The last day of March brought 80-degree weather and Matthew Knowles, PhD, to campus. Known for his management and career-building of artists such as Destiny’s Child, Solange and Beyoncé, he held a fireside chat with the student body.
Hosted by senior journalism major Rasiah Worthy in Howard University’s WHUT building, students and staff gathered to hear Knowles speak about building a personal legacy.
“Dream big, it takes the same amount of energy for something small,” said Knowles.
Knowles grew up in a small rural town called Gaston, Alabama. He said that is where he witnessed firsthand the power of entrepreneurship.
“My dad made $30 a week as a truck driver. However, he convinced those white folks he worked with to let him use their truck all the time,” Knowles said. “From there, he would work on old houses, selling the materials and then buy $20 used cars. Off of that investment, he would make $4-500,” said Knowles.
From an early age, Knowles said learned from his parents that you can take nothing and turn it into something if you’re creative enough.
“His advice on thinking outside the box definitely resonated with me,” said Jada McIntosh, a freshman public relations major from the Bronx, New York.
An interest in entrepreneurship and curiosity about Knowles’ advice led McIntosh to attend the chat.
“My biggest takeaway from the event was to continue being my authentic self and turn that into a brand or something marketable,” McIntosh said.
Miles Coleman, a freshman advertising major from Emporia, Virginia, also reflected on the event.
“As someone who wants to work in the advertising industry, I hope to do what he has done for artists,” Coleman said.
A portion of the conversation also covered navigating your brand and legacy during this time of heightened social media usage.
“You have to have a brand identity,” said Knowles. “You also have to know your marketplace and who your customers are.”
“There’s a reason why some people buy Nike, Ovo, Puma. It’s because they built those brand identities,” said Knowles.
Another student, first-year sophomore Syniah Gooden, a media, television and film Production major from Orlando, Florida, saw evergreen value in her attendance.
“I do happen to be involved with the entertainment industry, but even if I weren’t, I think this is still great advice,” said Gooden.
As the conversation concluded, the room filled with the sound of clapping and joy.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson-Philmore