This weekend, Dexter Bridgeman, publisher of Legacy Magazine, salutes South Florida’s 50 most powerful Black businessmen and women. This year’s honorees include Bill Diggs, president and CEO of Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce; T. Willard Fair, president of the Urban League of Greater Miami; and Damita Salters, VP and consumer market manager for Bank of America. The event will be held at the Bonaventure Resort & Spa.
How did you determine your career path?
When I was 19, I met Earl G. Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise magazine.
Who do you consider your peers in your field and who do you admire most?
Among my peers, I admire Bill Diggs and all that he does. R. Donahue Peebles reminds me I’m not working hard enough.
Outside of your industry, name two role models for success.
My parents — they’ve always been my role models.
Name three books that changed how you saw life.
I’ll give you two; John Johnson’s biography, publisher of Ebony magazine, he’s the godfather of my industry.
Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? by Reginald Lewis
Technology plays what role in your daily life?
A huge role, I could not perform without it, 20 – 30 years ago, people were doing the same thing, and we’re just doing it faster now.
Describe your favorite vacation spot.
I don’t take much vacation; I like to cook for my friends.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Less poverty, no one should be hungry, with all the food we have, no one should starve.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I haven’t had a vacation in over 10 years; maybe I should take some time to smell the roses. But keep in mind, my career isn’t work for me; I love it.
Favorite sports team?
The Washington Redskins, I’m also a Knicks fan, but the Redskins are my favorite. I grew up in D.C., moved to NYC for high school, went to college at Hofstra on Long Island and spent 30 years there; it’s pretty much home.
