Amir Windom talks to students about flexing purpose, not power. Photo by Kelley Canaday.
Students gathered in the University Center Grand Room on Thursday, April 10, to hear Grammy winner and A&R Music Executive of the Year, Amir Windom, deliver a powerful message.
“Be more than successful; be significant….Because success is tangible, but significance creates a legacy.”
He was the keynote speaker for Black Awareness Week at WCU.
Windom spoke to students about his personal experiences in college, the music industry and life. He thoroughly entertained the audience with his humorous character impressions and anecdotes. He advised students not to change the trajectory of their lives because they want to “kick it” for a few years and encouraged them to “go for GREAT, not settle for mediocrity.”
Windom won his first Grammy by the age of 20, but he wanted more than success. He decided to go back to school in Florida while continuing to work full-time in the music industry. He spent Monday to Wednesday taking 21 credits in Tallahassee, Fl. and then flew to Los Angeles, New York or Miami from Thursday to Sunday for work. It required hard work and commitment.
When things got hard, he questioned why he was doing all of this and almost gave up. Then he reminded himself to not settle for mediocrity because no success is achieved without struggle. He stayed and graduated and has created a legacy of significance for others to follow.
At the end Windom invited the audience to ask questions and spend time with him individually.
Criminal Justice major, Sidney Gary, met Windom once before in D.C. and decided to come and hear him speak again.
“I learned to always fight to be successful and never quit when things get hard. I will stay on my path like he did and try to make something better of myself and not be mediocre,” Gary said.
Windom speaks with international students at WCU after the event. Pictured left to right: Daniel S. Doante, Amir Windom, Marie Bergner and Gautier Villette. Photo by Kelley Canaday.
Marie Bergner, Gautier Villette and Daniel S. Doante are three international students who attended the event and had an opportunity to speak one-on-one with Windom. They were encouraged by his advice:
“Do not see color. Don’t be afraid to transcend cultures,” Windom said.
Bergner heard about the event through her Social Studies class and thought it was very interesting. She appreciated what Windom shared about being humble and treating people with respect.
Villette heard him earlier in the day during a professional development class and was grateful to be able to spend more time with him at the event. He is looking forward to applying what he learned from Windom.
“I want to try to improve my networking and meet new people from new cultures,” Villette said.
Through attending this event, these students learned more about WCU’s Department of Intercultural Affairs and are looking forward to getting more involved.
If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming events or working with the Department of Intercultural Affairs, contact Takeshia Brown on the third floor of the A.K. Hinds University Center.
Related Links:
Amir Windom: On Music, Life and Success vs. Significance
