Christopher Gardner

Gardner giving a motivational speech (https://alchetron.com/Chris-Gardner-559748-W ())

"A hero is someone who, in spite of weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway" (Reeve). Heroes overcome challenges and emerge greater on the other side. They are not perfect, but they do not give up in the face of adversity. A hero is someone who makes a positive impact on others. Heroes are not quitters; they encourage themselves and others to persevere through hardships and stay positive. Heroes are not ideal beings, but they are caring, generous, and humble. A hero is a kind being who gets up every time struggles bring them down.

Christopher Gardner is an African American businessman whose story of personal triumph and incredible fathership has inspired many. While growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gardner had a rough childhood. From an early age, Gardner knew the value of determination and hard work (Gardner). After being in the Navy as a young man, he returned to San Francisco to become a medical assistant in 1974, and then later a medical supply salesman. There, he had his first son, Chris Jr., with his partner Jackie Medina in 1981. As times got tough, Gardner decided to pursue a career as a stockbroker at Dean Witter Reynolds to better support his family ( "Chris Gardner." Contemporary ). Through lots of patience and persistence, Gardner landed a spot in the trainee program. However, the income from the trainee program was not enough for Gardner to afford an apartment in San Francisco. It got even more burdensome when Medina left. Gardner and his son lived on the streets for over a year while Gardner passionately worked for a position at Dean Witter Reynolds. When finally succeeding, Chris Gardner was not only able to provide a home for his son, but eventually so much more when he went on to found Gardner Rich & Co in 1987. Gardner had a daughter a few years after Chris Jr. was born.  He now travels giving motivational speeches, as well as time and money to multiple non-profit organizations and noble causes. Gardner is an everyday man that seems to possess some very heroic qualities.  A hero must be determined to achieve their goals. They never give up despite the challenges they may face. A hero should have a caring heart, should put other's needs before their own, and have a passion for making other people happy. A hero should be generous, and share what they have with those who may be less fortunate. They go out of their way to give to others. Christopher Gardner exemplifies the idea of being a hero through his determination to achieve his goals despite challenges, and has a caring, generous heart.

Christopher Gardner has been a determined worker since he was young and always persevered through struggle. When Gardner ended up living on the streets, achieving his goals were challenging, but he reflects on how he still persevered. Gardner said, "But that wasn't going to mar my belief that I'd make it. Besides, I knew enough about challenge. I knew how to work hard, and in fact, over the next years, challenges helped me to reshape my dreams, to reach further, and to pursue goals with an increased sense of urgency" (Gardner 2). Even when the going got rough, Gardner explains he never gave up. He was determined to achieve his dreams, and his struggle helped him to become a better man (Gardner). Gardner faced lots of financial and personal difficulties on the road to success. "Even amid these intensely arduous circumstances, Gardner was committed to learning his new trade. His determination paid off; he passed his licensing exam on the first try, and he was the only one in his training program offered a permanent position at Dean Witter. Even with his increase in salary, it took several months before he could save enough money to afford an apartment" ("Chris Gardner." Contemporary). Gardner was living off of next to nothing, while raising his young son. Giving up and pursuing an easier job, instead of starting from the bottom in a new career could have been easier. But Gardner had come too far to let it all go to waste. He was determined to succeed and do the best he knew he could for him and his son. The night before his interview for a position at Dean Witter Reynolds, Gardner was in jail for parking tickets. "It wasn't just that I felt I had to make that interview happen, but that I had to make it happen now. I could not reschedule. I could not postpone. Those were not options. I had been pursuing this man at Dean Witter for close to a year, and it was now or never" (Coffin). Gardner never gave up just because the moment was not right, or that it was all too hard. He was determined to achieve what he worked for, and not to give up or try again another time. Gardner knew if he wanted something to happen he had to work for it, and take it. Through his determination while trying to be successful, despite challenges he faced each and every day, Gardner is a hero.

