Thursday, February 1. 2007Interview with Kwame Jackson
Friday, September 8. 2006Yet another Place to Find Kwame Jackson.. Is on MySpace... No Kiddding, Here you go. http://www.MySpace.com/kwametjackson And, this folks is the real deal, he did this one himself and if you add yourself as a Kwame friend, it will be Him doing the clicking, not anyone else. Sunday, July 2. 2006About Kwame's Brother JoePublished Saturday, July 1, 2006 But in "Suite Success," a well-wrought variation on the much-written-about theme of the power of positive thinking, psychologist Liza Siegel makes it abundantly clear that there was no call to shed any tears for that reality TV show contestant when he came in second in the finals of the first season of "The Apprentice." Siegel points out that after Donald Trump hired another contestant, billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban waited for hours at Jackson’s after-show party to make a job offer to the fired contestant and that Goldman Sachs, Jackson’s former employer, also offered him a substantial salary to come back. "Although he ‘lost’ the apprenticeship, Kwame has become one of reality television’s most sought-after public speakers. He addresses both college students and Fortune 500 company executives, the latter including those from American Express, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, and General Electric," Siegel writes. The author is a consulting psychologist for both "The Apprentice" and "Survivor" reality TV shows. But all the reality show profiles she uses to underscore her observations and recommendations in this book are of "The Apprentice" candidates. And, although most of them, such as Jackson, were fired at some point in their seasons, none was a loser. Of Jackson, she writes further: "Most recently, Kwame was honored as the first African-American guest speaker sponsored by the London School of Economics Students’ Union Business Society at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science. He has a $3.8 billion real estate deal in the works, a company called Legacy Holdings, and lifetime bragging rights to having survived ten boardrooms in the very first season of a show that will certainly leave an indelible mark on popular culture." Siegel cites Jackson as a personification of the idea that treating people decently matters in both business and social life. Another word for that is "resonance" - a quality that enables a leader to bring out the best in each team member based upon the member’s goals, values and priorities. Jackson, of course, had more than resonance. He exhibited all the positive characteristics that Siegel lists as essential to successful entrepreneurship and leadership. Those other essential qualities cited by Siegel are optimism, creativity, resilience, self-control, passion, emotional awareness and sociability. Other fired and hired contestants are used to illustrate those attributes. Siegel emphasizes that all the contestants on "The Apprentice" are winners. They had to be to be chosen to compete for the honor of serving under Trump. Most of them are already successful entrepreneurs or up-and-coming corporate executives. As consulting psychologist, Siegel’s job is to interview scores of potential contestants who are picked from thousands of wannabes who submit their résumés to participate in the show. She helps determine who makes the final cut. Those who ultimately get the opportunity to be hired or fired by Trump are, as Siegel portrays them, extroverted poster children for the power of positive thinking. They are the kind of people who readily bounce back from setbacks. Nevertheless, another part of Siegel’s job is to counsel some of the contestants after they are fired. The title of the book derives from the way contestants were fired from the show before Trump came up with his now-famous - or infamous - "you’re fired" tagline. Trump directed contestants either to the elevator that went up to the executive suite or the one that took them down to the street. Siegel reprises in layman’s terms most of the current developments in positive psychology, which she says "addresses the positive emotions and qualities that propel us forward and add richness to our living." Therapists, she says, concerned themselves by and large for many decades with relieving the suffering of people who had mental illness. Self-help books, she says, mainly issued advice on easing the mentally ill and their families. In contrast, "Suite Success" offers guidance for transforming psychological and circumstantial problems into benefits and for developing or enhancing those personal qualities that spell success. Even people who don’t care much for reality TV - or Trump, for that matter - might find reading Siegel’s reality TV-spiced spin on the efficacy of optimism a positive experience. ______________________________________________________ Note from the Webdude::: ahem - the title for this article is wrong, never ever did Donald Trump say "You're Fired" to Kwame Jackson. Tuesday, April 4. 2006New Sunday Event - NIRVANAYOU are invited to a Sunday Night Grand Opening Event "NIRVANA" hosted by NIRVANA magazine, Kwame Jackson, Peter Paul, and Carlos Narcisse... see the flash invite http://dsmj.net/nirvana April 9th at Guesthouse in New York City - RSVP at NIRVANASUNDAYS@YAHOO.COM Friday, March 10. 2006Finding The Right HomeWhen Aisha Thomas, first runner up in the BLACK ENTERPRISE Own Your First Home Contest, went house hunting she wasn’t just looking for a place to live, but for an investment. Her goal: live in the home for five to seven years and then possibly keep it as rental property. Tips for choosing a home that will also be an investment 7. Decode Zip Codes. Conduct a zip code search on the Internet to find out more information about the neighborhood. Try Yahoo! Real Estate at: http://realestate.yahoo.com/re/neighborhood/main.html Wednesday, January 11. 2006January 2006Firstly - Happy 2006 to everyone, we hope this will be a great year for you. I was lucky enough to be in town with my cameras for the SKIN DEEP launch party at Bruno's, a KMR Communications bash crafted by the beautiful Katherine Rothman, with a bevvy of beautiful people everywhere.
