Stedman Graham Talks Leadership and Success with Students at McDowell High School

For students at McDowell High School, the north gym became their classroom for the day, and their teacher was Stedman Graham.

Best known as an entrepreneur, best-selling author, motivational speaker, and Oprah Winfrey's longtime boyfriend, Graham schooled students with a lesson in leadership and life.

"The value that you give yourself is the value that the world gives you," said Graham. "The world sees you, as you see yourself. So you have to keep changing your perspective about who you are and what's possible for you."

Friday's visit is part of Graham's tour to promote his latest book. For Treymont Crockett, a junior at McDowell, Graham's message is a reminder that if you remain true to yourself and stay positive, anything is possible.
   
"Everyone is already unique in their own ways, but you're gonna want to like be you, rather than be you with some add-ons," Crockett said of what he learned from Graham's speech. "You want to just be you entirely, be everything you want to be, because other people shouldn't be able to change you."

The value of having an education, experiences, passions, playing sports and having hobbies were wrapped into Graham's hour-long speech. But there's one thing Graham says will stick with these students the most.
    
"One of the main messages was love is everything," said Meghan Macmurtrie, a junior at McDowell. "You can love so many things it's endless and there's so many possibilities and opportunities. I really liked it."

"There's only two choices in life; love or hate, good or bad, will or won't," Graham explained. "So we asked them to choose love. So if you love yourself and care about yourself and work about yourself, that comes back."

Graham will be signing copies of his latest book at Books-A-Million inside the Millcreek Mall Saturday from 12 to 2 p.m.