Im glad you can join us tonight for author rozs night. We do this to give you exposure to speakers and authors who you might not say on your campus or, dare i say it, in front of the Congressional Committee youre interning with. So, we have kind of a different one tonight. I have to just give also built of a warmup here. This young man contacted me to tell me he had this book, young millenial, and i said, oh, could i read it . And i have to admit i had a wee bit of trepidation, the last time i tried to read a book like this, it was this one is not like that. Youll spend the evening with it. Its worth and it youll spend the entire evening because youll want to underline and marginnote it. This young man has accomplished just turned 30, and he has already been a white house intern, a talk show host on radio, in drive time in a top media market, and a preacher. By the age of 30. Im 56. I got confess i havent done any of those things. His story is inspirational, and i think youll get a lot out of it of strength and hope and it is our sincere pleasure i have to give a little commercial. This evening, and all the evenings that comprise our author nights are brought to you by a grant from the frank a. Fresco and nellie Fresco Foundation for which we are most grateful. I have to give another Public Service announcement. After our speakers opening remarks he will take questions, and if you would, when you are actually asking your questions, just line up at that microphone to ask them. And having said that, its my sincere pleasure to introduce to you demetrius minor. [applause] good evening, everyone. Mr. Kline, members of accuracy in media, and my friend gathered here this evening, thank you very much for the invitation. Im very honored to be with you tonight. It all started on april 1, 2014. It was the day before i was set to relocate to atlanta, georgia, from newport news, virginia. I remembered my father telling me to come downstairs because there was an important matter that my parents wanted to discuss with me. I gap to go downstairs, i thought my parents would tell me how much they will miss me and i embraced myself. My moms never ending list of things she expected me to accomplish in such a short time. But i couldnt possibly prepare myself for what was in store. I sat down on the couch. My father, seated in his recliner, across from me, uttered the words that would turn my world upsidedown. He said, son, your mother and i are not your biological parents. For the very first anytime my 28 years of living, i had no idea who i was. It was revealed to me that my birth mother, because she had succumbed to a lifestyle that consisted of prostitution, drugs, alcohol, and violations with the law, she was neither financially or mentally prepared to raise a child. However, she did not allow her poor life choices to prevent her from at least allowing a loving family to raise me in a safe and healthy environment. It was through this revelation that presser vacation and purpose was written. I realized i had a story to share. And that it had the potential to not only impact but to encourage others to realize that their lives were preserved by almighting god for a divine purpose. It isnt just me that has story worth sharing. Theres many within this Millenial Generation that has testimonials of their own preservation. While our backgrounds may vary and our experiences may not mirror the ones of mine, im convinced that we have been preserved not just for our own benefit but to also help preserve this great nation. America can be preserved. She must be preserved. And sustained. But it will take more than Just Campaign rhetoric and politicians. It will require this generation, which is innovative, intelligent, and creative in many ways to implement conservative ideas and principles. But conservatism must be more than just policy positions and voting records. It must become a lifestyle. A resurgence and a revival of moriality is indeed in order because when morality is neglected in one area of life, it affects the other areas. Conservatism becomes invalid when we demand for government the practice fiscal discipline but we neglect to practice it in our own lives. Conservatism isnt attractive when gee planned faithfulness and loyalty to tower nations constituents but yet not loyal to our own families. Conservative tim becomes questioned when we call for small and limited government. Yet we vote for politicians who contrast themselves with this great philosophy. Our generation has been preserved for this divine purpose, and that is, to serve a cause that is much greater than ourselves. While the media and our opponent seek thelight the thinged that divide us, we can seek the Higher Ground and put an emphasis on the things that brings us together. Whether were black, white, latino, rich, poor, democrat, republican, liberal or conservative, we have all been given gifts and talent that has been given us by god himself, and it is up to us to utilize the purpose that is within us. While our purpose is to help lead our country back to the principles and values she was founded upon, it will happen in different ways. Some of you may see your purpose fulfilled in your local church, through the avenue of ministry. Others can fine it through the rams of the medical field, serving as a doctor, nurse, physician. Then of course, some may find their purpose via government. After all, politicians immediate to remind themselves that theyre merely public servants. Who knows. Someone in here could be the next speaker of the house. By the way things are currently going we probably need that to happen sooner rather than later. We must also change the narrative of the cultural and