Watson is one of the most sought after speakers in America and was named one of the 50 best speakers in America by network guru George Fraser in his best selling and critically acclaimed book Success Runs In Our Race.
(Dennis Rahiim Watson shown with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete).
New York Motivational Speaker, Dennis Rahiim Watson, recently returned to New York after a week-long stay for the 7th Leon H. Sullivan Summit that focused on African Economic Empowerment.
Its theme, “Africa a Continent of Opportunities: Building Partnerships for Success”, was hosted by President Olusegun Obasango, in Abuja, Nigeria. The Summit drew more than 1,800 delegates from over 40 countries world wide, including 15 African heads-of-state. Among the speakers were Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
During the week-long Summit of events, Watson, motivated and inspired over 2,000 African students and youth leaders at the Changemakers Leadership Summit with the theme: Winning Strategies for Nigerian Youths (The Keys to Leadership Empowerment and Success). As a result of his electrifying and passionate address to Nigeria’s youth, Watson, gained worldwide exposure and acclaim with interviews on CNN Africa, BBC World Service, The Voice of Nigeria Radio, and was seen on Nigerian Independent Television by millions in Nigeria and throughout the continent by satellite television.
Additionally, Watson was featured in two major Nigerian newspapers: “This Day Newspaper”, and “The Abuja Inquirer” and was applauded for his upbeat message by many who listened to and heard his message on radio and television. Watson used his media appearances to praise and honor Dr. Leon Sullivan for his contributions to the development of the African Continent and especially his success in freeing South Africa with his global Sullivan Principles that led to the liberation of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid.Â
Watson also stated that the late Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan was his mentor, father, teacher and friend since 1987. Rev. Dr. Sullivan originally invited him to speak at his Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, (OIC) Youthc onferences. In both newspaper articles, Watson spoke of his Brooklyn, Harlem and Caribbean roots and the African-centered values that he learned from his mother, father, grandparents, aunts and uncles which have been passed down through generations out of our shared experiences of slavery.Â
Since 1991, Watson has served as a member of the U.S. Delegation to Summits held in Cote d’ Ivoire, Gabon, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Abuja, Nigeria 2003 making him one of few delegates to have participated in all seven summits. He is the President and CEO of the National Black Youth Leadership Council and the Chairman of the National Task Force on Black Male Violence/Gangs and Achievement.Â
During his motivational remarks to the Changemakers Leadership Summit, Watson challenged Nigeria’s youth to constantly give God the praise, the thanks and the glory for all the blessings he has bestowed on the continent.Â
Additionally, he encouraged youth leaders to become giants in technology, manufacturing, business, engineering, medicine, transportation, construction and many other areas by focusing on self-improvement, sacrifice and a non-stop commitment to excellence, education, leadership and achievement, no matter what the obstacles because Mr. Watson proclaims, “we are a generation of doers and overcomers in a tradition of Dr. King, Malcolm X, Paul Robeson, Dr. Ben Carson, Rosa Parks, Oprah Winfrey, and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Elijah Muhammad, Marcus Garvey, Nelson Mandela, Bishop Tutu, and Rev. Jesse Jackson.Â
Watson is one of the most sought after speakers in America and was named one of the 50 best speakers in America by network guru George Fraser in his best selling and critically acclaimed book Success Runs In Our Race. Watson has lectured and conducted workshops at over 300 colleges and universities throughout the USA, having received over 400 awards including five White House Citations for his work with Black, and Hispanic and White Youth.
Beginning September 2006, Watson will embark on a Black on Black Love Motivational Tour of the United States, challenging Black males and gangs to “stop the violence”, put down their guns and stop the senseless killings of each other over trivial and petty arguments and beefs that cause pain and heartbreak to mothers and fathers in communities throughout the USA.
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