Each year
before and after the annual 4th of July celebrations across the nation, there
will invariably be national news commentaries about the “American Dream.” At a time of great challenges within
the American and global economy, it is more than fitting to take an assessment
on the state of social and economic progress. For the majority of more than 40 million Black Americans as
well as for millions of others the possibilities of attaining the happiness and
prosperity of the American Dream may appear to very difficult, if not
impossible, to reach. That is why
when someone from our community does attain wealth and prosperity it is
important to look into how that outstanding success was achieved.
Recently
on CNN’s State of the Union with Candy Crowley a special was broadcast on “Making
It in America.” The CNN special
featured Shaun Donovan, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
personal finance expect Suze Orman, and entertainment and financial services
mogul Russell Simmons. “Making It
in America” basically concluded that the American dream is still possible to
fulfill, but it will require hard work, personal focus, getting the right
information and acting on it in a timely manner, and steadfastness of faith and
belief in your own capabilities to fulfill the dream of doing good and doing
well.
I have
known and worked with Russell Simmons for over 20 years. He is a hard worker and he is focused
on how to give and to inspire others to reach their true potentials in the
journey of life. Russell’s segment
with Candy Crowley was interesting and revealing. Simmons was introduced as the visionary Chairman of
Globalgrind.com and co-founder with Rick Ruben of one of the most successful
record companies in the history of popular culture and music: Def Jam
Recordings. Def Jam’s list of
artists from the earliest days of hip-hop and R&B music to today reads like
a who’s who list of some of the most gifted, talented, and high achieving
recording artists in the world including but not limited to: Jay-Z, Kanye West,
Lady Gaga, Nas, Rihanna, Ludacris, Rick Ross, DMX, Public Enemy, Run DMC, LL
Cool J, Big Sean, Young Jeezey, Beastie Boys, Chingy, Pattie LaBelle, Foxy
Brown, Ja Rule, Musig, Slick Rick, Young Buck, Ron Isley, Dru Hill, Damon Dash,
Juelz Santana, Cam’ron, Jim Jones and the Diplomats, and Beanie Sigel.
But, what
caught my attention most was Simmons’ direct response to Crowley’s question
concerning his personal wealth and how he was able to become a multi-million
dollar mogul today from where he started out on the street decades ago in
Queens, New York. Russell
answered, “The goal was to get rid of neediness. Neediness is what causes so
much suffering in the world today. Through my spiritual practice I have learned how to be
content. I know the value of
giving.”
Having
lots of money was not Simmons’ life goal. His goal was to serve and to give. Russell Simmons is known as the Godfather of hip-hop not because he has “muscled
someone” or strong armed somebody. Simmons has this title because he has a lifetime record of giving
opportunity to others in the industry and throughout the world plus through his
many philanthropic and other nonprofit organizations such as the Rush
Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, the
Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).
SUPER
RICH: A Guide To Having It All is the latest bestselling book by Russell
Simmons. According to Simmons in
this book, there are two paths to enlightenment which are necessary, if one is
to find true fulfillment in life. First, one must strive to be conscious and remain conscious of what is
happening to all people and things in the world. Second, there are universal rewards with multiple gifts and
opportunities for those who learn the value of self-acceptance,
self-improvement through meditation, and the happiness that comes from giving.
But, I know from personal observation that Simmons knows what struggle is all
about. He knows the importance of
fighting for freedom, justice, equality, and empowerment. Consciousness about
the suffering in the world is important to the point that you should care
enough to give to the struggle to end poverty and neediness. Being prosperous
is not just about “having, it is about “giving.” That’s Simmons mantra. That’s his success model.
In
Russell’s own words, “Happy can make you money, but money can’t make you happy.” This is the key to the real wealth of
Russell Simmons. We need more happy soldiers in the cause of making the world a
better place. But, before we can
change the world, we have to change ourselves by increasing our awareness,
consciousness, commitment, and actions to open more doors so that all people
can find true prosperity, happiness, equality, and empowerment.
Dr.
Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is Senior Advisor to the Black Alliance for Educational
Options and President of Educational Online Services Corporation.
