IMG_1061

The world waits and watches, and listens, for reports on the state of Nelson Mandela's health.  The man known to his friends and family as Madiba, has outlived even most of his detractors and one-time jailers. He has lived a life that has literally changed our world, and this is merely the period marked by the time he has been out of prison.

That said, I try to acknowledge his leadership contribution, his life work, and his personal sacrifice as part of a daily ritual.  I do it by wearing a simple bracelet, everywhere I go.  Inscribed on it on the numbers46664.  This was Mandela's prison identification number at Robben Island in South Africa

I remember Mr. Mandela everyday, in every meeting, on every trip.  If not for his sacrifice, I would not be able to live the full quality of my own life. I owe him this recognition, and time.  We all do.

Thank you Madiba.  Thank you.

John Hope Bryant is an entrepreneur, author, advisor, and one of the nation's most recognized empowerment leader.  He is the founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, The Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass), the only African-American bestselling business author in America, and is chairman of the Subcommittee for the Under-Served and Community Empowerment for the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, for President Barack Obama.  Mr. Bryant is the co-founder of the Gallup-HOPE Index, the only national research poll on youth financial dignity and youth economic energy in the U.S.

Pin It on Pinterest