political divide that is upon us. We can do this without betraying our values and belief. What we must be willing to do is provide helpful conservative alternatives to Mainstream Media and hollywood elitism that seeks to define our cultural status. We must define the narrative that attempts to tell our generation that america is a racist nation and that we are intolerant of other people. In our desire to be respectful towards or fellow neighbors we must not disavow our allegiance to morality because it is the components of our individual and our nations preservation. I myself would not join in the chorus of those believing that americas glory days are an afterthought. I still believe that with gods grace, our nations greatest days are still ahead. We will survive. We will see america serve a great purpose, not just nationally but internationally, because of the individuals that are in this room. As Margaret Thatcher once said in 1979, two weeks prior to her election as Prime Minister of great britain, we remain as we always have been, a force for freedom, muted, even weakened these last few years, but still with the fires burning deep within us. Ready to be kindle and go forward again. And, if anyone is to doubt the question of validity of your purpose, may i simply remind you of the divine promise given us to news hoe hill scripture in which exodus 9 16 tells us, i have raised you up for this very purpose. That i may show you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Thank you for comping. God bless you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] i read the book, which is obviously fantastic. I know your parents. What was it like in the intervening two years when you said you lost your individual identity. Did you meteor birth parents or done anything like that . Very ironic you ask me that question today. This past february, both my i dont want to give too much because i want you to buy the book but my birth mother and my adoptive mother died two weeks apart, and today would have been my birth mothers 59th 59th birthday. Once it was told to me of this adoption, the normal rational response would be to become bitter, and to distance myself, but i did not want to do that, because isnt perfect and i can gladly stand before you and tell you that i have relationship with my biological and physical parents. And so instead of me having that bitter approach, i simply said, god, what is it that you want me to learn . And this past june, my one of my biological brothers, his son and his niece, mind you, up until a year ago i didnt even know they existed i went back home and i was asked to baptize them. You never know what can evolve. If you have the mentality and if you have the mindset you have been preserved for a purpose that is much greater. Im still actually in the process of finding stuff out. People say how many brothers and sisters you have. I say, have no idea. Who knows. We could be related the way my family tree is. But in my process of learning and growing, i just embrace it. Its easier said than done, though. Did that answer your question . Anymore . So, my question is, what is next . Whats next . Probably going to eat after this. I am finishing up my degree. I have three classes left in january, and then i hope to be married. And of course, stay up to date with the elects election. Without giving away too much from the book, would you tell us how exactly you made it from white house intern to drive time talk show . I do want to make a clarification. I did intern under the bush administration. I dont know if any of you wonder if i interned under the current administration. No. How did i make that from talk radio . Well, was in class one day, bored out of my mind, and so, like the average College Student who is bored in class, i open up facebook. Open up facebook chat. And we see how i can make the time go by. And i noticed a name under there, tony power. Who is this guy . I dont remember him sending me a friend request, i dont remember sending him a friend request. So, im like, what the heck. I said, excuse me, sir issue dont want to be rude, how do i know you . And so he began to tell me that we had mutual friends in common, and he asked me what i was studying. I said aim a Political Science major. He said, oh, interesting. Im a political talk show host in town and im looking for a producer. I said, well, im going to be honest with you, i dont have a lick of experience in radio. Probably not your guy. He said, ill tell you everything you need to do, and within a couple months you can have your own show. So the guy said, let meet for lunch. He took me to pf changs for lunch. That sold me. Gourmet chinese . Are you kidding me . When i can start. And i was not satisfied with my current job. I was assistant manager at Sketchers Shoe company. I dont want to do this for the rest of my life. I want to do something i enjoy. And so he says, well, you can be my producer and he said, whenever you feel comfortable, you can have your own show. So to be honest with you, the job actually fell out of the blue sky. I was not expecting it. The guy took a risk on me. A young kid who had no experience in radio. And god opened up the door and kind of took off from there. [inaudible question] people in this room you have met the last two president s. I have. Not that many paragraphs into the book. Can you tell us. I had the opportunity to meet president bush, obviously, through the white house internship, and i was on the heels, during that internship, and i still happy to see senator dick durbin and then senator barack obama, and i remember senator obama, nice to meet you, and he said, so, what brings you to washington . I