When Kwame Jackson, former star of NBC's "The Apprentice,"addressed Ball State students Thursday night, he talked aboutDonald Trump's boardroom, business classes at Harvard University,and his job at McDonald's.
Last year, NBC chose Jackson out of several hundred thousandapplicants to be one of 16 contestants on a reality show to win aposition as a Trump executive. Jackson did not win, but he lasteduntil the final cut.
"People won't always remember who won or lost," Jackson said,"but they will always remember the people who conducted themselveswith polish and class."
Jackson said he took a risk with his career and quit his job asan investment manager for Fortune 500 company Goldman and Sach's toappear in "The Apprentice."
"Opportunities don't always come in packages you can easilyrecognize," Jackson said. "You have to take calculated risks,otherwise you're going to be prone to mediocracy. The biggestbarrier to success is comfort."
Jackson grew up in North Carolina in a home he callsHuxstable-like.
"My mom taught me self-reliance and initiative," Jackson said."I learned a lot from my mom. She was the most inspirational figurein my life."
When he was 15, Jackson lost his mother to cancer, but he saidhe persevered by thinking positively.
"We all have baggage, tragedies and trials," Jackson said, "butwhen God closes one door, he leaves a window of opportunityopen."
Jackson said he took advantage of an opportunity to speak at theDemocratic National Convention this summer as a John Kerrysupporter.
"I think the good thing about this election is that more peoplevoted, which means more people took a chance on democracy," Jacksonsaid. "I think Bush will do okay; America is resilient."
So is Jackson's career.
"When I was asked to be a part of 'The Apprentice,' my seniormanagement looked at me like I had two heads," Jackson said. "Theytold me my career was over, but this was my pitch. It was my turnto swing and hit it over the fence."
Jackson is now involved in several entrepreneurial endeavors,including a production company, a real estate development nearWashington, D.C., and a men's clothing line.
"I'm living the American dream," Jackson said. "I get to be myown boss."
Jackson said the best advice he could give to students is toalways continue to raise the bar as a leader.
"Leaders are not always out in front," Jackson said. "Leadersare people who do the work when no one else is looking."
He said he learned a lot from his first real job at McDonald's,where he worked for three years during high school.
A few months ago, Jackson said he received an e-mail from aformer McDonald's co-worker, congratulating him on his success andthanking him for always being a wonderful worker.
"I worked at McDonald's 15 years ago," Jackson said. "You neverknow who's watching. You never know who is going to take notice ofyour work ethic."
Jackson told students they'd be surprised how far courage couldtake them.
"I looked Trump in the eye and told him exactly what I thought,"Jackson said. "Have no fear."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
