SuccessQuest by drakua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

SuccessQuest!

The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Revised & Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Other Books & DVDs By Chike Akua Words of Power 2, Volume 2: Centering Ourselves for Success (2020) Honoring Our Ancestral Obligations: 7 Steps to Black Student Success (2017) Education for Transformation: The Keys to Releasing the Genius of African American Students (2012) ParentPower: The Keys to Your Child’s Academic & Social Success (2012) Sexceptional: The Ultimate & Essential Teen Guide to Abstinence (2012) Reading Revolution: Reconnecting the Roots (with Tavares Stephens) (2006) Words of Power: Ancient Insights & Modern Messages for Parents, Teachers, and Students (2005) A Kwanzaa Awakening: Lessons for the Community (4th Edition) (2004) The African Origins of Our Faith (2004) A Treasure Within: Stories of Remembrance & Rediscovery (2001)

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Special Thanks To my wife of over 20 years, Willette, my partner in love, life and liberation,for unwavering love and support To my sons, Jahbari & Amari, for inspiring me to strive to be a great father To my parents, Joseph and Faye Fenwick for the example of loving, supportive and visionary parents with strong values To my sister, Leslie Fenwick, a light and guide in times of trial, tribulation, triumph and victory To Dr. Jackie Mayfield, Yusuf Muhammad, Craig Johnson and the Compro-Tax Family for support in the early years To Baba Ali & Mama Helen Salahuddin, for guidance and continuous opportunities to share my gifts and purpose To my friend and brother, Jahi Chikwendu Muhammad, for continuous support and editorial assistance To Delxino & Debbie Wilson de Briano, for continuing the work of the Honorable Marcus Garvey through the Black Business Network To my Wellness Team: Dr. Stephen Tates, Gradmaster Baba Taji Nanji, Miriam Cummings and Dr. Shawna Woodruff To The Knowledge Keepers: George Fraser, Tony Browder, Nana Kwa David Whittaker & Bob Lott, for vision, strength and unity To Mama Marie West & Mama Rosalyn Martin, For the covering of prayer

Dedication For Nana Baffour Amakwatia II (Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III) We will continue what you have begun.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

*To the Reader It is not by chance that this book has come into your possession. What you are about to read will transform your life in every way. Read and be wise, then share it with a friend.

*A scroll is a symbol of ancient wisdom. In ancient times,. African scribes would document their scientific discoveries and deep knowledge on papyrus scrolls. These scrolls contained the wisdom of the ages and many still exist today. Also in ancient times, the symbol of the Udjat (Third Eye) represented deep insight. Every time you see a scroll and Udjat in this book, it contains deep wisdom and insight for you to pause and think about.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Acknowledgements The following are business mentors of character, consciousness, and commitment who have poured their insights into me. I am eternally grateful for their vitality and vision and for their willingness to share it with me: Leslie Fenwick J.R. Fenwick Jason Fenwick Ken Bridges Jackie Mayfield Edward Robinson Yusuf Muhammad Craig Johnson Ron Fontenot Joe Dudley John Raye Ali Salahuddin Helen Salahuddin Delxino & Debbie De Briano Jim Clingman Ako Kambon Alfred “Coach” Powell Joseph Carswell

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Table of Contents Foreword

Introduction

Chapter One: The Law of Mission Meditation

Chapter Two: The Law of Magnetic Mind

Chapter Three: The Law of Motion & Momentum

Chapter Four: The Law of Meticulous Management

Chapter Five: The Law of Magnificent Manifestation

Chapter Six: The Law of Meaningful Multiplication

Chapter Seven: The Law of Mystical Mastery

About Dr. Chike Akua

Are You Interested in Becoming a Paid Speaker?

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Authors Note: The original version of this book was written in 2005, the year before I left my job to work full-time building my educational consulting and publishing business. Writing it helped me to clarify and codify the key concepts that I used to build a six-figure a year enterprise that has taken me around the world. It also contains the ideas that helped me build the mental and emotional muscle needed to take the journey from employee to entrepreneur. I pray that this revised and expanded, 10-year anniversary edition blesses you on your SuccessQuest journey.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Foreword In my career in business, I’ve worked with hundreds of thousands of people and generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues, but I had never met ANYONE like Dr. Chike Akua. I had just delivered an event to members of my Black Business Network in Atlanta, Georgia, when a friend of mine, a powerful self-made millionaire by the name of Dr. Jackie Mayfield, told me that I needed to meet a wonderful Brother named Chike Akua. He said that we should work together. I thought about it... This “Chike Akua” must really be something to be personally recommended by Dr. Mayfield, who runs the largest Black-owned tax company in the United States, with over 200 offices. I was intrigued. I had to meet this man. Little did I know that meeting Chike would change the future of my organization and impact tens of thousands of lives. Soon after, I met Chike and was immediately impressed with his dynamic personality and his golden heart. He had an unmistakable passion and drive for success. He was confident in himself, his abilities and where he was going in life. He was truly on a SuccessQuest. I found out that he had formerly been a school teacher and had been elected “Teacher of the Year.” I learned that he had become one of the most sought after speakers at colleges, universities and educational conferences. I learned about the amazing books he had written, and the powerful CDs and DVDs that he had produced. I found out that he had been selected “one of the 50 Leaders of Tomorrow” by Ebony magazine. Obviously, Dr. Mayfield’s respect for him was well deserved. Then, I heard him speak... Wow! Chike Akua electrified the room and took everyone on an educational journey that stirred our emotions, enlightened us with new knowledge and inspired us beyond words! He brought the house down! We had never seen or FELT anything like it 8

