‘Pursuit of Happyness’ Author Visits AFSCME

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscme.org/publications/13393.cfm

New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur Chris Gardner visited AFSCME International headquarters recently to talk about his life story, a struggle against adversity that inspired his autobiographical book “The Pursuit of Happyness” as well as the Academy Award-nominated movie of the same name starring Will Smith. The activity was part of the AFSCME International Union’s celebration of Black History Month.

Overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Gardner established himself as a successful stockbroker while being homeless for a year and at the same time trying to provide for his infant son.

“I was homeless, but not hopeless,” Gardner told a packed crowd after being introduced by AFSCME Sec.-Treas. William Lucy. The author gave his audience a harrowing account of his time living on the streets of San Francisco, standing in soup lines and trying to make ends meet.


Best-selling author and entrepreneur Chris Gardner speaks in the conference room at AFSCME headquarters.
PHOTO CREDIT: Gonzalo Baeza

“I decided that I wanted to be world-class at something. I just had to find the right venue and that venue was Wall Street,” he said. “That is what you’ve got to do. Find something that you love and be bold enough to do it.”

Gardner is presently the CEO of Christopher Gardner International Holdings, conducting both business and investment ventures as well as numerous philanthropic enterprises.



BTW I am a