Little cites this as his favorite quote, which means he surely knows the ethos of hard work. Other key tenets that he believes are integral to black men’s success: “intellectual development and the empowerment of our communities. I have always believed that God has created all men equally, but these are intangible core values [that black men have that] are based on integrity, self-respect, and a sense of community,” he says. As an energetic young man, full of life, and a lover of reading and training his mental faculties, Little serves as proof positive.
As a current student at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, Little is studying for his executive M.B.A. While enrolled, he has learned some significant life hacks that he urges others to take advantage of when it comes to collaboration, whether in a big group or alongside a peer. “One of my recent professors, David Logan, who teaches a course on Leadership, Management and Strategy, co-authored a book called,Tribal Leadership,” he says. “In short, people are motivated by different things, but as a leader, the motivating factors can vary greatly depending on the subset of people you are working with. By fostering a healthy collaborative environment through listening to your group dynamics before offering a solution, a person can achieve greater results quickly.” Little also says that Nelson Mandela is an ideal historical figure to look up to when rooted in education or trying to learn one’s craft.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” he says. “Because I work in the world of finance, I have a unique perspective. I tend to equate education with information. For me, it is the great equalizer that can bridge so many gaps. Remain driven by information and you become limitless in what you can achieve.” Through learning his own strengths and weaknesses profoundly, Little was able to stave off any high level of doubt while courting his future successes. In fact, we asked him what about his greatest career setback, and his answer may surprise you. “With a doubt that was rooted in my sense of belonging in this industry, I failed a security license exam (Series 7) at my first attempts. I had the support of my firm, friends, and mentors, but I needed to develop a true understanding of the laws and regulations that governed my industry before trying to answer questions on an exam.” Having grown stronger from the hitch in his plans, Little figured out his own personal learning style, which allowed him to succeed in part due to the failures he experienced in the past.
Bilal S. Little, a man with athletic prowess and financial intellectualism, utilized lessons learned from Waterbury, Connecticut, to become the answer to the quid aere perennius question. Understanding that a “paradigm shift” is happening when it comes to black men, as a BE Modern Man, Little wants the reader to know that there’s more to us than what meets the eye. “We have lawyers, doctors, professors, and businessmen and women that are model citizens,” he says. “We have more than just sports and entertainment representatives.” Believing that as more examples of these “outstanding figures” are highlighted by exemplary measures, Little urges us to consider that certain tangibles (size of wallet or social standings) will fall to the wayside in favor of community, belonging, and self-confidence.
We at Black Enterprise salute you, Bilal S. Little, for contributing positive images of African and African American culture to the masses. Your mission of showcasing black excellence through education and refined execution frames us in an enthusiastic light, and is meant to be celebrated and appreciated!
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