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary before. It wasn’t long before we were setting up events for Chike to speak to our Black Business Network members all over the world. We started broadcasting his events to eager audiences in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. We couldn’t get enough of his powerful words and teaching. We still can’t. Chike is simply THE BEST at what he does. I’ve gotten to work with Chike on various business projects. I’ve come to admire his relentless work ethic, passion and drive. I’ve rarely met anyone that produces like Chike Akua. He is always creating new, powerful products. He is always delivering powerful messages to audiences around the world. He is always growing and expanding and taking his craft to a completely new level. It is impressive. With Chike in your circle of friends, you have to keep moving and succeeding, or else you may feel like you are sitting still. He is inspiring. His consistent, unrelenting, high level of production is a characteristic that I’ve only seen in a few people. Chike Akua’s business skills are unmatched. He has master-level knowledge and skills in marketing, business building, speaking, writing, teaching and training and in other fields. The best part is, he is willing to share his knowledge. I’ve seen Chike teach entire audiences how to succeed in business and in life. He has an uncanny ability to teach others how to succeed, regardless of their background. At his powerful seminars, I’ve seen him train TV celebrities, professional athletes, world-famous musicians, doctors, attorneys, business leaders and everyday people alike. I’ve seen people travel from all over America and internationally to learn from him. Best of all, I’ve seen the RESULTS that he has produced. Countless people have furthered their dreams, expanded their businesses, and even launched new careers because of Chike Akua’s training. Several have achieved 6figure success by putting his training into action. Wow! Chike Akua shot like a rocket up through the ranks of the Black Business Network, outpacing tens of thousands of 9

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary others, and won our heralded “Black Business of the Year” award, year after year. When we launched the Buy Black Movement (www.BuyBlackMovement.com), we featured Chike Akua as the movement’s #1 success story and one of the greatest successes the Black community has ever produced. He is a living example of what one person with drive and determination can achieve. He has truly taken his life from ordinary to extraordinary! Dr. Chike Akua is a dedicated husband and father, a powerful businessman, and a great friend. He is truly someone I respect and admire. Now it’s your turn to learn and let him inspire you, like he has inspired me. I strongly recommend you read this book, SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary. Chike has achieved great heights and is working to soar even higher. Now it’s your turn. Learn his secrets, apply them to your life, and reach the stars! Delxino Wilson de Briano, President TAG TEAM Marketing International, Inc. Buy Black Movement Black Business Network www.BuyBlackMovement.com

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Introduction One day I called my brother J.R. He could tell that my voice did not have energetic quality that it usually had. He asked me what was wrong. For the next several minutes I began to enumerate all that was going wrong in my life. I heaped example upon example of why my business was not producing the way I felt it should. I talked about how my sales were not reflecting the tremendous amount of time and energy I was putting in. I talked about how I was constantly trying to regain my health and wellness because my immune system was low due to a lack of rest and stress. I went on for several minutes. J.R. was silent. We all need people who can help us on our journey and listen empathetically to our problems. But we also need people to challenge us. I was expecting a word of empathy, encouragement, or at least understanding. I got exactly what I expected, but it came in an unexpected way. After I finished ranting and raving, J.R. continued to be silent for a few seconds. Did we have a bad connection? I didn’t know if he had heard what I said. But then he finally spoke…and what he said changed my life. He said very simply, “Well…you can always go back to being ordinary!” Those words neutralized the bitterness in my spirit and reminded me that I had consciously chosen the path I was on—the ups, the downs, the ins and outs, the highs and lows. All I could do was laugh and appreciate just how profound those words were. You see, J.R. knew that I had transformed myself from a chronically underachieving student in high school to an honor student in college. He knew that after rebounding from failure in high school, I had consciously, constantly, and consistently demanded the best from myself. And he knew that when I became a teacher, I demanded the best of my students. In other words, for me, the ordinary just wouldn’t do. Everything I do is about being extraordinary. And may I 11

