Aaron Lee, Jane Bolin, Andre Norman
Entrepreneurs’ Organization South Florida (EO SOFLO) hosted mentor, author and entrepreneur Andre Norman to share his inspirational message of overcoming any adversity to an audience of EO members and South Florida business leaders facing today’s unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic and related economic challenges.
Norman recounted his story of growing up illiterate and with an abusive father, joining a street gang and then being sentenced to 100 years in prison for gang violence and other serious crimes. He was a feared prison gang leader and sent into two years of solitary confinement, where he had an “epiphany” to improve his life and help others. He taught himself to read, set Harvard as a goal, and pledged to become an inspiration to others.
He was released from prison after serving 14 years, and now works as a community mentor, corporate leadership consultant and motivational speaker to groups ranging from at-risk youths to C-suite executives around the world. In 2015, he was awarded a research fellowship by the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard University Law School. This year he published “Ambassador of Hope: Turning Poverty and Prison Into A Purposeful Life.”
"Andre's capacity to touch the heart is remarkable. He teaches us how to live from love and redemption to see the greatness in all people,” said Jane Bolin, vice mayor of Oakland Park, founding partner of PeytonBolin law firm and EO SOFLO member. “I would encourage anyone facing the impossible to seek out his guidance. He sees what is possible in every situation, especially dire challenges like this year’s Covid-19 crisis.”
Bolin was one of 40 EO SOFLO business and community leaders at Norman’s presentation who are helping South Florida overcome the Covid-19 pandemic’s dramatic economic effects.
EO SOFLO is one of the world’s largest EO chapters, with more than 200 members who run businesses with 10,000 employees and more than $2 billion in annual revenue in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
“Andre has become known to many as ‘The Ambassador Of Hope,’ and that’s the persona our organization strives to be for the South Florida business and entrepreneur community,” said EO SOFLO president and Sudsies founder Jason Loeb. “Circumstances, like the challenges of 2020, don’t define you, your commitments do. With focus and drive, anything can be accomplished.”
EO SOFLO fosters entrepreneurship and economic development through peer-to-peer learning and experience forums for members; sponsors student and start-up entrepreneurship competitions; partners with area colleges and business incubators; and leads other economic development efforts throughout the region.
For details on EO SOFLO, visit www.eosoflo.com.
For more information about Andre Norman, go to www.andrenorman.com.
