Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samuel Oppong. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Samuel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story that illustrates an important or relevant lesson you learned in school
One of the most lessons I learned in college before graduating is that sometimes our purpose finds us instead of searching for our purpose. One week, my friend, a teacher at Washington State University, pulled me aside and asked me about my plans for life after college. I told her that if everything goes according to my goal, I plan to be an athletic director or return to the entertainment industry and do acting or sport broadcasting. One year later, I turned down 5 to 10 job offers to work as an Assistant Athletic Director and decided to pursue sports broadcasting and acting together. Back to the story, the teacher asked me to write a book about a friend of hers who wanted to meet me and wanted my autograph. I told her I would do it and meet her friend at the hospital battling an illness. Her friend lived a life with no regrets, and his life purpose is one I can’t wait to share in the book. Sometimes we take life for granted and don’t show kindness. With, With kindness, It’s being selfless, caring, compassionate, and unconditionally kind. Like love, it takes practice to understand and feel it. We can share love with others through kind acts such as a smile, a nice word, an unexpected deed, or a planned surprise. Kindness and purpose are connected because it all starts with you and helps you be your toughest critic.
Samuel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Samuel Oppong is an Actor, Producer, Sport Broadcaster, CEO, Speaker, Coach, Trainer, Investor, and Philanthropist. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management and Leadership Studies at Washington State University and his Master’s in Sport Leadership at Concordia University in Chicago. He is a 2x Forbes Under 30 Finalist (2013, 2020) and Inc 30 Under 30 Nominee as an Investor. Before becoming an actor, he spent seven years working in various sports organizations such as USA Basketball, Washington State Athletics, National Hockey League, San Francisco 49ers, National Basketball Association, and National Football League. When he was born, he was separated from his parents due to having malaria and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He later recovered and moved to New York City, New York, when he was two years old. When he was three, he moved back to Accra, Ghana, and lived with his family due to getting sick again. He lived in the Bronx, New York when he was four. He discovered his talents in acting and singing by getting dragged to a musical theater in Albany, New York. He later started learning to play the piano and performed his first acting gig in Lion King, playing Simba as a five-year-old. As he completed that performance, he chose that as his career focus. His first commercial was with Target back in 2000. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and a Master’s from Concordia University Chicago. His story started with being born in Tema, Ghana, to Samuel Oppong Sr. and Irene Oppong. Lastly, his grandmother passed away three days before he was born. He is the oldest of three siblings.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
To keep my stories short, I never told anyone the day I discovered my passion for investing because I wanted to live a very everyday life. The day I found out I would not pursue acting by my parents’ decision was heartbroken. I can also talk about my story of battling cancer or illness, but these stories are connected and are meant to inspire others. Knowing your story is a powerful truth. There’s tremendous power in knowing and being able to express your story, who you are, what you do, why you do it, and why you love it. When we meet, Tell your story. Extend your narrative. Surround yourself with people who can relate to it and teach you.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A wise man once said, “Your story can take you to the next level in your career.” This quote connects me because it helps me practice gratitude and compassionate leadership to customers, employees, and co-workers growing up. A perfect story to keep my story is the years I watched some millionaires and wealthy people treat people poorly. Watching them treat people who are not very well helped me work hard to help people as much as possible. Compassionate leadership is a skill we can learn. We can Leverage our gifts to push people forward, Treat people with dignity, and, my favorite, “Make yourself accessible.” As we develop and become successful, keeping the humble voice in a room full of experts is important. It’s easier for others to connect with those who carry a humble spirit than those who don’t!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.samueloppong.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuel___oppong/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItJustSam
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-o-9081b885/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Samuel__Oppong
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOgzk3-LzFkGbDtSBEtZlDg
- Other: https://angel.co/p/samuel23