Anywhere in Western North Carolina when the acronym CIBO (Council of Independent Business Owners) is heard, people stop to listen to what comes next. CIBO is the foremost and most prestigious influencing organization in the surrounding area.
Its members are made up of old money and of new money working hard to attain business success and influence that the organization carries. And anyone seeking political or business success would do themselves proud to get an endorsement from CIBO. Or even to attain a membership in its organization.
On Thursday, September 30, 2022, at the invitation of one of its past Presidents, the Honorable Mac Swicegood, I would be fortunate to be his guest at a luncheon meeting that would feature the first black Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, the Honorable Mark Robinson.
Prior to this day, I had been forewarned by many people on both sides of the social, political, and economic aisles that if I ever got the opportunity to hear or meet the Lt. Governor; that I would like him as a person and politician. He began his talk about his family and Christian upbringing. And, importantly, his political philosophy to invite every sound and rational people to the table; while setting aside differences in order to seek ideas everybody could have a hand in…and, in solving problems to never discount ideas from others.
By the time he had spoken on social, political, economic, and technological issues of the day, I truly did like him. However, when the President of CIBO, the Honorable Buzzy Canady called for questions; I wondered if he could retain the high mark I had given to him. President Canady called out my name... “HK, you have a question?”
There I was don in my business suit covered with Confederate medals and the Ladies Memorial Association Ribbon, and a Confederate tie with the Confederate Battle flag, the Third National and the Bonnie Blue flags that the Lt Governor had gazed upon many times as he spoke. I suppose he wondered what this black man sitting at the front table standing several times to give him an ovation for his spoken word would ask of him.
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