Robert H. Bolton is the National Director of Special Events for the United Negro College Fund, where he assists with executing nearly 70 signature and special events. Prior to working for the UNCF, he ran R.H. Bolton, Inc., a special events consulting firm. He is an award-winning professional and co-founder of Morehouse College’s “A Candle in the Dark” Gala.
In 2011, he and his wife established The Pink Frog Foundation, an Atlanta-based breast cancer foundation that provides maid service, nutrition support, and transportation to individuals while they are undergoing breast cancer treatment. Bolton is a Morehouse College alumnus, a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and an active member of Cascade United Methodist Church. He and his wife are the proud parents of Micah Brinai, who is a college sophomore. Bolton shared with rolling out what fatherhood has taught him.
Why is it important to expose children to education and valuable skills?
For me, education has been transformative. My grandparents helped raise me and they only completed elementary school in rural Georgia. They always stressed and encouraged me and other family members to make good grades and get a good education. As a result of their nurturing, I completed high school and college. Today, college education and a graduate degree are required, and they open so many doors for you, including increasing your lifetime earning potential.
Which fatherhood experiences have taught you the most about yourself?
On the day my daughter was born, I realized then what an awesome responsibility that I had to nurture and provide for her. Regardless of what I didn’t receive as a son from my father and stepfather, I now had the responsibility of raising my daughter to be God-fearing, loving, caring and giving. I also had to do everything within my power to develop her into a strong woman so that she would be equipped to make a difference and impact our community, this nation, and even the world.
Name one life lesson that no one taught you, but should have.
I wish that I would have been taught more about financial literacy. What I have learned has been by trial and error. It is important to give, save and invest.
What advice would you give on being responsible for your own dreams?
It is important to set goals and dream big. Without this, you will be marginalized to mediocrity. It is also important that your journey to success will always be a team effort. There is an old saying … if you see a turtle on the top of a fence pole, he or she didn’t get there by themselves.
Share one of your fondest memories you’ve experienced with your father, grandfather or father figure.
Both my grandfather and father drove a taxicab when I was growing up. I loved riding around the city of Atlanta with them. During these trips, they would share life nuggets with me and point out things to avoid. I will always cherish those moments.
