Dayjuan Lawrence Blog 2

 Dayjuan Lawrence Blog 2 

 When we first got assigned the changemakers presentation, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I thought it would just be another regular class project where we research someone and present basic facts. But after going through all the presentations from my group, I realized it was actually deeper than that. Each person we studied had a real impact on society, whether it was positive, controversial, or a mix of both. It made me think more about how one person’s decisions can shape the world in ways we don’t always notice at first.

My group covered a variety of different individuals, including George W. Bush, Steve Jobs, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Edward Snowden, Mark Zuckerberg, Michelle Obama, and Betsy DeVos. What stood out to me the most was how different all of these people were, yet they were all considered changemakers in their own way.

I personally focused on George W. Bush, and working on his section helped me understand leadership from a different perspective. Before this project, I mostly just knew him as a former president, but I never took time out to think about his background. Learning that he was born into a political family, went to Yale, and earned an MBA from Harvard made me realize how much preparation and influence played a role in his journey. His experience in business and as the Governor of Texas clearly shaped how he led the country in a great way.

What I found interesting about Bush was how his leadership was centered around big decisions, especially during difficult times. Even though people have different opinions about him, there’s no denying that his presidency had a major impact on the United States. It showed me that being a changemaker doesn’t always mean everyone will agree with you—it just means your actions left a lasting effect.

Another presentation that stood out to me was about Steve Jobs. His story was honestly one of the most inspiring. The fact that he was adopted, dropped out of college, and still went on to co-found Apple really shows that success doesn’t follow a straight path sometimes it's a zigzag if you get what I mean. What really caught my attention was how he got removed from Apple, the company he created, and then came back years later to save it from bankruptcy.

That part stuck with me because it shows resilience. A lot of people would have given up after getting pushed out of their own company, but he didn’t. Instead, he came back stronger and changed the entire tech industry with products that people still use today. It made me think about how failure isn’t the end—it can actually be part of the process it's a long process, but you will eventually get there.

The presentation on Dr. Anthony Fauci was also very interesting, especially because it connected to something recent that we all experienced. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his role became extremely important in guiding the country through a crisis. I remember seeing him on the news a lot, but I didn’t fully understand his background until this presentation.

Learning that he served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for decades showed how experienced he was. His decisions during COVID-19 had a huge impact on public health and how society functioned at the time. It also made me realize how difficult it is to be in a position where your decisions affect millions of people, especially during a crisis.

Then there was Edward Snowden, who I think brought a completely different type of conversation to the table. His story stood out because it wasn’t just about success or leadership—it was about ethics and choices. When he exposed the NSA’s global surveillance programs, it created a worldwide debate about privacy and security.

What I found interesting is how divided opinions are about him. Some people see him as a hero who stood up for civil liberties, while others believe he put national security at risk. That made me realize that being a changemaker isn’t always clear-cut. Sometimes it comes with controversy, and people won’t always agree on whether what you did was right or wrong.

The other figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Michelle Obama, and Betsy DeVos also added different perspectives. Zuckerberg represents how social media has changed communication and business. Michelle Obama showed leadership through influence, education, and advocacy rather than political power alone. Betsy DeVos brought in conversations about education reform and how policies can affect students and schools across the country.

Overall, I actually enjoyed this assignment more than I expected. It wasn’t just about memorizing facts—it was about understanding impact. Every presentation showed a different way someone can influence the world, whether through technology, politics, health, or even controversial actions.

One thing I took away from this project is that being a changemaker doesn’t require you to be perfect. A lot of the people we studied had flaws, faced criticism, or made decisions that people disagreed with. But what made them stand out was that they took action and made an impact that people still talk about today.

It also made me reflect on my own life. Seeing how these individuals started from different backgrounds and still managed to influence the world made me think about what kind of impact I want to have. You don’t have to be a president or a billionaire to make a difference—you just have to be willing to take initiative and stay consistent.

If I had to improve anything about the presentations, I would say some could have gone deeper into how these individuals affected everyday people. But overall, everyone did a good job presenting and bringing their person to life.

In the end, this project helped me see history and leadership in a more real way. These weren’t just names in a textbook—they were real people who made decisions that shaped the world we live in today. And that’s something I’ll definitely remember moving forward.