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“…for me, the ordinary just won’t do. And may I say that that’s the reason why you picked up this book— because the same is true of you? -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary suggest that that’s why you picked up this book—because the same is true of you? What’s the difference between people who are ordinary and those that are committed to the extraordinary? Let’s take a look at a few things that separate the two, then you can make a more informed decision regarding which you would prefer to be. Ordinary People

Extraordinary People

Look for what’s wrong Give thanks for what’s right Always struggling Always striving Walk in bondage (mentally, Walk in breakthrough emotionally, financially)

physically,

Press toward mediocrity

Press toward the mark for their high calling Walk in doubt and worry Walk in Divine Wisdom Walk only with desires Turn their desires into destiny Fall down and stay down Fall down and get up Live in self-denial Walk in self-determination Speak words of persecution Speak Words of Power Cynical and sarcastic about Seek success by studying successful people successful people Blame others Bear responsibility See a problem in every See an opportunity in every opportunity problem Try and fail Try, fail, and try again…until they succeed! Tend to be broke Are blessed (being blessed is a matter of consciousness, not just capital)

What is success? Since childhood, most people, at home and in school, have been urged to find success. However, success was never fully or completely defined. Some of us interpreted it to mean fame. Others interpreted it to mean fortune. Still others understood it to be a unique combination of both. Ultimately, you must define success for yourself, but for the purposes of this book, we have some other thoughts on the subject. 13

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary I will never forget the process of writing my first book. The writing process was exhilarating and I had so much to say. Once begun, another force took over and a book that I thought would be 30-40 pages at best, ended up being 157 pages. It was amazing to see what was given to me in those captivating moments of writing, once I had committed to giving my time and energy to the project. But what was difficult for me was the struggle: the struggle of working fulltime, writing part-time, proof-reading, trying to raise money for the book to be printed, released, marketed, distributed, sold…the list goes on and on. I remember one day during that long process being When we are utterly frustrated and at wits end. unable to give what I felt that I had so much to say is within us, or and that I had to get it out of me when we think we and into the hands of the can’t, it creates a intended audience. I felt like I serious blockage in was on the edge of some sort of primal violent outbreak. From the universal flow that experience, I had a dramatic of energy. awakening. That when we are unable to give what is within us, or when we think we can’t, it creates a serious blockage in the universal flow of energy. From this I gleaned that much of the crime and violence that we see in the world today could be attributed to people who never cultivated talents and abilities in a way that allowed them to share their gifts with the world. I used to volunteer at a prison, teaching a self-esteem class for men. It was an awesome experience in which I saw men of incredible intellect, talent, and skill. They all were looking for ways to share their gifts. One thing prison gave them was the time to cultivate their gifts, albeit not in the best environment. I met and counseled men who were incredible writers, craftsmen, researchers, entertainers,

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Success is the ever-unfolding journey of giving and living at the highest level.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary philosophers, and much more. Somewhere in the midst of life’s challenges, I believe they became frustrated at not having explored their gifts and passions and as a result turned to a life of crime. Success is the ever-unfolding journey of giving and living at the highest level. We say that it is a journey of giving because all life begins with giving…and may we even suggest that if you’re not giving, you’re really not living. The sun gives generously the warmth of its rays every day, even when you can’t see it or feel it. The trees exhale oxygen giving us the vital breath of life in every moment of every day. The lakes, rivers, and streams give us water to hydrate and bathe ourselves. Nature gives us food to eat and herbs for healing. The flowers give the beauty of their fragrance and appearance. Everything in the natural order shows us the principle of giving. To give, someone or something must be there to receive. And so nature also reciprocates the process of giving with receiving. While we breathe in the oxygen from the trees, we exhale carbon dioxide, which the trees breathe in for life. This is the circle of life, a delicate balance of giving and receiving. From this example, we can see that giving naturally precipitates receiving. Within each of us, there is so much to give…and so much to be received if we would not hold back. When we give with gratitude all that life has placed within us, the Universe has no “Success is not way to respond but with abundance. about fame or Herein lies the SuccessQuest! Success fortune, but is not about fame or fortune, but fulfillment.” fulfillment. While you might find fame and fortune on your path, fulfillment can only be found in giving with gratitude all that we have to help meet people’s needs. The “Quest” in SuccessQuest! is the search. Many have searched high and 16

