The date was May 2, 2007, a Wednesday, the day of my interview for an internship at Independence Blue Cross through WorkReady Philadelphia. It had been a very busy day for me. I had cashed my check that morning, gotten my suit out of the dry cleaners, gone to the barbershop to get my haircut and gone on my way. When I got there, there was this gigantic building named after G. Fred DiBona, the former CEO. I checked in at the lobby, as instructed, only to find out that my interview had been Tuesday, May 1, 2007. I was 24 hours late! Instead of sending me home, a great man decided to see some potential in me and forgive me for being human. He, at that moment, became my mentor. Now, look at me! I am standing tall, six feet, and one inch, speaking in front of you at the forefront of a new mayor's tenure - a position I aim to hold someday.

Mentoring has played a crucial role in my life – especially at Independence Blue Cross (IBC). A paid summer internship turned into a year-round employment opportunity. I help carry out incentives and rewards to deserving associates. Opportunity is the key word! Because of “opportunity” I would have done this for free. (Please do not tell Mr. Frick that.) At IBC, some of my mentors have included Lytanja Jones-Beulah, Emerlinda Rosado, Rev. Lorina Marshall- Blake, but especially John F. Clayton Jr. - the great man who forgave my tardiness to the initial interview. What I love about him is his passion and enthusiasm toward youth. He ran the high school intern program at IBC. He has given me an opportunity (and a few fashion tips) for which I am totally grateful. I would like to thank him a thousand times for what he has done for me. He helped turn a mistake into life lesson. That is what makes the word "opportunity" so special to me.

While at IBC, I have met many mentors. Through the Young Leadership Connectors Project, I met Derek Green, the Chief Legislative Aide to Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco. He has helped turn my dream of being an elected official into a very obtainable goal. He has educated me and has introduced me to some of the top politicians in the City. He has even provided a hand in helping me get to college. (I plan attend Morehouse College in the fall.) He has taken me to City Council meetings and our first "date” - if you will – we attended Mr. Nutter's inaugural campaign party on Election Day.

Mentoring, in essence, has heightened my own expectations for myself. It has given me so much confidence. It is through mentoring that I am given the chance to find my place in life. Mentoring has helped me see that everyone has his own path to success. I can undoubtedly be who I want to be. I have learned that I can be successful by being exactly who I am and not being dissuaded by anyone. As Coach Phil Martelli mentioned in the keynote address at the 2007 WorkReady Employer-Paid Internship Youth Conference, “ I realized through mentoring that I can ‘hold my ground’ unwaveringly.” This is important for an aspiring politician, or anyone for that matter.

Mentoring is a great tool to help the professional development of youth. Mentoring is the opportunity to give someone an opportunity. Because mentors have their feet in so many ponds and their hands in so many jars, youth whose lives they touch get exposed to what is out there in Corporate America. They get to see what is in their grasp. Like me, they have no other choice but to heighten their expectations for themselves. This will only make them a better people and encourage them to give back. Through mentorship and youth programs like the Philadelphia Youth Network Ambassadors’ Researchers Cohort, my own youth fraternity, The Order of Knights of Pythagoras, sponsored by the MWPHGL, and “There is Hope With Help,” ran by CEO Aaron Boyd, I am becoming that person now! I am a mentor in training. I see my potential and the opportunity to become someone spectacular. I am very optimistic about my future and it is all possible because one man at IBC forgave me for being “human.”

As a tribute to Independence Blue Cross and a gesture of “thanks” for the experiences that got me behind this podium, it is my ULTIMATE pleasure to introduce the President of Independence Blue Cross, Mr. Joseph A. Frick.

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Derrick Reed is currently enjoying his senior year at Philadelphia’s High School of Engineering and Science. Last summer, Derrick secured a paid internship through WorkReady Philadelphia. His employers at Independence Blue Cross were so happy with his performance that they offered him a part-time position during the school year. Derrick reports that this internship, and the work-based mentoring it offered, taught him a lot about the corporate world and has influenced his view on the type of setting in which he someday hopes to work. He said he observed his colleagues truly enjoying their jobs and has learned that work can be a lot of fun. After graduation, Derrick plans to attend Morehouse College and wants to pursue a career that will connect to his interest in politics and government.

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