Strickland delivers inspiring speech
Bradley Hilovsky
Issue date: 2/15/10 Section: News
Local entrepreneur, Bill Strickland, visited Massey Theater Feb. 2 to speak to the Robert Morris community. Strickland presented a lecture and slideshow of his life story, depicting how his rise from rags to riches has been beneficial to far more people than just him.
The lecture, titled "Make the Impossible Possible," he admitted, was not a written speech, just his autobiography, which should be spoken and not read.
Strickland was met with the largest attendance Massey Theater has ever seen for a lecture, according to Provost David L. Jamison, who introduced the guest speaker.
Strickland's life work has been bringing kids living in poverty from inner city Pittsburgh into an environment where they can feel at home, experiencing a luxurious lifestyle. He has used art to attract his students who were mostly minorities.
"Just because you are born into poverty, born in the inner city, born with parents who don't have money does not mean you can't be treated with dignity," Strickland said.
Strickland is the President of the Bidwell Manchester Craftsman's Guild, located in Pittsburgh. This is an after school arts program with facilities that are second to none. He has realized that people are more motivated to work up to their potential if they are surrounded by quality.
"Environment drives behavior," Strickland said.
He described that most of the children and young adults that attend his center have not been given a chance to be great, not by their friends, their teachers, their parents, or even themselves. The Bidwell Manchester Craftsman's Guild has brought those who were involved in gang related violence and other crimes, off of the streets and into a place where they can let their talents shine.
Despite being in a location known for criminal activity, since its existence, Strickland's facility has yet to experience graffiti, drugs, alcohol, theft, or even a single police call. This is why Strickland is convinced that the issues are not imbedded in these kids. These kids can be helped.
The lecture, titled "Make the Impossible Possible," he admitted, was not a written speech, just his autobiography, which should be spoken and not read.
Strickland was met with the largest attendance Massey Theater has ever seen for a lecture, according to Provost David L. Jamison, who introduced the guest speaker.
Strickland's life work has been bringing kids living in poverty from inner city Pittsburgh into an environment where they can feel at home, experiencing a luxurious lifestyle. He has used art to attract his students who were mostly minorities.
"Just because you are born into poverty, born in the inner city, born with parents who don't have money does not mean you can't be treated with dignity," Strickland said.
Strickland is the President of the Bidwell Manchester Craftsman's Guild, located in Pittsburgh. This is an after school arts program with facilities that are second to none. He has realized that people are more motivated to work up to their potential if they are surrounded by quality.
"Environment drives behavior," Strickland said.
He described that most of the children and young adults that attend his center have not been given a chance to be great, not by their friends, their teachers, their parents, or even themselves. The Bidwell Manchester Craftsman's Guild has brought those who were involved in gang related violence and other crimes, off of the streets and into a place where they can let their talents shine.
Despite being in a location known for criminal activity, since its existence, Strickland's facility has yet to experience graffiti, drugs, alcohol, theft, or even a single police call. This is why Strickland is convinced that the issues are not imbedded in these kids. These kids can be helped.
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