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“In the African American community, there are those who have capital but no social or cultural consciousness. Then there are those who have consciousness, but no capital. We must raise up a new generation of fearless financial warriors who know how to raise capital and consciousness.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary low, far and wide, looking for success. As we seek and search for the highest form of living, new revelations, dramatic awakenings, awe-inspiring adventures, and cosmic occurrences abound. Business philosopher, Jim Rohn has said, Success is not something you acquire, but something you attract by becoming an attractive person.” What are you attracting? What would you like to attract? There are four components to the SuccessQuest! First, success is about service. Remember, if you’re not giving, you’re not living. It’s about serving your family, community, and humanity—all three, not one or two at the expense of the other(s). Secondly, success is a system. This means that it is a clearly calculated, well-defined plan. It works even when you’re not because of meaningful mechanisms you have put in place to keep things flowing smoothly. Thirdly, by virtue of the fact that success is systematic, it is a science. It is clearly predictable based on certain factors such as vision, innovation, management, perseverance and problem solving all working synergistically. Last, but certainly not least, success is about your relationship with the Supernatural. This must be thoughtfully, consciously and carefully factored into everything we do on our journey. There must be principles undergirding our profits. There must be character and consciousness under girding our capital. This is why we teach that we can raise capital and consciousness at the same time. In the African American community (and many other communities) there are those who have capital and no social or cultural consciousness. Then there are those who have consciousness, but no capital. We must raise up a new generation of fearless financial warriors who know how to raise capital and consciousness. So these four components (service, system, science and Supernatural) comprise the substance of success for extraordinary people. Anything less just isn’t success.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“On the SuccessQuest journey, there must be principles undergirding our profits. There must be character and consciousness undergirding our capital.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary For years I was a goal-driven person. But I have found that the Quest is best when pursued with passion, purpose, and precision. That is why this book is not just to be read, but studied, and re-read over and over again. This book and the accompanying audio and video programs offer a systematic approach to radically restructuring your life for success. We are taught that, “The race is not to the swift nor the strong, but he that endures to the end.” This is a distance run, not a sprint. As such, the affirmations at the beginning of each chapter will assist you in building the mental muscle and emotional endurance that is essential for your rise. In addition, there are compelling quotes and thought-provoking proverbs in scrolls and boxed within the text for emphasis. The Seven Laws of the SuccessQuest! will assist you on your journey from ordinary to extraordinary. However, these Seven Laws must not be viewed in a linear continuum. Remember, success is that “ever-unfolding journey.” So even when you have employed each of the Seven Laws, it is very natural to start back again at the First Law and start using it and the rest at an even higher level of expression. And what you will see in the pages of this book and deep within yourself is the evolution of the extraordinary.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Chapter 1 The Law of Mission Meditation

Affirmation: I meditate on my mission daily.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Affirmation I meditate on my mission daily. -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary I’ll never forget the sinking feelings of anxiety whenever I received a graded test, a progress report or report card in my first three years of high school. I struggled through those years in deep discouragement and disillusionment. I knew I was smart. I knew I was intelligent. I knew I was talented. I just couldn’t quite figure out why it wasn’t reflected in my grades. In elementary school, I had been a top student and a standout in sports. Now, I was languishing in the bottom 10% of my class, always afraid to face my parents when they got word of my latest failing grades. Have you ever struggled through a situation—a class, a job, a relationship, through life!—knowing that things could be better? Have you ever felt trapped in a situation knowing that you could do more, be more, and have more? It wasn’t until my senior year that things changed. Things changed because I changed. My sister, who had graduated from college and come back to our hometown to teach, tutored me. The first semester of my senior year, I raised my GPA from a 1.9 to a 3.2. For the first time in seven years of my young life, I had made the honor roll. Now I enjoyed a new feeling as I walked past the counselor’s office to see the names of those who made the honor role posted on the wall. After this, there was no turning back. But in looking back, I was amazed at how close I came to falling through the cracks. This gave me a burning desire to show other people, youth and adults, how to break through to success. So when I got to college, I was asked what I wanted to major in. I told my advisor, “I want to teach.” I wanted to go back and reach other young people that were chronic underachievers just like I had been and show them how to turn it all around. This burning desire became my passionate mission. I completely re-educated myself and studied the best ways to reach young people. I immersed myself in culture, history, and literary classics. Once I knew 23

