An example of a Responsible Leader...and managing his legacy

Leon Sullivan is a special person. He was a responsible leader.

A brief Biography: He was a Black American Man who stood up for what he believed in, a man who fought for what he believed in and a man who had principles. He played a massive role in ending Apartheid in South Africa (where racism was an official policy, and black people were not as important as white people).

He was just 1 man, but he made a huge difference; and he believed that business was 1 of the ways to make a difference in the World. He believed that everyone has equal rights, that everyone has the right to work, and that everyone should be treated with respect.

He organised a boycott in Philadelphia of companies that refused to hire black workers. They started hiring black workers. He organised training for those who had no skills. They got skilled and found jobs. He told American businesses that they should treat South Africans the same as American. The businesses agreed. He told them to stop doing business in South Africa, unless the government changed its policies. The businesses stopped doing business and the Government changed its policy. Black people in South Africa were equal with white people for the first time in over a century.

To learn more about this man, whose 'Sullivan Principles' are now officially proposed and supported by the UN, go to www.revleonsullivan.org.

Here you will find out what his principles are, what he said and what he did. In addition, you can learn more about some of the tools he believes are important for individuals to leave a life of principles:

-The Power of Positive Thought, -The Importance of Involvement, -The Importance of Self-Help and Self-Respect, -The Role of Mentors, -Change Through Non-Violent Action, -Discrimination and Diversity

This website seems to be a fantastic example of how to use the internet and how to create useful and interesting educational materials with an excellent purpose. What is better than leading a
responsible life? Leaving a responsible legacy as well.

I am impressed by those who set up the site -for being able to use Leon Sullivan's life to inspire more people. I hope it helps generate more responsible leaders. Indeed I hope to discover more people and more sites of a similar nature!