Christopher Gardner with his son, Chris Jr. (http://www.chrisgardnermedia.com/chris-gardner-bio ())

Gardner has always cared about others, especially his children, and has worked hard to make sure they are happy. Gardner has believed and acted upon this idea;"My head is in my business, but my heart is always with my children" (Gardner 144). Gardner worked tirelessly for a successful career, but he never let anything come before his children. The most important focus in his life are his kids, so he gives them what they need before he fulfilled his own needs. Gardner was asked the interview question,"Did seeing the hotshots do so well make you hungrier?" (Verner).  He responds with,"Baby, put yourself in a position of doing a job you love, but at night you've got nowhere to go with a baby tied on your back. Would that help your focus and passion? It was all on the line. And that's a whole different level of commitment" (Verner). Chris talks about how his motivation to pursue a career in being a stockbroker was because he was creating a better life for his son. When Gardner says "It was all on the line" (Verner), he meant the happiness of his son was on the line. That was all that mattered, even if that meant staying positive and energetic after a long, exhausting day just for his son's sake. Gardner's caring nature is heroic because he put his son's needs before his own, and has his children's best interest at heart.

Gardner at the Glide Memorial Church (http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Chris- ())

Chris has achieved extreme financial success and gives lots of his time and money to help those who were once in a position that he was in. Gardner is an avid philanthropist ("Chris Gardner." Contemporary ).  For example, "He has also donated his money and his time to a variety of causes, especially those serving homeless and at-risk urban populations. One recipient of his philanthropic endeavors is Glide Memorial Church. A quarter century after his time of need, he has repaid his debt by sponsoring the Cecil Williams Glide Community House, a nine-story complex in the Tenderloin. Gardner also donates clothes and shoes to the church and comes periodically to volunteer. He offers career counseling and job placement assistance to needy communities in Chicago through the Cara Program"("Chris Gardner." Contemporary ). Gardner has given money, but also time and energy to physically be a part of helping other people, which makes him an excellent volunteer and philanthropist. One does not have to give up their hard earned money, or their valuable time, but a hero willingly and generously gives to help the less fortunate. Gardner is a generous and hardworking philanthropist who has contributed abundantly to the bettering of other's lives. Not only has Gardner donated time and money to the Glide Memorial Church, but he also has a passion for helping children. "...Gardner has demonstrated his concern for the wellbeing of children through his work with and on behalf of organizations such as the National Fatherhood Initiative, the National Education Association Foundation and the International Rescue Committee. Gardner is still committed to Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco; where he and his son received assistance in the early 1980's" ("Biography."). Gardner is a successful man who travels giving motivational speeches, yet still takes out time to help noble causes he is passionate about. His generosity has earned him recognition by multiple organizations, a well deserved thank you for his extraordinary support ("Chris Gardner." Contemporary ). Gardner's success has brought him great fortune, and he generously shares this with others.  

Gardner is a heroic man, determined to achieve his dreams, while being caring and generous to others. Facing many hardships while working to change his career, he persevered. He kept his son his number one priority (Gardner), and now is a philanthropist and motivational speaker. Chris Gardner inspires others through his story of troubles and triumph. He faced incredible challenges, but proves to the world if you set your mind to do something, you can do it. Gardner is also an incredibly caring father who has encouraged and loved his children. After becoming a rich successful businessman, he also gives money and time to help better the lives of others. Christopher Reeve said that a hero is not perfect, but still is determined to fight their way past obstacles. Gardner is an inspiration to us all. He reminds us anyone can be a hero. You can accomplish anything, even if it is hard.  Gardner never gave up, and was determined to achieve his goals, no matter what it took. He inspires others to seize every opportunity and to not give up when the going gets rough.  He is an amazingly successful  businessman, an even greater father, and a compassionate giver. So take Gardner's word to heart. Things may not be perfect, " But you know what? It's your turn. You're up"(Coffin).

Works Cited

"Biography." Christopher Gardner Biography. Chris Gardner Media, 2017. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

"Chris Gardner." Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 65, Gale, 2008. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1606003900/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=34113836. Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.

"Christopher Reeve Quotes." BrainyQuote, Xplore, 2017, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/christophe471515.html. Accessed 12 May 2017.

Coffin, Bill. "From hardship to happyness: an interview with Christopher Gardner." Risk Management, Apr. 2008, p. 66+. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A180517021/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=ee7b9f5d. Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.

Gardner, Chris. The Pursuit of Happyness. New York, Amistad, 2007.

Verner, Amy. "CHRISTOPHER GARDNER." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada], 14 Apr. 2007, p. F7. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A162016544/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=83d45032. Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.