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary what my mission was, it gave my life purpose and direction. Anyone who came within ten yards of me could feel the energy and passion I had for what I was doing. The same is true of you—when you find your purpose and mission. Life has three critical question for every person. How you answer these questions determines the quality of your life and everything you experience—period. The three questions are: 1. Who am I? 2. What is my purpose and mission in life? 3. How do I fulfill my purpose and mission? Until you understand who you are and until you understand your purpose and Identity mission, life has very little direction. If determines you don’t know who you are, society will activity.” assign you an identity. And keep this in mind, identity determines activity. If I think I am successful, then I will do the things successful people do. If I think I’m a failure then I will do the things that lead to failure. Identity determines activity. We teach young people in our SuccessQuestForStudents.com youth workshops that if you think you’re a thug, you’ll act like a thug. If you think you’re a troublemaker or class clown, you’ll act like one—because identity determines activity. If you think you’re a successful businessperson or scholar, you’ll act like one because identity determines activity. So you have to take some time to get a clear picture of who you are. I wanted—and still want—to be a Master Teacher. This is what I have strived for, for the entirety of my adult life. I have taught in public schools, private schools, churches, mosques, temples prisons, parks and community centers. I have taught elementary, middle, and high school students, college students, graduate students, counselors, parents, administrators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary The world is my classroom. My life has purpose and direction, because I understand my mission. Do you? If you don’t, then you may be wondering, how do I find my mission? I can’t meditate on it if I don’t know what it is. That’s a fair question. Here’s how you TAPP into your purpose: T-Talents A-Abilities P-Prayerful Preparation P-People Talents A talent is something you do extremely well, better than average. What do you have a talent for? Is it coaching, planning, administrating, organizing, executing, taking things apart, putting things back together, encouraging others, nurturing, guiding. Are you a visionary who comes up with progressive ideas? What are your talents? Take note and take inventory of the things you do extremely well—and then cultivate them. It’s not enough to have talent, that talent must be cultivated to make it outstanding. Jim Rohn says, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” Now how can your talents be used to help others? If you can answer that question, you are on your way to understanding your mission. Abilities An ability is a skill that may be possessed by many people. Through the development of an ability, your skills to perform it expands. Though many people may possess the skill, it is not to be overlooked, because it is still very useful. Can you type a document in Microsoft Word? Can you do an Excel spreadsheet? Can you create a business plan, file taxes, formulate a marketing strategy, plan an event, design a website, create a blog? Are you good at communicating and developing rapport with others? These are things that many people can do and would not consider to be extraordinary. 25

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Can you balance a checkbook, change the oil on a car, take a computer apart and put it back together again. All of these are useful skills that can assist you tremendously on your SuccessQuest! as you find your mission. Prayerful Preparation What are you doing to prepare for your purpose and mission? Are you in school? Are you putting forth your best effort in school? Are you reading at least a book per month to increase your insight, information, and skill set? Preparation means that you are actively engaged and in pursuit of an ideal. Preparation is based on a plan. You are planning to be successful and this requires preparation. Prayerfully and carefully prepare for your purpose. People It has been said that, “you are the sum total of the five people you hang around the most.” Another more familiar phrase is that “birds of a feather flock together.” Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu says it like this, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Successful people hang around other successful people. Extraordinary people hang around other extraordinary people. Ordinary people hang around other ordinary people. Who are you hanging around? They will either help you or hinder you. They will either maximize or minimize you on your SuccessQuest! There is an African Proverb which says, “It is better to travel alone than with a bad companion.” However, what can be just as detrimental to hanging around the wrong people is isolating yourself and hanging around no people. Some individuals have had traumatic experiences of neglect, betrayal, bullying or abuse that make them distrustful of others. As a result, they alienate and isolate themselves from others—even the very people who

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“If you wish to travel fast, go alone; but if you wish to travel far, go together.” -African Proverb

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary could help them on their SuccessQuest journey. If you are like this, in order to live a full and fulfilled life, at some point, you will need to summon the courage to trust again, knowing that there are others who are deserving of your trust.. There is an African Proverb which says, “If you wish to travel fast, go alone; but if you wish to travel far, go together.” Dr. Dale Bronner shows us that this lesson is as simple as elementary arithmetic. The bottom line is that people will either add to your life, subtract from it, multiply it, or divide it. The right people will add to your life. Extraordinary people will multiply ideas and opportunities in your life. Ordinary people will subtract and take from your life, sapping your energy, drive, and passion. They will even divide and divert your attention away from your mission if you let them. When we take inventory of and cultivate our talents and abilities, when we are actively engaged in preparation and surround ourselves with the right people, our mission begins to emerge, unfold and take shape. Here are some final thoughts to consider as you find your mission. What do you love to give? Some people love to give by cooking for others. Some love to give by planning events. Some love to give information and insight by teaching. Some love to give by leading. Some love to give by singing or composing music to soothe the soul. Some love to construct and create things. What do you love to give? When you really focus on what you love to give, it brings about passion and excitement. When you find out what you love to give, you have found your mission. Whatever you love to give, your mission is to give it—give it beautifully, excellently, graciously, energetically, abundantly, and lovingly. Emerson said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!” And someone once told me that the secret to living your dreams is simple— wake up!

