489. He Took "No" to Mean "Maybe Next Time"

Paul Lamar Hunter

Paul had a good job at Chrysler, then he heard the plant was closing. At age 40, he wondered where he would go next. His union rep gave him some great news that totally changed the outlook for him and his entire extended family.

Paul Lamar Hunter beat the odds against poor kids being less likely to obtain a college education. He is the 19th child out of 21 natural children, who in 2012 became the first in his family to graduate from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. His new book, “No Love, No Charity: The Success of the 19th Child,” is an autobiographical account describing how he made it, despite overwhelming odds. Paul has been profiled in many national newspapers and magazines, including Ebony, Austin Fit, the Chicago Defender, the National Examiner and others.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

“My first real job was working at a Detention Center as a correctional officer. I loved that job. I saw so many young men and women being abused mentally, spiritually and physically. They were hurting, and they needed some guidance. I realized I could offer guidance and caring to them. The juvenile corrections system in America needs to change. The system needs to be so that we can positively impact young people’s lives. We can Inspire them to take their game—academically, socially, mentally—to the next level. If not, we are going to fail them.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

“One of the biggest turning points in my life was when I turned 40 years old. I was working for an excellent company, the Chrysler Engine Plant. When I learned that plant was to be closed in 2010, I asked myself what I was going to do. Speaking with some of the union reps, I discovered that, when a plant totally closes, the company must pay for educational training, including college. So, at the age of 40, I decided to go back to college. I was the first member of my extended family to attend and complete college.”

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“Many people are overworked and underpaid. Many of them should not be in their current position because they were born for greater things. Once they have this transformation in their life, once they realize they were born to be a job creator, a CEO, something more, they will be able to change their own lives and impact other people’s lives.”