Saint Louis University continued the celebration of Black History Month with keynote speaker Ed Gordon on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Gordon is an Emmy-Award winning journalist from Black Entertainment Television and has conducted interviews with a variety of politicians, athletes and celebrities, including Sen. Trent Lott and Oprah Winfrey.
“His message was good for everyone on campus, not just for African-American students,” said Amber Kendrick, secretary for SLU’s Black Student Alliance.
Gordon focused on the theme of success in his speech; he delivered his messages through examples from his own experience, as well as from the stories of the many people he has interviewed in his life. Gordon was received with applause and enthusiasm throughout his explanation of what he considers the seven steps to success.
Gordon believes the first step in success is in believing you can succeed. Although others may not be encouraging, he emphasized how believing in yourself is more important.
The second step focuses on others’ perceptions: “Don’t let others define your success,” Gordon said. “Be the best at whatever you are. Success is different for different people.”
Gordon continued with the third step, saying that it is important not to judger success against another person’s success.
Next, Gordon stressed how success goes beyond merely talking about succeeding: “Be about–don’t talk about,” Gordon said. “The talkers never succeed.”
After completing these steps, the next two steps are to be ready for success and to have patience.
The final step is not to rest upon the success. Gordon emphasized the importance of learning how to handle success and how balance plays a major role in one’s success.
“I felt his seven points were very good lessons for life,” said Kathy Humphrey, vice president for student development. “I thought it was wonderful how he used his own life to talk about how you define yourself and your own limitations.”
A question-and-answer session followed the speech with Gordon commenting on the decisions he has made in the past and the future of his program on BET. Additionally, he spoke about issues within the African-American community and in the world as a whole.
“Individually you have to find what motivates one spiritually,” Gordon said. “Spirituality plays a huge role in my life, and so does the idea that people help make you.”
Future events celebrating Black History Month include: BSA awards banquet on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 4 p.m. in the library; “Poetic Expression” on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in Marguerite Hall; a BSA movie night on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in Kelley Auditorium; and a closing ceremony on Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Anheuser-Busch Auditorium.