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Another helpful hint at finding your purpose, mission, and calling is to answer this question: What do you hate? I hate to see failure in young people who are intelligent, talented, and creative. This drives me to create educational resources that help them meet their potential. This motivates me to train educators with cutting edge teaching techniques. What you hate can inspire you to create a product or service that meets a need? It was love and hate that prompted me to start Imani Enterprises and the Teacher Transformation Institute. I have a love for children and want to see them properly educated. I hate seeing young people fall through the cracks because of a lack of support, resources and understanding. Why? Because this almost happened to me! A mission is a life assignment. It’s why you were sent here. Everyone and everything has a purpose. If you don’t know your purpose, someone will assign you one—and you may not like the purpose society assigns to you. If you don’t know your purpose, you’re ripe and vulnerable for exploitation. If you don’t know your purpose, an employer may simply assign you the purpose of being his/her employee. The preference of when you want to work might not matter. The preference for how much you would like to get paid might not matter. Your preference for being a person of honesty and integrity might not even matter. Your purpose is to be their employee. Your purpose for them may be to come in early and work late. It may be to be the last hired and first fired. It may be to be overworked and underpaid. I don’t know about you, but I cannot afford to place that kind of power in someone else’s hands. Society seems to have assigned a pitiful purpose to a certain number of our young men. They inhabit and overcrowd the prisons to further fuel and finance the prison industrial complex—a multi-billion dollar industry. So you must know your mission and purpose, otherwise you will be consumed and subsumed by someone else’s. 29

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary To meditate is to reflect deeply. This is absolutely essential for anyone who wants to materialize their mission. You must take time to imagine the infinite, dream into the stream of universal consciousness. Every morning at 6am, I rise to partake of something that has become as essential as breathing. After doing pushups and situps, I fast-walk a mile (sometimes two or three). I put my headphones on with inspirational and energetic music. To the observer, I am walking on a treadmill. But for me—I’m walking into success. Every morning workout takes me further on my SuccessQuest journey subconsciously. I then leave my workout room and then materialize it in my world. During this sacred time, I close my eyes and visualize whatever project I am working on. It could be something I want to see happen in my family, my business, or my finances. It could be a new product I am designing. Whatever it is, I get a clear picture in my head. This technique has served me well because it has allowed me to tap into my creative personal power. It has increased my visions and my capacity to envision. Some people have been so beat down by life, they have lost the capacity to envision. Because of past disappointments, they are afraid to dream again. To practice the Law of Mission Meditation you must cultivate vision and valor. Vision is the ability to see beyond your current circumstances. Valor is the courage to step out on faith and bring the vision to fruition. The conscious mind records only what is going on in the physical reality, the world of appearances. If you focus only on this and things don’t seem to be going your way, it can be very discouraging. It is the subconscious mind that is “the workshop of the soul,” allowing us to envision a world the way we would like it to be. As we cultivate vision and valor, we must envision with precision. Make your vision vivid, not vague. The clarity of your vision is a cosmic force unto itself which draws 30

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Vision is the ability to see beyond your circumstances. Valor is the courage to step out on faith and bring the vision to fruition.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary you closer to its actualization. Many forces of resistance will come to see how committed you can be. We teach that the oppositional energy we face on the SuccessQuest is not simply to discourage you. It is there for you to see if you really believe what you say you believe about “all things being possible.” One of the most difficult things to do in the midst of the storm is to hold the vision. You must be unflinching and unwavering. Dr. Dale Bronner suggests that, “Your dream is like a baby. You must nourish and nurture it like a mother, protect it and provide for it like a father.” If you do not like what you are experiencing, at any given time, you can go past your conscious mind through Mission Meditation. You can take the time to envision something more…more fulfilling, more profitable, more impactful. Or you can envision something less…less stressful, less taxing, less time-consuming. You get to determine the nature of your envisioning. And as you do this consciously, constantly, and consistently, something magical begins to happen that will forever change the course of your life.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Chapter 2 The Law of Magnetic Mind