http://new.kwamejackson.com/gallery/Appearances for more photos. Monday, October 3. 2005Kwame Jackson Auctioned Off to Benefit Hurricane Victims
October 3, 2005 Calling all Apprentice fans - former contestant Kwame Jackson is going to be placed on the auction block, with the proceeds benefiting victims of Hurricane Katrina. Jackson will take part in the auction/comedy show organized by the New York Chapter of Spelman College's National Alumna Association in conjunction with members of the NAACP. The fundraising event will take place at New York City's Club Blvd on Wednesday, October 5 from 6:30pm-11:30pm and will raise money for Spelman College's Hurricane Katrina Emergency Scholarship Fund and the NAACP's Disaster Relief Fund. “I am honored to be able to participate in this fundraiser to help students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and grateful to be working with Spelman College, one of the premier academic institutions in this country, and the NAACP, the preeminent civil rights organization in the nation,” Jackson said in a statement. Participants at the event will be able to donate to the education of more than 100 Spelman College students impacted by the hurricane in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Money raised will go towards the more than $1.5 million needed to help these displaced students, including 34 whose homes were completely destroyed. Tickets are a $15 donation and non-ticket holders will be asked to make a $20 donation the evening of the event. Club Blvd is located at 199 Bowery at Spring Street. Friday, September 30. 2005Do you Know what it Means .. to Miss new Orleans?
The invitation to this event is at: http://www.dsmj.net/Moonshine/ Presented by The Moonshine Project Join Susan Sarandon, Wyclef Jean, Judd Harris and Kwame Jackson and more at this benefit event in support of the lives of the musicians of New Orleans. Many that lost everything to the hurricane and flood now need your help. ( this is a pretty cool celebrity event, bring a typical NOLA Jazz and/or band instrument to donate if you can) Tuesday, August 9. 2005"Stuff The Bus" with School Supplies with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington D.C. |
en·tre·pre·neur n.
French, from Old French, from entreprendre, to undertake. |
Just Think about it:...
These days there are more self-employed micro-business ventures than ever before. The reasons are many and the diversity of interest is everywhere. I know people forced from what they thought were careers of long-term loyalty to their company that were laid off due to takeover or management change or the malaise of an industry sector... for example if you are an HP employee right now you may be one if the 15,000 that will not have a consistent paycheck by the fall of this year. Life-changing moments. They decided to chuck it all and persue a dream, hang a shingle with a logo on it, and start their own company. But that decision has yet to lead to action.
I also know people who felt the job they were doing was a pointless process in a survival game controlled by others, and they wish to break free from that and direct thier own destiny by design... and Start thier own firm. This story plays out everywhere there are people. Much of it stays in the realm of wishful thinking.
Or:...
Maybe some people have a specific love of an idea or concept, a belief that there is a win-win situation that they can bring to life, with a product or a service or a new concept in technology... What will it take to get that started, to make things happen, to become an entrepreneur?
Get Busy:...
It takes an exceptional presence of mind to break free, build a team and from that ... build a dream.
We have started an area in Kwame's website that explores Entrepreneurship, and to start,
... we have this simple quiz http://kwamejackson.com/Entrepreneurs/
Embedded in the inherent basis of the quiz are several key nuggets of underlying and necessary thinking that deal with the starting-point issues of your basic entrepreneur. Give it a few clicks - have fun, and remember that Windows of Opportunity are all around you.
... When you were in high school, did you think you might, when you are older and wiser ... return someday?
Kwame did... to become part of their "Wall of Fame".
They asked him a lot of questions, the result is a document full of little nuggets you may enjoy...
CONGRATULATIONS on being selected for induction into the East Mecklenburg “Wall of Fame”!! In order to prepare for this occasion, we need your help.
We would like to gather information about you. Please fill out this questionnaire to the best of your ability.
1. What year did you graduate?
I graduated in 1992.
