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Monday, February 9, 2009 | 5:20pm
Black History Entrepreneur Spotlight: Farrah Gray
Self made millionaire by the age of 15
As you get older and you begin to notice your heroes and role models are younger, it can be a scary proposition. Evidence that time has slipped you by. Not so much the case with America’s brightest young black entrepreneur, Farrah Gray.
Now only 24 years old, Gray has accomplished more than small groups of people do in their entire lifetime combined. A self-made millionaire before his 15th birthday, Gray became and internationally known and respected entrepreneur and business leader who addresses more than half a million people per year on leadership, personal development, diversity, strategic planning, creativity, business development and financial management.
The author of best selling book, “Reallionare” and “Get Real Get Rich” Gray also now publishes Prominent, an entertainment and empowerment magazine.
The young brother’s accomplishments are endless. He has served as an inspiration to me as I am sure he has been to fellow Chicago native Zack and and many others. Here’s a breif timeline to let you know how serious this cat is. Farrah Gray, breaking barriers and making black history.
Age 6
Farrah Gray sold body lotion for $1.50 from door to door
Age 7
he carried a business card that read “21st Century CEO”
Age 8
in Chicago, Farrah started UNEEC (Urban Neighborhood Economic Enterprise Club)
Age 9
At 9, almost 10, Farrah co-hosted radio show “Backstage Live” in Las Vegas reaching 12 million listeners every Saturday night
Age 12
Farrah had a lucrative nationwide speaking career commanding $5 – $10 thousand per appearance
Age 13
Farrah started Farr-Out Foods, a specialty foods company headquartered in New York, targeting young people
Age 14
Farrah officially became a millionaire by hitting sales of $1.5 million for Farr-Out Foods
Farrah started New Early Entrepreneur Wonders (NE2W) Student Venture Fund
Age 15
Farrah negotiated selling of Farr-Out Foods for one million plus.
Farrah founded the Farrah Gray Foundation.
Farrah was sent a special invitation to consult and oversee an entrepreneurial institute for The Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce
Farrah was elected by the United Way of Southern Nevada to sit on the Board of Directors for a three-year term as the youngest director ever to sit on any United Way board nationwide
Farrah had the distinct honor of serving as the youngest Board of Advisor for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
Age 16
Farrah acquired INNERCITY Magazine from Inner City Broadcasting Corporation
Age 17
Farrah financed a comedy show on the Las Vegas Strip, which gave him the distinct honor of being the second African-American after Red Foxx to own a show production on the Las Vegas strip
Age 19
Farrah signed his “Reallionaire” book deal with HCI
Farrah Gray became a Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the African-American Soul. Both books were published by Health Communications Incorporated (HCI) publisher of the New York Times and USA Today Best-Seller Chicken Soup for the Soul Series
Age 20
Farrah, as a real estate investor, was elected as youngest member to sit on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. Region 15 (N.A.R.E.B.®), the oldest and largest minority trade association.
FILED IN Business & Marketing, Need to Know
Actually, he’s not. And he grew up in the projects across the street from where I attended elementary school (Beasley). I’m happy for his success but I don’t like how he’s put education on the backburner. I even blasted him in a controversial post last year. It’s not a jealousy thing, it’s a “why do you need a Doctorate and your black ass didn’t stay in school” kind of thing.
Ehhh. I see what you’re saying. I saw that on his website as well and it kind of tweaked me a little.
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I think honorary Doctorates should be reserved for those who have a formal education not just those who make good speeches.
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I don’t think that however takes anything away from his credibility. Its clear at this point his most valuable product is his success and himself. He’s trying to sell that. Why not use his “Doctor” status. (BTW…I read this blog almost a year ago before I knew you.)
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Oh and what’s your fixation with the “The Talented Tenth?”
Damn, how’d you find the blog? That’s kinda scary, Juan. You be lurkin’ on my spot, I see. But The Talented Tenth is so true for Black Men. Maybe your Dominican side makes you feel like a baseball career is a good back up for you. For me, I don’t have shit. If I don’t get a job soon, I’m doomed. A Master’s degree has done nothing but put me deeper in debt and distance me from my relationship with God. Like I’m two steps away from atheism. All I gotta do is trip.
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You don’t have to agree with me, but don’t assume that I like F-Raud Gay just because we are the same age and grew up in the same city. He’s not a real Chi-Town boy to me. He’s a human tax shelter for white businesses.
Wow that’s harsh. Sounds like hate. Learn from him. Then use it to beat him.
It’s not hate. You can’t hate somebody that you don’t know. You can only hate the benefits that they receive from society. Plus, he’s more of an exception than the rule. Other brothers out here ain’t makin’ it. So, why celebrate the one who is one of the few to make it? There’s nothing to learn from him because by definition, learning is a change in behavior. I want his money, but just not his outlook on life. So, I respect your man-crush on Farrah, but please don’t try to bring me into it.
Not everyone who’s been successful stayed in school. There are a number of successful people who are brilliant naturally. They have big ideas and work very hard and make it. Although education is very important, so are great ideas and get up and go attitudes.
“21st Century CEO” Wow, that’s a testimony. If you speak it into existence, it shall exist.
impressed, i salute you
While Farrah success is definitely something to give GOD the praise for , sadly like Oprah , it doesnt do anything for the millions of other aspiring black entrepreneurs because each one success came by someone GOD put in their path to help guide them to a place that they had not originally plan to be ! If there is a definitive route to success and if this formula can be bottled it would be far more advantageous to the next generation than to parade the success of a handful of individuals who became succesful without a definitive plan that they themselves had methodically orchestrated and executed !