said, well, sir, im a white house intern. And the conversation became very, very after that but it was still a cool moment. I had no idea. [inaudible] well, george w. Bush. Any questions . I do have books available for purchase. Id love to sign them for you. I think it will be helpful, especially for us as millenials, politicians always try to cater to us and people from previous generations always talk about the voice of the millenials, but its not as impactful, as powerful, when we talk amongst each other, we share our own stories, because its more than just dome meet treeus demetrius minor. Its you guys, the people not in this room that irmel len are millenials that can contribute. If we dont reach our own, who will . [inaudible question] [inaudible question] [inaudible question] thats a very good question. I think millenials are pessimistic towards religion for various reasons. I think its because of badder andend on their part. I think that bad experiences on their part. I think the church or Civic Community have had a negative mindset towards millenials sometimes were viewed as, theyre trying to take our jobs. Theyre smarter than us. And the humility approach. When i have had interactions with millenials that are not religious, that fine, because we still can find or at least i hope to find common ground, just because a person is not spiritual doesnt men i have a deaf ear towards. Thement but in the midst of conversation and building relationships, i dont compromise my beliefs. I still think you can build a cop census relationship with people without doing that. So, i tried to i just try to have the best lifestyle i can, to back up my beliefs, and i have found it to be much more helpful to approach people you dont even have to then them what your political ideaol is because if you live the life it will manifest within itself. [inaudible question] no. But i love d. C. I love the vibe of the hill. I love the Political Climate for a couple of days and then im glad to get out, but i am not im not thinking that god wants me to come back. Ive tried that. And every door was shut. I said, okay. I give up. I get it. [inaudible question] [inaudible question] what would you advise to up and coming millenials i think im pretty well accomplished. A whole cop continue gent of mill lineals here in d. C. Were successful and all unique individuals and all that and what can you recommend to people on how to be successful in Young Service circles. I tell people, be yourself, be unique, offer your own stories, bee authentic. What is your advice . Absolutely. My advice is, like you just said to be unique and to be confident in your uniqueness, and to everyone in here, everyone in here has a testimonial of some sort. It varies. But to share it, to build a personal relationship. I think one of our problems is that we focus so much on building a voter database instead of building relationships with people, and then we one door why we cant grow the movement, why we cant grow the party. Its because if youre waiting to election cycle to build a relationship with people, i wouldnt want to hear what you have to say. I think we have to be personal with people. And try to find like, try to find what it is you have in common with someone else. Because its so easy to say, oh, well, this person is an athiest. I cant be connected with them. Or this person likes sports. I dont like sports itch i cant be connected with them. We are defined by the associations we keep so we do have to be careful who we associate ourselves with, but if we ever want to grow the party, ever want to spread conservatism, we have to step outside off comfort zone. Thats what i think. [inaudible question] right. Up and coming young, dont [inaudible question] let me say this. Im involved with the church. We have the governor of our state my church for the most part is predominantly an africanamerican church. We had a white republican governor, and senator, republican, visit our congregation. And i had at least two people who have vote staunchly democrat say to me, im going to vote for the governor. Really. Why . He showed up. That simple. Now, this person went on and told his family he became a republican and didnt really go so well. And so he come back to me and is like, youre not going to believe what theyre calling me. I said one step at a time. I said i appreciate your boldness, but it starts with that. Showing up. Being involved. I dont think its rocket science. Sometimes we make it out to be. That how we grow. That how you grow relationships. I didnt make speaking of told his family he became a republican. Would you talk about your own similar experience . Sure. Without giving too much away. The 2000 election, the infamous bush vs. Gore, my godfather, who happens to be my pastor, who is africanamerican, said this. Demetrius, i will never try to tell you how to vote but i will tell you this [inaudible] so, obviously, that triggered something in me. I wasnt political. I wasnt involved in politics. And so i went home and i did my own research, and im conservative, and that was 2000. Its been a fun ride ever since. Thats how i became conservative and thats how i became interested in politics. Well, my initial interest in politics actually happened in part because of the Clinton Lewinski affair, because as a young child, you read the newspaper and i had to ask my parents, is this real . This real happening . You can imagine how they had to explain that to their son. That is when i said, this doesnt sound like [inaudible] following up on the excellent point, since a lot of people here are starting their careers, do you have any career advice or if you would like to ask some career advice right now