheaton College; Chichester Theological College; Alliance Francaise. Languages spoken: Fluent in English and French (some Wolof and Arabic).
Current project: Art exhibitions with CARAVAN Arts. Recent recognition: Awarded by the Archbishop of Canterbury the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation, the highest international award for outstanding service in the work of reconciliation and interfaith dialogue within the Anglican Communion. Recent professional development: Interview with DakArtNews. Latest accomplishment: Author of “IN SEARCH OF A PROPHET: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran”. Also, curator of a variety of art exhibitions for CARAVAN. Latest contribution to others: Curating peacebuilding art exhibitions via CARAVAN Arts and supporting emerging artists. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Leaving a large non-profit CEO job in the US to move to Cairo, Egypt, which resulted in the founding of CARAVAN. Hobbies: Reading and travel, exotic pigeon fancying and playing the French game known as Boules de Pétanque. Recent travel or adventure: Saint-Louis, Senegal, West Africa. Last book read: Fi: A Memoir of My Son by Alexandra Fuller. Recently viewed and recommended: Lupin, a French TV series (Netflix). Recent unique acquisition: Ancient African masks from the Bassari tribe in Senegal, West Africa.
Personality profile: Passionate, creative, spiritual, optimist, relational. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Visionary. Moral compass: The teachings and example of Jesus. What is your greatest joy? Savoring art. What is your greatest fear? A meaningless life. What is your guilty pleasure? Gin and tonic and a piece of dark chocolate in the evenings. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Actually. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Artists, poets, ambassadors, peace negotiators.
What three emojis best describe you? 😂🙏👍.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? On travel, art, books and helping others. What is at the top of your bucket list? Vietnam. How do you relieve stress? Process verbally. What is your go-to workout? A simple morning exercise routine. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? A unique boutique hotel in an exotic location.
What was your first paying job? Lifeguard. What was your favorite college course? Art History and English Literature. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? My basketball. What book have you repeatedly read? A collection of Kahlil Gibran’s writings. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Out of Africa, The English Patient, Casablanca, Spy Game. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Art and books. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Be kind to everyone. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Follow your heart. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Mobile phone. What is your favorite app? WhatsApp. What is your go-to source of news and information? New York Times. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Art websites. What company or organization do you most admire? World Wildlife Fund. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11.
What is your big idea? That the arts can be one of the most effective mediums to heal our world and to creatively foster peace, harmony, wholeness and health in all its forms. What change would you like to see in the world? People fully embracing each other regardless of different backgrounds, cultures, faiths or ethnicities. What message do you want to send out into the world? Seek life’s deeper dimension. What widely held belief do you reject? That one’s faith is superior to others.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? In Search of the Divine Artist. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? James Norton. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Vincent van Gogh. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An ambassador. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? A painting. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Eating the Senegalese dish of Thieboudienne surrounded by family and best friends, in Senegal. What advice would you give your younger self? Always be yourself. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? An afternoon with the English writer and broadcaster Malcolm Muggeridge. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My college years.
Personal mission: Seeking to enable others to enter a deeper dimension spiritually and experience the beauty of their Creator in fresh ways, as well as to celebrate the image of the Divine Artist in all people. Personal motto: Take nothing for Granted - Accept all with Gratitude - Pass on all with Grace. Favorite quote: “The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people” (Vincent van Gogh). Desired epitaph: Towards a Deeper Dimension.
