M&T Bank CEO René Jones gets personal about growing up in a mixed family, how he found success and why he thinks its important for everyone to tell their story.
On growing up in a biracial family: 'I think that really helped me be aware of stereotypes'
Now, think about what we know about that period — 1946 through the 1960s. When I tell my story, I typically never talk about that. Then, people tend to open up and ask questions that are different than they might have asked otherwise. It changes the possibilities of our relationship. It was very common for me to be in one setting, which was predominantly African-American and actually be seen as a bit of an outsider. And the opposite was true, as well. Someone would point out my brother and his race or one of my sisters' race, when they didn't realize we were family. It really made me think a lot about the assumptions that we make about people. You never really shake that.
It feeds into my curiosity. When I meet a young person who's joining our firm, I am super curious about everything they know. What their possibilities are. How they want to change the world. I know that their perspective is going to be very different from my own. If I can spend some time in that space with them, I can learn and become stronger.Early on at M&T, maybe 20 years ago, they decided for some reason that they should get me a [career] coach.
And I said,"OK, so what am I supposed to do about that?" He said, 'You have to tell your story. Just tell stories about how you grew up and where you came from."
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jerry Jones comments on $2.4 million Cowboys cheerleaders settlementCowboys owner Jerry Jones responded to the news of a $2.4 million settlement paid to four members of the team’s cheerleading squad who accused former team executive Rich Dalrymple of voyeurism.
Read more »
Kanye Looks Smitten with Chaney Jones, Beach Body on Full DisplayChaney Jones' strong Kim Kardashian vibes could be seen from a mile away in Miami, and it's clear why Kanye likes her.
Read more »
Jerry Jones comments on Dallas Cowboys’ $2.4 million settlement paid to cheerleadersThe Dallas Cowboys paid a confidential $2.4 million settlement in May 2016 in response to four team cheerleaders’ allegations that Rich Dalrymple, the...
Read more »
Nikole Hannah-Jones At 2022 NAACP Image Awards: 'Our History Is Being Attacked''A healthy society does not ban ideas,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist said as she accepted the Social Justice Impact Award at the ceremony.
Read more »