would be a good time. I actually have another question besides that. Reince priebus, the chairman of mm republic republic republic party. Where do you see minorities how we can reach out to younger minorities. I dont know if you head the books by Barack ObamasCampaign Manager but they were very, very good, at making sure that they could reach out to that generation on facebook and twitter. What does the party need to do to reach out. Thats interesting because in the state of georgia im involved with the georgia minority engagement, which is a subdivision of the georgia g. O. P. , and im just of the thought that we have a great message. We just have horrible messengers. And so we have people with the mindset, thats not going to vote for us anyway, so were doing all we can. No, youre not doing all you can. I believe it starts with i believe for so long the g. O. P. , when they approach minorities, they automatically are sensitive. We have a lot in common. We care about families, care about their communities, for the most part very spiritual minded. So if way walk in their with some mentality of trying to focus on things we agree on, instead of things that drive us apart, i believe that we have become more successful, and case in point, just by the governor showing up to our church, that had a very positive response on our minority members. When you talk about issues like School Choice, when you talk about issues like criminal justice reform, and for example, a lady in our church, month ago, maybe two, said, i love you, demetrius. She says youre a republican but i still love you. We had a good crackle about that. I said, let me ask you a few questions. She said go ahead. I said do you believe in School Choice . She says, yes. Are you prochoice or prolife. Prolife. Talked about traditional marriage. Of course i believe in traditional marriage. I said, congratulations. Youre more conservative than you think. She said, really . That right do there im not saying the next day she would vote republican but automatically built a relationship with her. I built an interest in her. She is going to come back, shes going to want to talk about issues, shes going to want to talk about candidates, because i didnt look at her and say, will you vote democrat . Your dumb . You dont know what your talking about . Another thing that gets news trouble is that were so quick to give people a history. And our hoyt our history is very important. Vital to our existence. Lincoln freed the slaves but what are you doing now . People dont want to hear about the 1800s. They want to hear about what is happening in 2015, and how its impacting their community. So, just got talk to people. They wont bite. I promise you. My question is, so, myself as well as a lot of my peers are recent college graduates. Congratulations. Thank you, as someone who has accomplished so much in so many different areas at such a young age, what advice you give to someone starting their professional career, that might not know exactly what they want to do with their life yet. Ive been there. Still kind of am. First of all, you talk about as far as, like, job, careerwise or following your purpose. I cannot tell you what your purpose is, of course that is something that will come to you over time. I would urge you to pray about it and i would encourage you to think about what is it im passionate about . What is it that drives me . And i believe, as you ask yourself those key questions, you would get an idea of what youre called to do, and also i will encourage you that when you see something that you sense is adverse and when the results are not panning out the way you thought they would, dont lose faith. Because if god called you to do it, it comes back. [inaudible question] oh, boy. Actually, the previous question about minority engagement. [inaudible] specifically as senator paul has done a lot of work on this. Do you have any comments on his approach to minority engagement . Well, yes as far as that on some domestic issues, i think senator paul has done a fine job. He has gone to places that republicans generally have not gone. For example, howard university. He has gone to detroit. Sort of taken upon the proverbial mantle of jack kemp, and i applaud his efforts. He is talking about stuff like criminal justice reform, things like that, that is so vital to the Africanamerican Community. And thats great but every republican should be every conservative should be doing that, because its part of our platform. Part of our belief. So, he has done a great job in that respect. My governor, governor diehl, who sort of is a National Figure within republican circles for criminal just reform, has gained traction in the Africanamerican Community for going out and doing that and also for trying to revamp failing schools, and he has had a lot of resistance not just from the left but also those in his own circles because when you want to change something and when you want to start anew and start fresh, not everybody will be on the same page. [inaudible] gist want too thank everybody for coming here. Demetrius is going to be with us a wee bit so feel free to check him out and his book. Also want to say that this evening is living proof that good things can come out of facebook because thats where i first met demetrius. This evening was also brought to us one more time by a grant from the frank a. Fresco and milly Fresco Foundation for which we are most grateful. Well keep you apprised of all develop ill develop an email relationship of upcoming events. Ty for joining us. Have a good night. And theres more pizza. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] booktv is on instagram. Follow us for publishing