2. List any extracurricular activities you were involved in during high school.
Student Congress, NAACP, JV Football, Debate Club, Prom Attendant, Renaissance, Class Board, Class Officer, President of Youth Involvement Council – Charlotte NCCJ, Camp Anytown Camp attendee and Advisor, Worked at McDonald’s at 5600 E. Independence throughout HS eventually promoted to Crew Trainer, Inroads Charlotte, Leaders of Tomorrow, Duke Power Partners Program,
3. List any honors or awards you received during high school.
Senior Superlative – voted Best Sense of Humor by entire School graduating class of 474, Published OP/Ed piece in Charlotte Observer on “Happy Meal toy give away rejection of Black Barbie @ McDonald’s expose piece” while I was an employee and in HS.
What is your favorite high school memory?I remember my Advanced Chemistry teacher Larry McAfee pulling my best friend John Webb and me aside at the end of our graduation ceremony, putting his arm around us, and telling us that we had unlimited potential and that we could be anything we wanted.
That was one of the most sincere and encouraging moments of my entire HS career. Because Mr. MacAfee was sincere, respected, and really believed in us both.
I remember almost oversleeping for the graduation ceremony because I had the time wrong by an hour and they had already pulled my diploma from the announcement list in order to avoid calling the names of folks who weren’t present at the preliminary roll call. They had to retrieve my diploma and reinsert it in the list as I ran to join my class.
I remember winning the “Best Sense of Humor” award my senior year and thinking…wow! They really do think I’m funny!! After all, the whole class had to vote on the thing via Scantron ballots, it was legit!
I remember finally getting my 200 Club t-shirt from Coach Dulan after reaching the 200lbs weight mark in weight training…I was skinny, but I felt swole!
I remember the pep rallies and big games surrounding homecoming in football and basketball.
I remember great teachers like Coach Coltrane in AP History, Jackie Fishman in AP English, Ms. Phillips in French 2-5, Coach Larry McAfee in Adv. Chemistry. All these teachers taught me to question, to value intellectual curiosity, to dream, to push, and to believe in myself!
I remember always being able to rely on my McClintock crew that I had spent 3 years with before we came to East Meck. Folks like East Meck SBP, Phiderika Foust, Alex Bragg, etc.
I remember not being cool or confident enough to try and talk to any of the attractive letter girls or cheerleaders!
I remember when I first started driving my 1987 white Nissan Sentra to school! So Fresh and So Clean…I thought I was the man!
I remember wanting an East Meck Letter jacket so badly!
I remember the food sucked, but I would always drink lot’s of chocolate milks at lunch.
5. What college did you attend and what was your major?
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – BS in Business Administration 1996
I have been on a pretty standard career path checking boxes up until the last year. I went to UNC after East Meck, I did 4 summers interning as the first Procter & Gamble Inroads intern in Charlotte while in college and then accepted a full-time offer to work in their Sales and Marketing group upon graduating from UNC with a Business Administration degree in 1996.
After working for Procter for 1 year I applied to Law Schools and was eventually accepted to Duke Universities JD/MBA program. I chose to shoot for the stars and was also accepted to Harvard Business School where I went on to complete my MBA in 2000.
I worked on several dot-com startups during my days at Harvard and then accepted a job with Goldman Sachs on Wall St. upon graduation. I started in Goldman Sachs’ dot-com group and then moved on to their Private Wealth Management group where I built business managing wealthy client portfolios for 3+ years.
I arrived at Wall St. just as the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, and went on to experience the 3 worst years in the equity market since the great depression. Given this disappointing economic period, I began to look at other options and along came the opportunity to take a chance to build my own brand and showcase my professional skills on a nationally televised program called the Apprentice.
I viewed this opportunity as a unique way to utilize celebrity as a form of business capital and an unprecedented platform to launch my entrepreneurial endeavors.
After the show, I turned down hundreds of job offers to start my own company, Legacy Holdings LLC with 2 long time professional colleagues and fraternity brothers from UNC. www.legacyholdingsllc.com
Legacy Holdings is specifically designed to leave a lasting legacy of entrepreneurship that we can all be proud of as 3 young men who took the opportunity to leverage their education and experience to bet on themselves.
Legacy Holdings LLC is primarily a real estate development firm and we have already begun our first project, a $3.8 Billion mixed use, live, work, play community called “Rosewood” in Prince George’s County MD, about 10 miles from the White House.
We also are in the beginning stages of launching a lodging focused real estate Private Equity fund.
Moreover, I am a national/international lecturer, speaking out on topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, risk taking, corporate success, education, etc. I have been on the professional lecture circuit for about a year and a half and have completed close to 100 engagements at Universities, Fortune 500 Companies, and Civic institutions across the country and around the world.
