Will Smith: The Black Millionaire Blueprint for Success

Born Willard Christopher Smith Jr. on Oct. 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Smith grew up amidst the middle classes, his mother serving on the school board and his father owning a refrigeration company, installing and maintaining freezer cabinets in supermarkets. The second of four children (the younger Harry and Ellen are twins), Will was a bright child, constantly playing upon his natural charm, a habit which, at Philly’s legendary Overbrook High School, earned him the nickname Prince.

 The Smiths were a Baptist family, yet Will would attend a Catholic school. His neighbourhood was half populated by Orthodox Jews, and close by was a strongly Muslim area. School was 90 percent white, but 90 percent of Smith’s playmates were black. He learned how to be liked by everyone.