Scores of accomplished African American
executives and entrepreneurs were recently honored at the Atlanta
Business League Men of Influence Awards. Afterward, several took a
moment to share with rolling out ways to help create the next generation of pioneers, barrier breakers and history makers.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: What are three business tips that you can give to aspiring Young Executives?
1. Keep it in the middle of the road. We are faced with a lot of things.
2. You have to be mindful of the fact that you represent more than just
that company. You represent that family. You represent God.
3. Above all, always seek to do the very, very best job that you can do
David Manuel, author, I AM a Father: Celebrating African American Fathers
1. I would say work hard — learn. You cannot learn enough about the program or project.
2. Be passionate about what you do.
3. At the end of the day, it’s about the purpose and not the profit.
… If you have that sort of mentality, you will move forward and move
very large in this community.
Nathaniel Bronner Jr., The Ark of Salvation senior pastor, and
Century Systems president, (son of legendary Bronner Brothers founder,
Nathaniel Bronner Sr.):
1. Do something that suits your talents and your love. Whatever you do, you ought to feel like you enjoy going to work.
2. You got to understand, whenever you want to grow something, often
you have to plant a seed and that seed will stay in the ground a long,
long time before it sprouts. I started my business in 1988. It took me
seven years before I ever drew the first dime from that business.
3. You have to be honest in what you do. If you don’t want to sell it
to your mother, then you shouldn’t sell it to the general public.
John B. Hammond III, CEO, 100 Black Men of America, Inc:
1. A lot of guys you have talked to have followed their passion … pursue as if it’s the most important thing in your life.
2. [After you] find your passion, find people around you who can help support your accomplishments.
3. Find positive people who will uplift and encourage you. There are a
lot of things in life that are going to drag you down everyday.
