Hill Harper Inspires Audience at ASU With His Energy, Reflections on the Past, Framework for the Future
Story and Photos Submitted by DaVaun Sanders
Actor and author Hill Harper gave a rousing talk to assembled students and members of the community in a packed lecture hall at Arizona State University on Feb. 20. Sponsors for the event included the Canon Leadership Program, the Black and African Coalition, Undergraduate Student Government, and Multicultural Student Serves at ASU.
Harper's session exhorted listeners to examine their lives critically for areas of improvement, and heed their passions while striving for success in their goals and friendships.
“If you get into the habit of doing well and excelling, that excellence will begin to replicate itself,” Harper said.
He shared personal stories throughout his talk, from hoops with Barack Obama while both were studying at Harvard Law, to the lessons he learned on the set of CSI:NY and celebrity Jeopardy.
Harper instantly engaged those present, striding energetically up and down the rows of Murdock 201 to ask questions while standing among the audience. He shared four essential elements for continued success, first insisting that a detailed blueprint of the future is critical for anyone's success.
“Even when you choose to do nothing, that is making an active choice,” Harper said. He noted that while a blueprint requires a high degree of skill, when it comes to life we do not expect that same level of detail. “You must be the active architect of your own life.”
Harper also stressed the importance of affirmations, and positive self talk when searching out life's passions.
“Whatever you dream about, double or triple it,” he encouraged, explaining that most of our aspirations can be tempered by our environment without our even realizing it. “Most of us are used to making something that already exists a little better. People rarely think of something that is brand new.”
A summary of his points include:- Create a detailed blueprint for your life's success.
- Build a foundation strong enough to hold up those goals.
- The framework for life is your choices. It is incumbent upon us to make choices that are in line with our visions and core.
- Create a door for your house to let the right people in and the wrong people out.
“We are all tied together in a garment of mutual destiny,” he quoted from Martin Luther King, Jr. “If I'm doing well, and you're not doing well, then we aren't doing well. We are connected.”
“This room, Murdock Hall, can change the world—but not if we leave it as individuals.”
Harper received a standing ovation at the close of his lecture, and followed with a book signing which stretched a line all the way around the room for autographed copies of MANifest Your Destiny, Letters to a Young Brother and his most recent release, The Conversation: How Black Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships.
Harper's high level of energy continued throughout the day despite a tight schedule. The actor's genuine commitment to young men also shined through, as he made time before his main talk to address a smaller gathering of approximately 30 Black male students at ASU.
“If you are here in this country and you are Black, your parents did a lot more than just survive for you to be here,” he said, admonishing the group to raise the bar.
Harper's candor and honesty with the group proved both refreshing and valuable. He shared about how his early dreams to play Pac-10 football gave way to theater and politics during his undergraduate studies at Brown, as he continuously pursued his passions.
He cautioned against a 'lotto mentality', where people waste energy on shortcuts instead of just putting in the work. He also stressed that large goals will require skill-sets and alliances that one cannot achieve alone.
“No one around you should not have a plan.”
The inspiring presence of this actor and author in the Valley offered a definite burst of energy for the students and members of the community who chose to attend his lecture at ASU. While Black History Month typically offers the community sober reflections about the past, Hill Harper also provided an opportunity—and the tools—to continue actively shaping our future.
To our PhxSoul.com readers—if you missed Harper, check out his books for a serious dose of motivation for your success in 2010! He also invites you to follow him @HillHarper on Twitter.
you made proud from a distance you stand for what you believe in and that only way change will come i wish i could afford buy your book maybe at later day i wish you reach more of our men, they need that up front front tslking we are losing so many , i pray for you because anything possible, you have shown it and our president now if we get other too see, we will have over come. thank you
Posted by: francine claytor | February 23, 2010 at 20:51