Famous African American Went
From Rag to Riches 
The amazing story of John Johnson 

Famous Quotes by Mr. Johnson Failure is a word I don't accept. John Johnson To succeed, one must be creative and persistent John Johnson All have disappointments, all have times when it isn't worthwhile. John Johnson

The life story of John Johnson is truly an amazing journey of rags to riches that will inspire you to greatness. If you haven't yet, take the time to learn about his phenomenal rise from poverty to prosperity.

Numerous famous African Amercans came from the extreme bottom of the barrel to be all that they were destined to be. Johnson was one such man. In his best selling book, “Succeeding Against the Odds,” Johnson says, “I tell you, I know—I’ve been there and back.

In 1942, my mother and I were recent graduates of the relief rolls. And I decided that I was never going down that road again-never.

I was willing to go anywhere. I was willing to do anything, or almost anything, to get some of the good things of life.

At that time, our country was in racial turmoil. No one had any faith in John H. Johnson except his mother. Blacks couldn’t see how he could succeed and told him so. And most whites didn’t want him to succeed. If you want to go from rags to riches, take note; I have some bad news and some good news for you.

First the bad news; you may have no one to believe in you or in your vision. Before it’s over, you may be: discouraged by professional grade critics, laughed at, taunted, mocked and ridiculed. Furthermore, some people may be literally crossing their fingers hoping for you to fail. News flash:

You are sentenced to succeed and destined to achieve!

Therefore, never give up, keep pushing and always bring your “A” game! If successful and famous African Americans listened to their dream debilitating coaches, we would have no gas masks, street sweepers, no disposable syringes, no blood banks and no fire escape ladders. Your success is not contingent upon your antagonists. Like Johnson, you must develop the mental toughness to use their negativity as fuel to inspire you to greatness.

The good news is; if you don’t allow it, their opinion or negative perceptions will never alter your destiny. Quincy Jones put it best when he said:

"Not one drop of my self worth depends on your acceptance...."

Quincy Jones

Johnson decided that he was going to reach his goals regardless of his cynical nay Sayers. Instead of being derailed by his skeptics, he used their negativity to fuel to keep his vision burning. Says Johnson, “There’s an advantage in every disadvantage, and a gift in every problem. That’s called true positive thinking.

Famous African American Shows You How to  
Go From Rag to Riches in the School of Success

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