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News & Photos
Following the Example of Dr. King
When Ayinde Stewart ’92 was a McDonogh student, whether he realized it or not, he was naturally doing what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached. While Stewart inherited a sense of fairness and equality from his parents, the ideals of Dr. King also proved influential. During an Upper School assembly in honor of Dr. King on Thursday, January 16, Stewart shared the values which have guided his life. History teacher Daryl Burch introduced Stewart, saying, “We remember the dream through one of our own.”
Stewart began his discussion with the students by outlining his history, sharing that he began at McDonogh as a freshman, was a campus leader who served in the SGA, played varsity basketball for four years and also ran track. He alluded to hurdles he faced not only on the track team, but also in his off-campus world. After McDonogh, Stewart went on to the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in economics and political science and minored in African Studies. His career began in the insurance industry where he worked with high profile clients. Eventually, he started his own consulting firm, Clear Resolution, which specializes in providing support to the intelligence community and other members of the Department of Defense.
Then, Stewart shared three examples of Dr. King’s life and teachings, encouraging the students to adopt them in their own lives. The first was courage. Be courageous, not complacent, he said, especially when faced with life decisions. “What can you do to emulate the courage he [Dr. King] exhibited by fighting for others when they were on their own and ill-equipped to fight for themselves?" Stewart asked. “You get more from giving than you do from taking,” he reminded the audience.
Next, he discussed the idea of maturation through struggle. He shared that Dr. King’s leadership and the struggle for civil rights and equality spurred similar movements around the world, inspiring others including Nelson Mandella. “Struggle brings enlightenment,” Stewart explained. He went on to implore the students to embrace the struggles in their own lives, for the sake of growth; and confessed that his own personal struggle with a fear of failure drove him to become an entrepreneur.”
Finally, he challenged the students to pursue endeavors as an entrepreneur might. “Life is not truly lived on the safe train running on the risk free path,” Stewart said. “You all have decisions to make. McDonogh is helping you craft the outline that will one day guide your life. Be sure that outline guides you away from that risk free path. Because the rewards are much greater when you are not a spectator in life.”
After his talk, Stewart welcomed discussion with the audience. The students peppered him with thoughtful questions about his work with the NSA and sought his advice about college coursework.
When asked how he overcame his self-described fear of failure Stewart said, “For me, each hurdle found some level of success, so it became almost addictive. Never feeling too comfortable is what entrepreneurship is all about. You can succeed with great reward, with the risks that you take.”
When Ayinde Stewart ’92 was a McDonogh student, whether he realized it or not, he was naturally doing what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached. While Stewart inherited a sense of fairness and equality from his parents, the ideals of Dr. King also proved influential. During an Upper School assembly in honor of Dr. King on Thursday, January 16, Stewart shared the values which have guided his life. History teacher Daryl Burch introduced Stewart, saying, “We remember the dream through one of our own.”
Stewart began his discussion with the students by outlining his history, sharing that he began at McDonogh as a freshman, was a campus leader who served in the SGA, played varsity basketball for four years and also ran track. He alluded to hurdles he faced not only on the track team, but also in his off-campus world. After McDonogh, Stewart went on to the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in economics and political science and minored in African Studies. His career began in the insurance industry where he worked with high profile clients. Eventually, he started his own consulting firm, Clear Resolution, which specializes in providing support to the intelligence community and other members of the Department of Defense.
Then, Stewart shared three examples of Dr. King’s life and teachings, encouraging the students to adopt them in their own lives. The first was courage. Be courageous, not complacent, he said, especially when faced with life decisions. “What can you do to emulate the courage he [Dr. King] exhibited by fighting for others when they were on their own and ill-equipped to fight for themselves?" Stewart asked. “You get more from giving than you do from taking,” he reminded the audience.
Next, he discussed the idea of maturation through struggle. He shared that Dr. King’s leadership and the struggle for civil rights and equality spurred similar movements around the world, inspiring others including Nelson Mandella. “Struggle brings enlightenment,” Stewart explained. He went on to implore the students to embrace the struggles in their own lives, for the sake of growth; and confessed that his own personal struggle with a fear of failure drove him to become an entrepreneur.”
Finally, he challenged the students to pursue endeavors as an entrepreneur might. “Life is not truly lived on the safe train running on the risk free path,” Stewart said. “You all have decisions to make. McDonogh is helping you craft the outline that will one day guide your life. Be sure that outline guides you away from that risk free path. Because the rewards are much greater when you are not a spectator in life.”
After his talk, Stewart welcomed discussion with the audience. The students peppered him with thoughtful questions about his work with the NSA and sought his advice about college coursework.
When asked how he overcame his self-described fear of failure Stewart said, “For me, each hurdle found some level of success, so it became almost addictive. Never feeling too comfortable is what entrepreneurship is all about. You can succeed with great reward, with the risks that you take.”