Stories

“Stories of Men who have found their gift and walked in it.”

To know what it really means to be a man, Watch this

Michael jordan.

“Some people want it to happen, Some people wish is would happen and others make it happen.”

A basketball player wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey and cap, holding a basketball against a gray brick wall, making a peace sign with his hand.

Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. As a child, he was competitive in both baseball and basketball, though he was initially cut from his high school varsity basketball team as a sophomore—a setback that fueled his legendary work ethic.

He earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina, where he hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship as a freshman. After winning multiple college accolades, Jordan was drafted 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1984.

His NBA success was immediate—winning Rookie of the Year and becoming a scoring champion. By the late 1980s, he was an MVP and one of the league's biggest stars. In the 1990s, he led the Bulls to six NBA championships (1991–1993, 1996–1998), earning five MVP awards and global fame as the greatest basketball player of all time.

Off the court, his partnership with Nike created the iconic Air Jordan brand, revolutionizing athlete endorsements. Jordan's early career set the foundation for his legacy in sports and business.

nelson mandela.

“It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure”

Black and white portrait of a man in a suit with a patterned tie and a flower pin, looking at the camera.
An older man with gray hair and a serious expression, dressed in a suit with a white shirt and pink tie, standing indoors.

Nelson Mandela: Early Life & Path to Success

Early Life (1918–1943): Born into Struggle

  • Birth: Born Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18, 1918, in the small village of Mvezo, South Africa, into the Thembu royal family.

  • Education: Attended a missionary school, where he was given the name "Nelson." Later studied law at the University of Fort Hare and University of Witwatersrand (one of few Black students).

Early Activism (1940s–1950s): The Fight Against Apartheid

  • Joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943, co-founding its Youth League to push for racial equality.

  • Became a lawyer in 1952, opening South Africa’s first Black law firm with Oliver Tambo, defending victims of apartheid laws.

  • Led peaceful protests and the Defiance Campaign against racist policies, earning government surveillance.

Imprisonment & Resilience (1962–1990): The Prisoner Who Inspired the World

  • Arrested in 1962 and sentenced to life in prison in 1964 for opposing apartheid (served 27 years, mostly on Robben Island).

  • Refused offers of early release in exchange for abandoning his principles.

  • Became a global symbol of resistance, with protests demanding his freedom.

Triumph & Legacy (1990–2013): From Prisoner to President

  • Released in 1990 as apartheid crumbled, negotiated a peaceful transition to democracy.

  • Won the Nobel Peace Prize (1993) for preventing a racial civil war.

  • Elected South Africa’s first Black president (1994–1999), promoting reconciliation (Truth & Reconciliation Commission) and dismantling apartheid.

  • Retired as a global elder statesman, advocating for AIDS awareness and human rights until his death (December 5, 2013)

Bill gates.

“It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure”

An older man with gray hair and glasses, wearing a navy blue cable-knit sweater over a light blue shirt, standing outdoors in front of modern glass buildings.

Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. A gifted student, he developed an early interest in computers and programming, writing his first software program at age 13. He attended Harvard University but dropped out in 1975 to co-found Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen.

Gates' big breakthrough came when Microsoft secured a deal to provide the operating system (MS-DOS) for IBM's first personal computer in 1981. This led to the development of Windows, which became the dominant PC operating system worldwide. By the 1990s, Gates was one of the richest people in the world, turning Microsoft into a tech giant.

Beyond business, he later shifted focus to philanthropy, founding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to address global health, education, and poverty. His early vision for personal computing helped shape the modern digital age.

Denzel washington.

“It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure”

A man in a tuxedo holding an Oscar award at an awards ceremony.

Born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, Denzel Washington rose from humble beginnings to become one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. After studying journalism at Fordham University, he discovered his passion for acting and trained at the American Conservatory Theater.

Key Success Highlights:

  • Acclaimed Actor: Won 2 Oscars (Glory, Training Day), with iconic roles in Malcolm X, Remember the Titans, and The Equalizer.

  • Versatility: Mastered drama, action, and inspirational storytelling.

  • Director & Producer: Expanded his influence behind the camera (Antwone Fisher, Fences).

  • Mentorship & Faith: Advocates for education, youth empowerment, and credits his strong Christian faith as his foundation.

  • Legacy: A living legend who redefined Black excellence in Hollywood with integrity, discipline, and timeless talent.

Washington’s career spans 40+ years, proving that success is built on hard work, principle, and purpose.