AUBURN - Sean McLeod help found Change International to create a resource for the community to talk about diversity, what it really means and to promote multiculturalism.

Four of the founding members are successful black men from Auburn and are a diverse group with a variety of expertise.

McLeod serves as the president and CEO of New York Institute of Dance and Education; Demetrius Murphy is an assistant vice president for First Niagara Bank; Lonnie Love is a supervisor for the Hillside Children's Center; and Robert Ellison Jr., is a case manager for Cayuga Counseling.

Additional members include Brian Morey, associate producer for White Nite Productions; Jerami Kipp, SUNY Purchase; and Robert Ellison's son, Quendel Ellison, of Trinity Pawling Prep School.

The organization will offer suggestions to inspire inclusion, launch programs the members find are lacking, and assist other agencies. The representatives will offer contributions of time, people, resources and ideas.

While the group now consists of all males, McLeod stressed anyone who is interested in serving the community is welcome to approach the group. Change International, he says, can act as a bridge between other organizations that may lack members of the community it will affect.

The members were looking at ways to improve communication in the various groups or circles among Auburn and Cayuga County, Murphy said.

The men talked about the frustrations they shared.

The organization's launch comes sandwiched between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. The committee has some events planned for February, including an athletic initiative.

“We will move to action and never be afraid of a mistake,” McLeod said.

The organization will endorse projects meant to reach the community. If an organizer wants its event to be seen on a broad basis, then Change International representatives will suggest ways to make it multicultural friendly. It may recommend ways to reach or include a demographic that is excluded.

“If the city or the county have a grand initiative, without invitation if necessary, we'll comment if it's reaching for inclusion for the entire community,” McLeod said.

They want to make sure groups are represented, including women, low-income residents, different races, disabled people, and so on.

When a new initiative or program comes out, they will be vocal about any absence of representation. They may raise questions as to if that was by design or accident, so they can prevent exclusion in the future.

“It's not about us,” Love said. “It's about change.”

The men want to show people in the same demographic group can't be lumped together. For that reason, there can never be one leader for the black community. Therefore, Change International has a group of people, all with their own views, ideas and opinions.

“Everyone has a voice. Everyone is heard,” Love said.

The first goal is to work with black men in the community to acknowledge achievement as well as encourage it. The community needs to inspire leaders.

Murphy said he wants to bring people to the table to encourage them to find their voices.

“Our voices are equal at being heard,” McLeod said. “It's the not the way it is, but it's the way it should be.”

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net