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Take a Lesson From the early days of slavery, African Americans have contributed or participated in some form of the business world (whether it was being traded off or picking crop for the next season). African Americans were not greatly accepted in white corporate America. However, African Americans have started to vertically climb up the corporate ladder by becoming a part of what was once known as a racist (culturally biased) corporate world. The stereotype that was placed on African Americans is gradually becoming extinct. Presently, African Americans are now entrepreneurs, partners, presidents, and CEO’s of not only some of America’s major corporations, but international corporations as well. These individuals entailed in the paper have all paved the way for young African Americans to follow their dreams. They have also informed us-the reader-of ways to do so. Marcia Ann Gillespie is the President of Liberty Media and the Editor and Chief of Ms. Magazine. In her brief article she describes how determination as well as faith, brought her through some troublesome times. She was always to go out on a whim, even though it may not have been the right thing to do. From an early, age Marcia was always told to speak her mind. She was even put out of Sunday school for her inquisitive comment on Adam and Eve. She has worked with many companies such as: Time Inc., Essence Magazine and Ms. Magazine. Her main goal in life was to determine what was her purpose in life. She realized at the age of 36, that money and fame were not important, if she was not in touch with herself. Ms. Gillespie’s key to is to admire people who go to work everyday and give there all instead of those who are famous; but most of all stay true to yourself. Sylvester Green learned that with an open mind, anything is possible. Mr. Green is the Executive Vice President of Chubb & Sons. Green came from a very low income farming home. He never imagined becoming an insurance salesman. However, when he was awarded the opportunity he jumped at it. His views on success are: (1) you have to be turned on by the reality of success; (2) you’ve got to want it; (3) you have to bring something to the party. He also says that, he just can’t give instructions on success, “This is what it takes to be successful today: Add this, subtract that, and the result is what is required” (Take a Lesson). Throughout his career he felt as if he were alone, that neither race understood him (in the business world).
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