Dinner With Champions

Keynote Speaker

World renown entrepreneur and activist, John Hope Bryant, delivered the keynote address at L.E.A.D.’s 2nd Annual Dinner With Champions Celebration. Mr. Bryant is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, whose mission is to expand economic opportunity in underserved communities through economic education and empowerment.

He is also the author of Love Leadership: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World, an Oprah’s Angel Network award recipient, a TIME Magazine 50 Leaders for the Future (94′), he’s been an advisor to the last three U.S. presidents, and an innovator in the business of empowerment. He’s a young man who has achieved so much and helped so many.

He shared an empowering message with the audience, one that was especially fitting for the youth in the audience. Mr. Bryant told the 2011-2012 Ambassadors and other youth in the audience that racism isn’t as prevalent these days as classism and that for the United States to be prepared to fight for jobs in this global economy, we have to have workers (soldiers) equipped to fight for jobs. He also shared that some of the world’s most brilliant people had rough starts and encouraged our Ambassadors to always strive for excellence even when they don’t see the fruits of their labor immediately.

The Ambassadors truly represent a ripe harvest in the Atlanta community. 100% of Ambassadors graduate from high school, 100% enroll in college and 89% receive college baseball scholarship opportunities. Thank you Mr. Bryant for your nurturing words to our young men- they will not be forgotten!