In Gratitude to Ruby Payne
I can’t open this company without first acknowledging Dr. Ruby Payne. She changed my career with her book A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Later it was my life that changed after she hired me as a consultant for aha! Process Inc. I have not been the same since and remain eternally grateful for the profound effect from both her work and her person.
I read Dr. Payne’s book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, years before I attended her training. I had gifted about 25 to 30 copies to co-workers and friends. It is no exaggeration when I say that it completely changed how I saw my students, how I discussed issues on diversity, how I defined culture, and how I better understood my role in education. I came to realize how many issues labeled as “cultural” or “racial” are more often about economics and how the two easily get confused for each other. Moreover, I learned that the mislabeling of such topics result in circular and unproductive conversations with little to no resolution. The clarity of Dr. Payne’s message gave birth to my love of research and an intrinsic need to listen more closely to my students. It was humbling to discover how my personal biases got in the way of appreciating and seeing what was right in front of me. I often overlooked the strengths my students already had, in abundance, because of my preconceptions. The ability to connect with students, accept their truths, recognize their assets and develop more genuine trusting respectful relationships exponentially increased after my training with Dr. Payne.
Since becoming one of her consultants in 2003, countless attendees have told me time and time again how their lives changed for the better by becoming aware of Dr. Payne’s message. They discuss their feelings of becoming empowered with the knowledge they didn’t possess before training. Some speak with tears, some with laughter, and some with amazement. It would be impossible to keep count of the hundreds of people who have come up to me with statements such as:
“I, myself, grew up in poverty and it took this training to better understand why I do what I do. THANK YOU!”
“I used to be so judgmental. Now I realize that it was my perspective that did not allow me to accept others. I need to open my mind up so much more. THANK YOU!”
“I now see why I judged my students as not acting smart when in truth it was me who did not understand. THANK YOU!”
“I now see strengths in such a different light. My students are amazingly strong and I need to focus on that first. THANK YOU!”
The statements of gratitude are usually quite exuberant and profoundly heartfelt. They are accompanied by hugs, lingering handshakes, and sometimes tears.
Now, all these years later, I continue to be in awe of Dr. Payne’s work as it becomes more relevant with the passage of time. It has flourished in the areas of health care, social reform, higher education, and law enforcement. More recently, her work on Emotional Poverty is providing even more schools and other agencies with the necessary tools to help children and their families experience success in life. Our journey has been a most enlightening and thrilling ride.
Ruby, for all this and SO much more….. THANK YOU!
