opinion
Super Rich: Russell Simmons’ Real Wealth
E
ach year before and after the
annual 4 of July celebra-
tions 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 commu-
nity does attain wealth and pros-
perity it is important to look into
how that outstanding success was
achieved.
Recently on CNN’s State of the
Union with Candy Crowley a spe-
cial 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 entertain-
ment and financial services mogul
Russell Simmons. “Making It in
America” basically concluded that
the American dream is still possi-
ble to fulfill, but it will require
hard work, personal focus, getting
the right information and acting on
it in a timely manner, and stead-
fastness 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
Page 6 The Portland Skanner
E DUCATION
S ERVICES
Benjamin F.
Chavis Jr.
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 intro-
duced as the visionary Chairman
of Globalgrind.com and co-
founder with Rick Ruben of one of
the most successful record compa-
nies in the history of popular cul-
ture and music: Def Jam
Recordings. Def Jam’s list of
artists from the earliest days of
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
When someone from our community
does attain wealth and prosperity it is
important to look into how that
outstanding success was achieved
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,
July 6, 2011
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 philan-
thropic and other nonprofit organ-
izations such as the Rush
Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the
Foundation
for
Ethnic
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 needi-
ness. Being prosperous is not just
‘Happy can make you money, but
money can’t make you happy’
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 best-
selling book by Russell Simmons.
According to Simmons in this
book, there are two paths to
enlightenment which are neces-
sary, if one is to find true fulfill-
ment in life. First, one must strive
to be conscious and remain con-
scious 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
about “having, it is about “giv-
ing.” 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.