Affirmation: “My mentality produces my reality!”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Affirmation: “My mentality produces my reality!” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Do you remember discovering the magic of magnets when you were a child? I remember a book that my brother and I had that was all about magnets. The book told the story of a little boy who began to discover the wonders of magnetic attraction for himself. And when he saw what a magnet could do, he went around the house trying to draw all sorts of things to his magnet. I loved this book as a child and read it over and over. The book even came with a magnet so you could discover the magic yourself. Fast-forward forty years, and I am even more fascinated with the magic of magnets. I have discovered that the mind is a “…the mind magnet and attracts to it that which is of is a magnet a similar substance. A magnet only has and attracts the power of attraction over objects with the property of metal. Your mind can to it that only attract to it that which is the which is of substance of your thoughts. This is similar colossal, life-changing information! substance.” This is not hypothetical and it’s not a hypothesis. This is not speculation but revelation. This is the science behind the scriptures, the physics behind your faith, the psychology behind your success. When I first understood the implications of this critical information, everything in my life underwent a dramatic shift. I began to think about situations, circumstances, and events that I had unconsciously magnetized. Some of the things I had magnetized were wonderful. And some of the things were— you guessed it—terrible. But the good news is, my life is largely in my own hands. For the most part, I can create whatever I want by the power of my mind and spirit—and so can you.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“…the mind is a magnet and attracts to it that which is of similar substance.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Increase Your Reach In Chapter One you began to meditate on your mission. Chances are when you meditate on your mission, the vision becomes so large it can be scary. You begin to think, “How am I going to accomplish that?!” It is good and natural to ask this question. But don’t get hung up on the “how.” That’s none of your business right now. Your responsibility is the “what.” The universe’s responsibility is the “how.” Now you are beginning to see the possibilities behind the Law of Magnetic Mind. And didn’t the Master teach us that, “all things are possible to them that believe?” Indeed all things are possible, available and achievable. Wait…go back and read that last sentence again! Armed with this knowledge, you should never again think small. You should never again focus on “just getting by.” We cannot afford to think thoughts of lack or limitation. Famed motivational speaker Willie Jolley says, “If your dream doesn’t scare you, go back and dream again.” No more “at least” prayers. Dream no small dreams, envision no small visions, pray no small prayers. For in the Divine Mind there is no lack or limitation, only infinite abundance and endless possibilities. Given the Law of Magnetic Mind, what will these kind of affirmations produce in your life? When boxers are being compared, one of the things that is measured along with their height and weight is their reach. The reason their reach is measured and recorded is because it letss the fighters and the trainers know how close they have to be to the other fighter to make contact. It’s time for you to increase your reach. As a SuccessQuest Visionary, you must measure your mental reach so you can make conscious contact with your dreams. Your visioning is valuable. You’ve got to see more to be more. When it comes to making a critical impact in society, some people have a local mental reach. Other people extend their mental reach to the state level. Still others gain 37

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“All things are possible, available and achievable.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

national impact in their mental visioning. Then there are those who have an international impact. Their work affects millions of people globally. Dare I say that there are even those who have an interdimensional impact who are able to summon angelic, ancestral, and cosmic energies to bring about great change. We must increase our mental reach. When it comes to economics, some people’s mental reach is in the hundreds of dollars. Others are able to magnetize thousands of dollars. Still some, tens and hundreds of thousands. Then there are the extraordinary few who are able to summon millions and billions. We must increase our mental reach using the Law of Magnetic Mind. Attraction in Action Have you ever witnessed two people at the same school, same class, same job, same profession or same business. With equal opportunity before them, one excels while one struggles. One experiences constant conflict with people and situations while the other experiences upward mobility. I saw this countless times as a classroom teacher. I’ve also seen it countless times in business. It was amazing to me to see two children in the same class who attracted different experiences. One child would always get into conflict with others and always be on the verge of fighting. The other would come to class on time, do their work and learn. I learned from this that we each attract different things into our lives. Certainly you’ve seen this dynamic at work, too. But here’s the bare bones, in-your-face, like-it-or-not truth. If someone’s getting results and you’re not, you must take time to look at what you are attracting. It doesn’t matter if you think they don’t deserve the raise, the grade, the

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Dream no small dreams, envision no small visions, pray no small prayers. For in the Divine Mind there is only infinite abundance and endless possibilities.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary promotion, the bonus, or the lifestyle. They are attracting something that you’re not. Period. This is a hard lesson to learn that leads straight to the heart of the matter—that is, taking personal responsibility for everything that happens in your life. Most people would rather point fingers, play the blame game, and have pity parties. I used to do this. But I don’t anymore. I also no longer accept invitations to pity parties. As a matter fact, I’ve been known to crash a few.

