In 1990, David Steward set out on a journey that would one day make him one of the most successful businessmen in the country.
On a shoestring budget and with four employees, he started World Wide Technology, Inc. Today, it is the largest black-owned business in the U.S., with revenues totaling more than $2.5 billion.
If passion and faith helped Steward turn his company into the nation’s top black-owned firm, it might also help turn Harris-Stowe State University’s graduating seniors into the business leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
“If you’re an entrepreneur and you don’t scratch that itch, it will bother the heck out of you,” Steward told students last Thursday at a reception for seniors graduating from the Busch School of Business.
He was on hand to offer students encouragement and help prepare them for the real world.
One of those students inspired by Steward’s life story was 25-year-old Sam Bradford.
Growing up in North St. Louis, Bradford said he debated whether a degree would advance his career. At the time, he was already following his passion, making music for both national and local artists. As he matured, his outlook about college changed and he began to see the big picture.
“I knew that the things I did in high school, I wouldn’t be able to do them forever,” Bradford said. “When I got older, I knew college would give me more options for today and tomorrow.”
In 2005, he earned an associate degree from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, and next month will receive his bachelor’s in business administration from HSSU.
“I have friends, family and people who I grew up around who didn’t get to this point,” Bradford said. “Now, I can be an inspiration to them that if you set your mind to it, you can do it – even if you don’t have the resources or money.”
The stressful balance between college and work often seemed overwhelming to many students. Tiarra Williams, a senior from HSSU graduating in business administration, said she worked from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Federal Records Center and then went to class from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Her faith and family, she said, is what helped her to persevere.
“What kept me motivated was God and my family,” Williams said. “When I felt like I couldn’t go on, I said, ‘God, help me.’”
It is that deep, abiding respect for family cohesion, work ethic and spirituality that builds strength, said Steward, who shared his own story of misfortune.
Before starting World Wide Technology, Steward suffered several failed ventures and many doubted his ability to succeed. He said when he went into business solely to make money, nothing went right. When he focused on service, he started to become financially stable. He warned students about the importance of giving back all that was given to them.
“Honor those who came before you with the way that you live your life,” Steward said. “There were many who made sacrifices for you to go to college.”
After graduation, Williams said she plans to get her master’s degree in marketing or management and will focus on raising her family. She said what she’ll miss most about HSSU are her professors.
“They motivate you and let you know that African Americans can make it out there in the world, but it starts with education,” Williams said. “You can be held down, but you can’t be held back.”
Looking back on his college years, Bradford said he wished he had taken advantage of the extracurricular activities offered at HSSU. After graduation, he said he plans to focus on expanding his music business.
In September, he partnered with Anthony Caldwell to start Annex Studios, a recording studio where the duo produces and manages music for upcoming R&B, rap and gospel artists. Bradford said his long-term goal is to bring more entertainment venues to St. Louis to compete with those in larger cities. He said he might go back to school to get his master’s degree.
“I learned not to put off tomorrow what I can accomplish for today,” Bradford said. “Like my mother always says, ‘Strike while the iron is hot.’”
Graduation ceremonies for Harris Stowe State University will be held on Friday, May 9 at Powell Symphony Hall. Doors open at 10 a.m. Ceremonies start at 11 a.m.
