Reallionaire

By Robin Caldwell

Author: Farrah Gray

"How does a kid who grew up on the south side of Chicago end up shaking hands with the president of the United States? How does a young man who once lived in a car with his family get invited to spend Christmas at the White House? How does this same kid mingle with affluent CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and make it onto Black Enterprise’s cover before the age of sixteen?" (Farrah Gray, excerpt, Reallionaire)

Twenty-year-old Farrah Gray has lived an extraordinary life and experienced more success than the average person twice his age. Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out (Health Communications, Inc.) chronicles his journey from public assistance to millionaire at the ripe old age of fourteen to his current profession as a businessman and philanthropist.

What exactly is a reallionaire? Gray defines it as: "Someone who pursues his or her passion with authenticity, sincerity and honesty." In short, good guys and girls can finish last and on top.

Indeed Farrah Gray keeps it real and discusses growing up in a single-parent headed household on welfare and wearing hand-me-downs with great candor. Early on, he learned not to be ashamed of those circumstances and to use them as a catalyst to forward his dreams and ambitions. Gray, also, used early exposures to people and things beyond the tenements of Chicago to sharpen a God-given business acumen.

This "21st Century CEO" as he called himself, displayed an unusual entrepreneurial spirit—uncharacteristic for a six-year old—when he sold bottles of body lotion to neighbors and earned $9 in less than forty-five minutes. And, before he was old enough to drive a car, Gray closed on a multi-million dollar deal.

Still, Gray managed to balance normal childhood activities such as watching cartoons and play with an almost insatiable thirst for knowledge. The love, discipline, and wisdom of his mother, grandmother, and older siblings lent a security and maturity that motivated him to "go on or die." (Harriet Tubman)

Reallionaire is a "rags to riches" story replete with "Real Points" or advice Gray has gleaned over the years and brief self-discovery exercises at the end of each chapter. Gray, the apt pupil, is also the formidable teacher.

There are many scriptural references in Reallionaire; however, Gray’s spiritual commitment is not clear. He expresses an interest in Buddhism and other eastern philosophies, but often quotes his grandmother who taught him wisdom straight from the Bible. Therefore, this is not a "Christian" tome.

Reallionaire should be required reading for urban school kids and the adults who mentor them. This book proves the validity of the African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child." Without question, its author is the by-product of a well-informed and nurturing village.

To learn more about Farrah Gray, owner and publisher of "Inner City Magazine," visit www.farrahgrayfoundation.com. Reallionaire can be purchased online or at any major bookstore in the nation.