When I think about brand champions, I think about people who are driven by a passion for their cause. I think about people who's core values guide them to support their passion and to help others. I think about people like David Shrader. I first met David (most people, including he, called him Dave, I called him David) when I was a young, naive education professional. I was working for an arts school at the time and had the fortune of connecting with someone who became a mentor to me.
David helped me understand what it meant to be ethical, professional and thorough in my job. He also introduced me to the arts and the value of education in our world. In many regards David provided me with the start to a great career in education. I would not be such an advocate or consulting with schools in their advocacy efforts had it not been for much the skills that David instilled in me. I thank him for that.
Like many all too familiar situations I did never told David any of this in person and won't have the chance to do so. He passed on October 18. As I do with all posts, I went to Google and Bing to find some images or references to David to support his post. This is the first time that I found nothing. At first I was frustrated because I was concerned that the post would feel diluted without a photo of David or an image of one of his great quilts. Then I realized this way is better. It is more Shrader-like.
Having no images of David or his work on the Internet is David being David. He would not want a ton of references about him on the Internet. He would prefer that the light shine on others. That was who he was. This was a man who preferred others take the credit and he the necessary work behind the scenes. His pleasure was seeing others be credited. He liked to keep things simple. So I will honor that today with a simple post about a larger than life person.
Thank you David Shrader for all you contributed to the arts and those of us who you helped play a role. You were a true brand champion for the arts.
Peace.
Rex Whisman
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