Cyrus Walker Alexander III, a graduate of Catawba College, is a remarkable father and grandfather. Through everything he does, he aims to inspire and influence youth to be the best they can be. Having survived prostate cancer, Alexander is grateful for his family, his health and the life experiences that got him to where he is today.
What legacy are you leaving for your children & the children of your community?
I’ve tried very hard to be a “positive” role model for my daughter & grandchildren. I live by the motto- “things work out best, for those who make the best of the way things work out.” [This] simply means: keep grinding no matter what your circumstance may be & always try to present yourself in a positive light. Your character is all you have.
Why is it important to expose children to education & valuable skills?
Once you gain an education and a valuable skill, it is up to you to build on your education or your skill. People say, “Practice makes Perfect.” No, I believe, “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.” Strive for perfection.
As a father & life coach describe your playbook.
Discipline is an orderly process by which you set out to reach a goal. Discipline is doing the right thing a the right time all the time. Have a competitive nature, believe in yourself, be poised at all times, understand accountability & punctuality. And finally, understand that to achieve success in any endeavor, it takes hard work, faith & patience.
What insightful advice would you suggest about building a network?
Trust is a “key” factor in building a network around you. Also, have people in your network you can learn from on a daily basis. Always be an acute “listener.” Don’t hear, but listen.
Name one life lesson that no one taught you, but you should have.
Learning how to handle adversity, because, at some point in each of our lives, adversity is going to rear its ugly head, and how you handle it, will go a long way in how successful you will be in life.
How does following your spiritual values help in life?
My spiritual values are the foundation of my existence. Proverbs 3:5&6 — “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Why is writing down your fatherhood goals for life so important? Share your most valued & treasured fatherhood goal.
I always wanted to provide every opportunity for my daughter to have a successful life, by instilling the proper values necessary for an African-American female to have: be confident, independent, responsible & accountable for your own actions. [Have] good character, act like a lady at all times, [be] industrious, be a hard worker, have faith in God, that he will see you through. I’m trying as best as possible to instill those same values in my three grandchildren.
