success
The road to success is always under construction; share your equations for success — and learn some new ones.
Robert L. Johnson
Enamored with television and the potential power it held, Robert Louis Johnson envisioned a network all his own. That channel would one day be Black Entertainment Television or B.E.T. After graduating from Princeton University, he realized his vision and built what would become the first black-founded company to appear on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2002, when he sold BET for $3 billion, he became the first black billionaire in American history.
By Skyler Saunders6 years ago in Motivation
From Lost Black Boy To Found Black Man
Inspiration is an understatement, when it comes to this BLACK KING! My biggest inspiration, is a 28 year old African American who goes by Yusuf Abraham Kamara. Most call him “Minds”. From living in Africa most of his life, to single handedly building a clothing brand bigger than he could have ever imagined, within the past 7 years (in California). He has impacted many artists around the world with his clothing brand “Affiliated Minds”. As a lost boy/artist, he always felt as if he was always trying to create a home for himself. Needless did he know he created a home for himself and thousands of others through his brand! He has sponsored over 3000 people throughout these past 7 years, even when his bank accounts were in the negatives. The most astonishing thing about him, is that the majority of his 60,000 followers have no idea who he is! It’s extremely rare these days, to see someone THIS PASSIONATE about what they’ve built. I’ve never seen anyone deny money as much as him. A true giver indeed. He once told me, that he sees things in people way before they see it in themselves, which is why he’s sponsored so many underrated artists, to give them something to believe in and keep going. To give them a place to always call home.
By Affiliated Minds6 years ago in Motivation
A Phoenix from the Quarantine
I believe we attract what we seek, which is why the feigned struggle for white America to find Black excellence deeply annoys me. It’s a slovenly stance—one I see often as a Black climber. Outdoor companies bemoan not knowing of any Black adventure enthusiasts in the way I imagine news outlets scramble to highlight Black business owners, or how galleries might wring their hands searching for Black artists. ‘We just don’t know where to look,’ they cry to the heavens, scanning homogenized spaces with whiteness blinders on. ‘It’s just so hard to find Black people that (insert literally anything interesting here).’ And sadly, the truth is at one point, I also believed that lie—even as a Black artist myself; racism taught me my otherness, but whiteness taught me exceptionalism. Whiteness claims intelligence & creativity as unique to itself, and that not only was my existence an anomaly but that I would certainly never find more Black people like me.
By Devin Dabney6 years ago in Motivation
Black Queens Inventions
Let’s Start With Madam C.J Walker, Who’s Real Name Is Actually Sarah Breedlove. See She Was Born To Enslaved Sharecroppers. And Was Orphaned At The Young Age Of Seven. But Why Is That Important?. See You Need To Get A Hint Of Her Before Life. Now What Made Her Invent What She Did?. Well, She Sufffered From Hair Loss From A Scalp Condition. And So That Motivated Her To Create Black Hair Care. Why Do You Look Up To Her?. As A Black Woman Who Wants To Own A Business And Become Somebody Was A Hard Vision. Firstly, I’m Black And We Don’t Get Many Chances To Beat Society Odds. And Secondly, I’m A Woman And That There Is Just Hard As Is. And Seeing Where Walker Started And How She Finished Inspired Me. She Ended Up Being A Self-Made Millionare With A Cosmetic Business That Never Stopped Being In Business.
By Lucille Blount6 years ago in Motivation
Being a Black Business Owner is as American as Apple Pie
20 Year Navy Career “How many years were you in the Navy?” I asked Drae over a game of Scrabble. He stared intently at the board, not willing to take his eyes away from the game for even a moment to answer my question. “Oh, I was in the Navy for some twenty years.” Drae moved his hands across the board, placing his first word, REAR. “I was the Scrabble champion back in the Navy. No one could beat me.”
By Nicole Davis6 years ago in Motivation
Fortune Favors the Bold
Fortune favors the bold…or so they say. And who, exactly, are “THEY”, anyway? Have you ever wondered that? Like, who are “THEY” and what makes them so smart? And man, do “THEY” have a lot to say! Fortune favors the bold. From the Latin, “Audentis fortuna iuvat.” ~Virgil.
By Lori Van Aken6 years ago in Motivation
John H.Johnson
As a small boy growing up in Arkansas City, Arkansas, John Harold Johnson nurtured big dreams. You might think having darker skin than other children would have held him back from achieving those dreams, but you’d be wrong. He was undeterred by potential obstacles like race and poverty. He followed his dreams, and found a way to go from government assistance as a child, to the Forbes list of 400 richest Americans as a grown man.
By Skyler Saunders6 years ago in Motivation
The Story of a Man Named, Herb
There was a man who was seen as weak but he was very strong. His name was Herbert. Herbert was a kind man. He loved people and he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was extremely smart, and he was always willing to give a lending hand especially at the jobs he worked at. He would always say yes to the boss even if it meant cleaning the boss’ car or scrubbing the toilets if that’s what his boss wanted. Now, don’t get me wrong, Herbert was a well-educated man and he was probably one of the smartest people in his office. Not only was he a good man but he happened to value self growth and all the things that come with being a better person, but something still wasn’t right. Respect was the one thing that Herb desired most but what he was seeking will not be what he finds.
By Melissa Markowitz6 years ago in Motivation
One Wish
I was walking along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River one sunny afternoon and happened to see an old oil lamp half buried in a sand bar. I dug around the lamp and washed most of the river mud and sand off of it in the river. I mused about the possibilities of who had owned the lamp, whether or not it had lit the way for one of my ancestors who had lived in the area, where it had been, and how long it had been lost. It was tarnished and the river had partially sand-blasted it, but it was still a nice relic. I used the sleeve of my shirt to try to remove more of the sand and mud and shine it. The lamp shook and smoked in my hands and the strangest being I'd ever seen appeared before me. The old cuss looked like a cross between a coal miner and a rancher; a mix of the ancestors of us local folk. He wheezed a bit, said "Howdy", tipped his tattered hat, and smiled. He said many people had held that lamp along the river over the years, but only a certain person could release him from the lamp. I asked him what that meant, but he only said, "Though many are capable, truly great things are done by few, stay the course, you will be needed." He turned his eyes to follow a hawk searching the nearby lea for prey and then stooped and drank slowly from the river, as I had done many times. He cleared his throat and spoke again, "Try to think of all the things you want, what you truly feel in your heart and soul, tell me about them, but be brief, for I have not much time to spare here. I shall be free after granting you one wish, but it must be the right one. So, tell me what brings you here."
By Thomas Durbin6 years ago in Motivation
YASH QARAAH
As teenagers entering the stages of adulthood we are all inspired by an individual, for many their parents, grandparents, teachers and celebrities. The story of success starts at a very tender age, as we all know education is the key to success, along with the drive of enthusiasm, commitment and ambition.
By Sean Noble6 years ago in Motivation
