Stedman Graham: 'You can't let people define you' | Events

Best-selling Author Stedman Graham knows too well how people can put you in a box and try to define you.

"I'm sure y'all define me by my relationship," Graham told the small group gathered inside the Magnolia Performing Arts Pavilion at Baton Rouge Community College Thursday night. "I'm sure you said 'Oprah's man is coming to speak."

The crowd laughed as many people do know Graham as Oprah Winfrey's longtime boyfriend. But Graham cautioned  them.  

"You can't let people define you. You have to define yourself."

Graham was the keynote speaker at the Black History Month celebration. He inspired the group to follow their dreams.

"What I teach all over the world is freedom," the author of 10 books said. " I teach people how to find their identity. You find your identity by getting engaged."

He says there are nine steps to becoming engaged and successsful. They include identifying your talents, skills, and strengths; having a vision; developing a plan, working hard, changing your attitude, building a strong team, and learning how to deal with changes in a positive way.

"The world doesn't care about you being a victim,' Graham said.  "Only the strong survive."

He urged everyone to commit to their vision and work on themselves every day.

"We all have 24 hours. The question is what will you do with your time to make it relevant."

A reception was held afterwards with BRCC staff, students, and guests. This was Graham's second visit to the college in recent years.

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