Panelists from a bevy of career fields offered advice on how others could enjoy similar success during the "It's All About Success" seminar held in LA-101 on April 23.
Designed specifically for African-American males, the event aimed to showcase examples of men with excellent jobs and let them share with the crowd how they achieved them.
"These guys have great jobs and they want you to have great jobs," John Wade, president the African-American Staff Association, who hosted the event, said.
Members of the diverse panel, ranging from bank administrators to firefighters, each told their story and talked about ways for students to enjoy similar success.
"It was a great learning experience," student Alex Levels said. "Everything they talked about is what I'm going through."
Calvin Andrews, who works as senior vice president of the BDA Sports management agency, spoke at the event, advising students in the crowd to set plans and apply themselves.
"Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness," Andrews said. "You need to be prepared to take advantage of an opportunity."
Like many in the panel and audience, Andrews grew up in Richmond and assured everyone that just because somebody is born in a certain area does not mean they cannot succeed.
President of 100 Black Men of the Bay Area Daryle Whyte also spoke at the event. Whyte, along with his fellow panelists, emphasized the significance of a college diploma in relation to attaining highly respected careers.
"A degree is something no one can take away from you," he said.
Whyte also said success is an ongoing journey and someone cannot truly attain it unless they assist others.
"Success is giving back to others and making them successful," he said.
Other panelists, such as Mechanics Bank Administrator Erwin Reeves, expressed similar sentiments, while also advising members of the audience to organize their priorities.
"When you get into the work world, being tough is not going to help," Reeves said. "You need to take care of yourself (and) take care of your family."
Contact Alec Surmani at asurmani.advocate@gmail.com.
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