The last time the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference was held in #Detroit was 1992, the year I began working as a feature writer at the Detroit Free Press . At the Freep, a very tall, very dynamic man named Bob McGruder always used to talk to me like I was his professional peer. He was Managing Editor, and he looked and sounded like my eldest brother David. He made me stop being intimidated by his presence, because to McGruder, if you were in his newsroom you were supposed to be there, so you better act like it. He believed in me, and he made me believe in myself. When I was offered an editorial writing job in Des Moines, Bob McGruder told me that was not the path I should take. And he offered me a nice raise to stay, so I took it. A few months later, when Bill Laitner went on sabbatical, Bob McGruder asked me to fill in as the Freep Health and Fitness Columnist. If McGruder thought I could do it, it must be true. Bob McGruder was a pioneer, a literal and figurative giant, a man with saw through you to the core of who you could and should be. I am honored beyond words to have attended his Memorial celebration yesterday, and to witness his tribute at the #NABJ18 Gala. #NABJ #MeetMeInTheD #journalism #legacy #mentoring …see more