Muhammad Abdullah

Muhammad Abdullah, formerly Ronald Arnett Matchett, a graduate of Yale University, during a time when Blacks at Yale were about as plentiful as Blacks in South Dakota and Blacks in the United States Senate, has often been called a modern day Will Rogers or Mark Twain. A varied career which has included being a professor, a religious leader in more than one faith (from Methodist Youth Leader to Iman), a civil rights activist, a lawyer, a professional entertainer, a radio personality, a Salsero, a Tanguero, a Headmaster, an Admissions Officer at Yale and at UCLA, College Academic Advisor and Minority Liaison at Iowa State University, Director of the MBA Program and Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Pfeiffer University, a newspaper columnist, an award winning National Public Radio commentator, a coach, a kung fu teacher, a mediator, a CEO, and a motivational speaker (Commencement Address at the American School of Paris; NFL Carolina Panthers seminar for Rookies and Free Agents).

Muhammad responds: "I've done just about everything but die. I 'm saving that for last." On the tragedy of 9/11: "the real ground zero is the human heart." On racism: "racism is an acquired taste." On education:"the educational system is the reproductive system of our society." On being a parent: "the toughest most important job in the world; the job we praise the most but appreciate the least." On our gifts: " our gifts are not just to us, they are through us for the benefit of ourselves and others." On love: "the nectar of life." Best advice I ever got; from my Dad: "Don't take your dreams to your grave." On resolving life's most important questions and challenges: "sometimes you have to wait and listen for the answer... the religious call this the voice of God, others call it inspiration or insight. What matters more than what you call it is that you heed what you are given." On personal harmony: "Soul is when the outside looks like the inside feels." On award shows especially the Oscars: "A barometer of the cultural conscience of America at a particular moment in time." On ourselves: "We are what we believe we are." On self help books: "the best self help book is the one you write."