Why Brains Of Obese People Are Different From Those With…
Meet The Clutch's Less Expensive Cousin
I love reading about people who have done extraordinary things in business, so I was thrilled when I came across this column about Michael Roberts, who, if you're like me, is one of the richest black men you've never heard of. Unlike Bob Johnson or Oprah, Roberts is no billionaire. But his estimated $800 million empire (don't ask me where that number came from), is nothing to sneeze at. Turns out wrote a book about his experiences, so I'll be at Barnes & Noble later today.
The thing I liked most about reading about Roberts is that he seems to be able to say motivational things that don't come off motivational-speechy, like this ditty from the Post-Dispatch column: "The presumption that you should only have one job . . . is really a way to make you limit your own prospects."
Here's a link to a bunch of other articles and radio appearances about him.
Comments: (44)
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By: Cecil Jones on 6/08/2007 11:18AM
You make it seem like being successful is a hard thing? What makes success hard is the long line of people standing in line waiting to exploit our best and brightest ideas. The way to get rich is to find a way to make money while sleeping. Corporations make you sign statements that prevent you from working two jobs. Who wants to work for someone else if you can work for yourself? I'm not a success because I don't want to bend over. How many other Blacks feel the same way? Is it just me and Gary Sheffield?
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By: deeceevoice on 6/12/2007 9:36AM
Never heard of the guy, but good to know of him. I don't think I'll be heading to Barnes & Noble, though, for another of this guys "ditties."
BTW, a ditty is an amusing or light-hearted song, usually short and, more often than not, frankly, kind of simple-minded. I don't think that's what you meant. And no. I'm not trying to be snide or petty; I just figured you'd appreciate the information -- and misuse of the language bugs me. [A tip: B&N is a good place to score a dictionary or a thesaurus, too. ;)]
And to the brother who says, "I'm not a success becaause I don't want to bend over" -- that comes off like a weak excuse, a cop-out. Sounds to me like you might want to reconsider what in your mind constitutes "success," because it's not about bending over or any other posture, but about preparation, perspective and perseverance.
Peace.
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By: cynthia on 6/12/2007 9:36AM
Being a success isn't measured by how much money you have. Or at least it shouldn't be! What is great today is Black American's can do whatever they dream. Making a path for the young folks to travel and surpass those who have gone before them. As for the signing of contracts I am against it. We have become a contract world for everything. The cable company wants a year contract as does the cell phone companies. If your service and product are good enough you shouldn't need to suck people into a contract. A corporation wanting a contract to prevent you from working at a second place is to me another form of slavery. Trapping a person seems to now be the norm.
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By: deeceevoice on 6/12/2007 7:13AM
*sigh* I know I should have proofread. That's "guy's." Yep. Punctuation matters, too. ;)
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By: Syl on 6/12/2007 9:35AM
I work in a factory 12 long,hot,miserable hours a day and I try so darn hard to take care of my two teenage daughters who is running wild while I am at work.I just wish God had cared enough for me to just supply my minimal needs, like a decent place to live and sleep and nutricious food to feed my family.Why aren" some of you millionaires trying to help the less fortunate who IS REALLY trying to SURVIVE in this MISERABLE world.God knows if I were rich I would help so very many people who are struggling and really trying to survive and take care of their family.
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By: Laura Mahalale-El on 6/12/2007 9:35AM
Hope he is as rich in the spirit. Also You know the parable.
The eye of the needle. Gotta give back!
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By: Ice'es on 6/12/2007 9:35AM
when I saw the article heading that said "richest black man you've never heard of", i thought i was going to see an article on a successful black man, but instead i saw a picture of the whitest looking man with green eyes and slicked back brown hair. it's amazing the people that black folks will claim nowadays
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By: Omega INX on 6/12/2007 9:44AM
To Comment #2 ..YOU are not trying to be snide or petty..LOL..then you say this.. I just figured you'd appreciate the information -- and misuse of the language bugs me. [A tip: B&N is a good place to score a dictionary or a thesaurus, too. ;)]..LOL..Once again..what a jerk you come across as being..Once again someone of color helps me to see that it is just not some of the white people that write in this blog that are plain idiots...OH and if you are a main voice in D.C. I bet you alot of people are truly not listening..
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By: Tracy Wright on 6/12/2007 10:43AM
To hear about successful people is very refreshing. We are always bombarded with the negative. For Authentic Designer Footwear http://executees.net
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By: Mavis on 6/13/2007 10:14PM
Syl why should your lack of planning be a rich mans burden? Why do some of us believe somebody owes us something? In previous generations our families instilled the value of hard work and education. Even some of the poorest! (Read the Ditch Digger's Daughters) We are blessed to reap the fruits of the labor of those who came before us. Yet some of us want to remain poor mouthed.
I am sorry that you are in a tight spot right now. But don't be bitter. Some things are in our control like, what we do with an education, or when we decide to become parents. If you are in reasonable health it is never too late. You obviously have access to a computer research a different career path and scholarships to get there. Also get a subscription to Black Enterprises for inspiration.
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