Nelson Mandela – Most committed, Most sacrificed, Most accomplished
20 years ago before today, Nelson Mandela stepped out of South Africa’s Victor Verster prison a free man. He was his country’s most famous freedom fighter. He was convicted of treason in 1964 and given a life sentence for opposing South African apartheid. He served 27 years before receiving a pardon.
Once free, Mandela worked with South Africa’s white president, F.W. de Klerk to end those policies, knocking down the pillars of segregation one at a time. Three years after his release from prison, Mandela and de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize. The African National Congress that was banned in 1961 was once again legal, elected Mandela as its presidential candidate. Mandela won South Africa’s presidential election in a landslide in 1994, the country’s first black president.
“We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free,” he said in his inauguration speech. “Their dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward. We are both humbled and elevated by the honor and privilege that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as the first President of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government.”
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination,” he said. “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony, and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realized. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
“I have traveled this long road to freedom,” he wrote. “I trust I did not falter. I made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that, after crossing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to cross.”
Twenty years ago, there was no freedom for Mandela, no freedom for black South Africans. There may be more hills to cross, but black South Africans are no longer strangers to freedom.
Pastor Eddie Seals – my spiritual hero
When my father pasted away in 1996 I felt alone. I felt that there was no one above me; everyone else was my equal. My bosses, my professors, my elders were people I could learn from. Yet I was my own man and I had just as much to offer as the next man. As I grew within my career, so did my pride. I eventually learned the importance of humility. I learned that regardless of how much of a leader or maverick I may want to be, I needed men in my life that I could submit my allegiance to. I sought out leaders and men of high integrity that I could mimic for my own continual growth.
After many years of a difficult search, I unfortunately found very few mentors that I could respect deeply. Every man needs a spiritual leader, mine is Pastor Eddie Seals, founder of the Church of Destiny. Eddie and I grew up in the same neighborhood and even as a childhood friend, he always carried himself with strong intelligence and a record of making good decisions. With him as my spiritual Sheppard, my strength is multiplied. He married my wife and I, and continues to serve as the commanding voice that evokes God’s grace in my life.
Everyone needs a spiritual guide…everyone
America I am
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Tavis Smiley is a journalist who has taken it upon his self to be a barer of truth to not only America, but to African Americans. As celebrities, as well as average human beings, we have an opportunity to choose our impact.
“America I Am” is brought by Tavis Smiley, it is a traveling African American museum that exhibits the indelible imprint of African Americans on this country. Through more than 150 rare historic objects, documents, photos and multimedia that have shaped American culture, we can find our pride.
My non-profit organization will be co-sponsoring a large group of African American men of all 
ages to attend the exhibit at the California Science Center Exposition Park, Los Angeles later this month. Young and old, all in suits and ties to display our progress and our pride. United we learn, united we stand, united we remain. We encourage everyone to experience history while the exhibit is here in Los Angeles (or touring in your town).
Tavis Smiley… Being a Hero by awakening our consciousness of our Heroes
The unknow slave statue
Champs de Mars, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Statue honoring Haitian unknown freedom fighters using the conch shell to make a rally call of freedom.
Be a Hero yourself
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What a difference a $5 text donation will make? GIVE MONEY or
Donate blood to the Red Cross and GIVE LIFE.
When mentoring is done right, it is a transference of values and a world view
Bill Strickland
CEO
Manchester Bidwell Corporation
If you’re a man with a clean conscious, speak with a clean conscious and the world will know
Wyclef Jean
Haitian immigrant, musician, ambassador of the true interest and needs of the Haitian people…The MLK of Haiti
Romaine Harris – Past, Present & Future
My son
They say it skips a generation
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My hero, my Dad. The kindest handler of his business, courage under fire yet cool as a late-night breeze. I am who I am because he was who he was, and he cared enough to let me know him. Fathers, take your place.
Who are your true and real life heroes?
