The Donell Edwards Story
Speaker, Spokesperson, TV Show Host - “The MultiCultural Zone”, Publisher, Entrepreneur
Being a successful business owner was always a goal of Donell Edwards, but for most of his life that seemed to be only an elusive dream.
Donell grew up in rural Arkansas, the grandson of a farm worker and housekeeper, who instilled in him the work ethic and life values that still strongly influence him today.
Donell confesses that he is not sure if it was a subconscious inferiority complex, or just an insatiable desire to be the best, that has driven him to never give up, and to never be content with his accomplishments.
Donell and his grandparents wanted him to have the best education available, so he moved from his rural Arkansas upbringing to the state capitol in Little Rock, where he graduated from recently integrated Central High School. While at Central he was inducted into the National Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
It was also during his high school years that Donell was introduced to the world of radio broadcasting. His stepfather helped him get a job cleaning the local radio station after school. Donell quickly made friends with some of the DJs and began to learn about the business and how to operate the equipment. He took his examination and got his 3rd Class Radio Operators license (which was required at the time).
He began working on the air on weekends while still in high school, and later became the Music Director and then Program Director of the station.
While working at the station at the age of 16, he developed an interest in writing song lyrics. This resulted in Donell organizing a vocal group that he managed, produced, and promoted. At the urging of his uncle, Donell formed his own record company, SuperStar Productions and recorded and released his first record.
While still in his early twenties, Donell advanced into radio advertising sales, in addition to his announcing duties. It was then that he developed a voracious interest in having his own marketing and public relations company someday.
After becoming frustrated at what he perceived were unreasonable limitations for personal and financial growth for a Black man in the radio industry at the time, Donell received the opportunity of a lifetime. The year was 1981, and Donell was offered an entry level position with computer manufacturing giant IBM Corporation.
Within a few months, Donell had advanced to where the action was in the local branch office, as an Accounts Administrator providing support to the branch marketing force and the branch's customers. Donell would later be promoted to Asset Operations Manager and also served as Business Analyst for the branch during his eleven year career with the company before being downsized. He also earned the prestigious “IBM Means Service” award, the highest award presented by IBM to administrative employees, on three separate occasions. It was here that the foundation for his management and coaching skills was developed.
After being downsized at IBM and going through bankruptcy and foreclosure on his home, Donell again looked to starting his own business. With a strong background in public speaking and great interest in becoming a motivational speaker, Donell attended world renowned motivational speaker, Les Brown’s, “Speaking For A Living” seminar in Washington D.C. Greatly inspired by what he had learned, upon his return home, Donell began laying the groundwork for his own speaking and consulting business. Donell Edwards Enterprises was officially launched on April 1, 1997.
Although Donell had overcome many obstacles and accomplished much in his life, he always felt that his mission in life would not be fulfilled until he earned a college degree. So Donell enrolled at Philander Smith College in 1998, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B. A. degree in Business Administration in May 2002, while working full-time and continuing to operate his business.
Today, Donell is proud to share his knowledge and experience with others through his work as a motivational speaker and consultant.