Hezekiah Griggs

Hezekiah Griggs, III

Sha'Quila Mathews talks with Hezekiah Griggs, III; media mogul, motivational speaker and philanthropist. This 20 year old multi-millionaire is defying the odds that were stacked against him.

I was immediately struck by Hezekiah Griggs' confidence and how, in spite of his very humble beginnings, he decided early on that rather than be part of the problem, he would be part of the solution to helping the youth of today impact, restore and promote change. In this age of videos and Hip-Hop culture dictating the measure of success for many of today's youth, Hezekiah Griggs, III is not your average young man. He owns and oversees over 100 companies and has been shaping and molding his entreprenurial skills since the tender age of 9. At 11 years old, he went on to sell his first company, already having a strong sense of self and what direction he wanted go in, despite growing up in poverty and homelessness in New Jersey. However, his challengers were not a hinderance, but a motivator to be the CEO, role model, and philanthropist he is today.

I had the chance to sit down and talk with Mr. Griggs to ask him a few question and to allow him the opportunity to offer a few encouraging words to today's youth. When asked why he is so focused on the youth, Mr.Griggs said that he believes that if you give youth a platform and a place to express how they feel and what they think about their community, then things can change for the better. He espouses having a serious discussion and dialogue with youth to involve them in helping turn their community around. Mr. Griggs is also a big proponent of sowing back into the community, and believes that giving back is key to success. As an example of his own sowing, Mr. Griggs started HG3 University, a free 8-week course designed to help other up-and-coming entrepreneurs. This course helps in developing the essential tools needed to start a business.

In October 2009, Hezekiah Griggs, III announced the development and new session of the YBDP National Forum. The objective of this youth-run forum is to get youth from across the country to invoke change in their community through various initiatives, including AIDS awareness campaigns, raising money for special causes, working with teens on gang violence and drug abuse, and any other issues challenging youth. When asked why giving back was so important to him, Mr. Griggs said that it is the true measure of success; how you impact others and give back from everything that you've received. This concept may be completely foreign to today's "bling bling" generation, but Mr. Griggs believes that if you do not give back, you become a selfish person.

Mr. Griggs is certaintly not your average 20 year-old, but with his "just do it" state of mind, and his major philanthropic agenda, he his definitely intentional about stirring up and helping produce a generation that cares about its community and gives back to others. Mr. Griggs will be going on a 50-city tour speaking to youth and sharing what he has learned through his experiences, and the many awards and accolades that he has received.