Top leaders of the world have the exceptional simple habit of reading. Whether for enjoyment or enrichment, reading stimulates the mind and fuels creativity. Long Beach Leaders are Readers features leaders in our community as they share their recommended reads.
We invited Mr. Everett Glenn to start off our year and be our January 2024 Long Beach Leaders are Readers feature because his distinctive perspective on leadership and his commitment to positive change align perfectly with the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the profound inspiration the day embodies.
Continue reading to learn more about his month’s book recommendation and the leader behind it.
Success Runs in Our Race
by
George C. Fraser
What made you choose Success Runs in Our Race to recommend to the community?
In my opinion, Success Runs in Our Race is a book folk can use to increase their ability to network, get together to get ahead, grow spiritually, and develop the resources leading to greater wealth and relationship success. The book allows us to realize our connectedness to one another and to share, give, and maximize all of our community and business resources.
Were there any stand-out scenes or particular passages from your recommended book that have impacted your life?
“It takes teamwork to make the dream work”
What do you hope other readers get from reading your book recommendation?
More than a guide for personal achievement, Success Runs in our Race is an information-packed bible of networking that also seeks to inspire a social movement and a rebirth of the “Underground Railroad,” in which successful African Americans share the lessons of self-determination and empowerment with those still struggling to scale the ladder of success.
How old were you when you got your first library card?
9
How did your recommended book make you think or feel about a certain topic or issue?
Made me think about what can happen when Black entrepreneurs, professionals and civic leaders come together to effect positive change in our community.
What did you learn from the book or what did it teach you about yourself or others?
That Black people are often our own worst enemy, relying on others who have more evidence of their disdain for us than concern, to help us solve our problems.
Did someone read to you when you were a child?
My mom
Has a book ever changed your life?
Not the book itself, but the decision to take action based on what I read…Success Runs in our Race
Do you prefer paperbacks or e-books?
Paperbacks
What are your favorite genres to read?
Technical/professional development
Where is your favorite place to read?
On my patio
Is there an author you’d like to meet? Can you share their name or work?
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama
What’s the last book you read?
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More With Less (Which, by the way is available at Mark Twain Neighborhood Library)
Why do you think reading is important?
I think reading is important because strong reading skills are fundamental for academic success. Being literate opens doors to educational opportunities, higher learning, and better career prospects, empowering readers to reach their full potential.
Reading also provides an avenue for the reader to see themselves reflected in stories, characters, and experiences, empowering them to pursue their dreams, overcome challenges, and make a difference. Finally, reading also encourages critical thinking and empathy. It allows the reader to understand different perspectives, navigate complexities, and develop empathy for others’ experiences, fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.
Finally, if you wrote a memoir, what would the title be?
The Good Glenn: The Rise, the Fall, the Resurrection
Everett Glenn is the Founder, CEO and Executive Director of Long Beach based nonprofit, BOSS. BOSS™ (Business Of Student Success) instills a mindset within their boys that advances both individual excellence and team mastery. The BOSS values are embedded in all that they do, fostering their boys’ intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being.
Learn more about BOSS on their website: www.bossprograms.org
Part of our Long Beach Leaders are Readers program includes inviting the featured leader to sign the inside of their book recommendation so that future patrons who check the book out will be able to learn about the significance of the book to our local leaders. Keep an eye out for the signed recommendations at your local branch!
Find “Success Runs in Our Race” in the African American Heritage Collection at the Burnett Neighborhood Library!
The LBPLF is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and advocating for the 12 Long Beach public libraries. Donate today!