I have always been an active member of my community, from Charlotte, to UNC, to Harvard, and now in NYC.
I am involved with TEAK fellowship, The Posse Foundation, NY Public Schools, FBLA, Operation Smile, Inroads, DNC, etc. to push forward the value of education, mentoring, and leveling the playing field to ensure opportunity for all.
List any community/extracurricular activities that you are involved in now.
www.kwamejackson.com for more
Mentor for disadvantaged youth in TEAK Fellowship, Mentor for college prep program in Posse Foundation, Principal For a Day at Harlem PS 129 in NYC, Operation Smile volunteer, National Inroads spokesperson/lecturer, DNC Boston Convention speaker to NC Delegates, Harlem Dowling (oldest African-American orphanage in America) fundraiser and awardee, Freddie Mac Hoops for the Homeless volunteer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Speaker, etc., LIFE Foundation Life Insurance Awareness Month National Spokesperson Sept. 2004, United Negro College Fund JP Morgan Keynote Speaker (largest single gift to UNCF from JP Morgan), Boys & Girls Club Keynote Speaker Indianapolis IN and Milwaukee WS.
8. List any honors or awards that you received after graduating from high school.\
Kenan-Flagler Business School Leadership Excellence Award,
UNC Dean’s List,
President of UNC Black Business Student Alliance,
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Middle Eastern Province Business Excellence Award,
Harvard Business School John F. Lebor Entrepreneur Fellowship recipient, NASD Series 7, 66, 3 Holder,
Key to the city from Indianapolis IN, Trenton NJ, and Columbia SC.
Kwame Jackson Day proclamation by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and Charlotte City Council on 1/21/05.
Kentucky Colonel award given by Governor of Kentucky Ernie Fletcher, Winston Salem State University Distinguished leadership award,
Harlem Dowling Outstanding Achievement Award,
US Department of Commerce Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency Entrepreneurship Award, National Black MBA Outstanding Service and Commitment Award,
Inroads Central New Jersey Frank C. Carr Community Service Award,
Inroads National Alumni Keynote Speaker Award for the Northeast Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Queens Alumni Salute to Achievers Award, Howard University School of Business - Business Achievement Award, AHBAI “The Proud Lady” Keynote Speaker Award,
People Magazine 50 Most Beautiful People 2004,
People Magazine 50 Hottest Bachelors 2004,
Florida Marlins First Pitch Pitcher
10. List a quote that you live by that has helped you along the way and could be beneficial for someone else. (Example: Life is a taxi, and you are the driver).
Get busy living or get busy dying – Shawshank Redemption
We have our entire lives to be ordinary and only a few moments to be extraordinary – Me!
11. List any other information you would like us to know.
I’m so proud of my time at East Mecklenburg and I’m most humbled by this award! I always wanted to be in that glass case in front of the school, but I knew my jump shot wasn’t going to get me there :>
For more information on me please direct students, award showcase, or published materials to www.kwamejackson.com which is constantly updated.
Thank you!
It looks like quite a few people have found this little unheralded and essentially hidden blog... so hello out to you all, and as a reward for that, here is news ahead of the news...
Kwame will be at the Indy 500, he probably will do a celebrity lap too, should be fun. If you get your photo taken with Kwame and want it on our site, then let me know ( allow comments is turned on - your email will be hidden ) This Blog is where they will be.
RE: Donny Deutsch tv appearance with Ereka and Omarosa... we got dozens on dozens of emails in on that, a new one comes in about every 15 minutes it seems... - i couldnt post them all, just know that we got them and Kwame does see them. Nobody said anything in Omarosa's defense, kind of sad, i expected at least one or two of her fans to show up and say something, anything, in support for her.
of course The BIG IDEA with Donny Deutsch on CNBC is, ... well, Big.
Kwame is on Weds Night, i got a heads-up call from Kwame, then a call afterward from Erik saying it had a lot of Ereka and the big "O" having at it.. again...
An edit is now in the Video section of Kwame's site
http://kwamejackson.com/videos/
Kwame patiently waits for several minutes of the two women having at it between transitions in this edit... cut short on the true length of the catfight part of this show.
Kwame's comment on forgiving them for not being substantive was lost a bit in the mix, and totally on point.
Thanks out to Donny for being real about it all the whole time, ( made a "Big Idea" fan out of me anyhow ) ... the presence of a Lie Detector testing setup, On-Set no less, speaks volumes about what everyone thinks of this situation.