Multiplying Your Magnetism How in the world did this happen to me? I didn’t want any more responsibilities at work. I was working full time and trying to grow my part-time business of developing educational resource materials and consulting. I didn’t need any more responsibilities. Nonetheless, by default, the task had fallen upon my shoulders. I was the chair of a committee which had to apply for a federal education grant for the school at which I was working. It was a tedious task pulling together all of the research needed for the grant proposal, constantly checking with other people on the committee, synthesizing reports, and gathering data to support what we asking for. It was a daunting task. To make matters worse, there was pressure on our school because we did not get approved for the grant the previous two years. It was at this time that my business was beginning to grow in leaps and bounds. I was traveling more on weekends and being asked to speak at major conferences. As a matter of fact, at a critical time in the grant proposal process, I was in the middle of a breakthrough seven-city tour: two cities per weekend for four straight weeks. I would leave school on a Friday and rush to the airport to catch my plane and get back late Sunday night and go to work early Monday morning. It

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Every man I meet is walking time—free to wander past his conscious mind.” -Earth, Wind& Fire

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary was both exhausting and exhilarating. But I loved every minute of it. But this also meant that during the week before these weekend speaking engagements I had to get my books and DVDs ready and shipped to various places. It was no small task being a husband, father, educator, and—the list goes on and on…But I learned the Law of Magnetic Mind on the fly, in the trenches. That holiday season my wife had given me an invaluable gift that I had asked for—an album by one of the baddest groups in the universe. The album was entitled “The Essential Earth, Wind, & Fire.” Listening to this album rekindled my childhood love of their music. But it also helped me see how their songs were infused with the ancient teachings. In one of their songs, they say, “every man I meet is walking time, free to wander past his conscious mind.” I would begin to daily drink deeply from this wellspring of wisdom Your mind is at once a mental broadcasting station and spiritual stereo receiver. It is a broadcasting station vibrating at a frequency that like-minded individuals tune into. Your mind is also a stereo receiver in that it pulls down signals from the atmosphere. In light of this, what are you tuned into? And what is tuned into you? Your thoughts, words, emotions, and experiences give us a good indication. During my early morning workouts I began to consciously and unconsciously use the Law of Magnetic Mind. As I listened to inspirational and uplifting music I began to envision my business continuing to grow, my family prospering, and lastly—the grant being approved. I was using that principle of “walking time.” During those intense workouts, I was, in my spirit, walking “past my conscious mind” into the creative superconscious mind. These thoughts were continuously nurtured in my spirit at the highest vibratory frequency. By this, I mean, I didn’t just think about it, I felt the feelings of achieving my goals in 43

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“You must remain in a state of exulted consciousness!” -Dr. John Raye

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

myself the feeling of satisfaction that accompanied these accomplishments. By the time I was finished with my workouts, I was so amped, so charged, that it led me closer and closer to fulfilling those visions. It was around this time that one of my Elders, Dr. John Raye, taught me that “you must remain in a state of exulted consciousness.” And truly Dr. Raye was and is the embodiment of that statement. He is always excited and charged. The problem was, he taught that principle in a seminar I attended and I didn’t get to ask him why we must stay in a state of exulted consciousness. But through my striving, the magic of life and the beauty of discovery lifted the veil for me. It is this state of “exulted consciousness” that we multiply our magnetism. We radiate more and more magnetic energy, increasing our mental reach. This is why the ancient teachings tell us, “be not conformed unto this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” So this state of exulted consciousness increases your reach and multiplies your magnetism. This state of exulted consciousness also creates within you what I call a “Spirit of Expectancy.” This Spirit of Expectancy draws you closer and closer to that which you have magnetized. What you expect is what you manifest. Everyone already walks with a Spirit of Expectancy. The questions is, what are you expecting? Expect the best! Consider the words of Henry Thomas Hamblin in his timeless classic, Dynamic Thought: “Think ‘success’ and thousands of invisible forces will fly to your aid. Think ‘failure’ and innumerable forces will help make your failure even more complete.” The invisible forces of which Mr. Hamblin speaks are very real. Consider the ancient African teachings of the NTU (pronounced like “into”). Dr. Fred Phillips and Dr. Edward Robinson illuminate this teaching clearly. Dr. Phillips defines

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Think ‘success’ and thousands of invisible forces will fly to your aid. Think ‘failure’ and innumerable forces will help make your failure even more complete.” -Henry Thomas Hamblin

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary NTU as a root word form the Bantu nation of central Africa. It refers to the cosmic universal force manifested in all life and things. It is both immanent and transcendent—meaning, it is within all life and around all things. It is a natural, creative, and healing force. Dr. Robinson goes on to teach that when the pre-frontal cortex of the brain is flooded with these tiny particles of universal energy, the result is the manifestation of the high ideals being magnetized. Have you ever witnessed a snowstorm with heavy winds? Perhaps this is the best way to visualize what the NTU looks like. I grew up “Dream in Ohio during the seventies. For about three NTU the straight winters (1976-78), we had blizzards stream!” leaving two to three feet of snow. You could see the snow flakes falling and swirling in the wind. It seemed like it would never stop. The manifestation of our ideas can not be stopped when we realize that the NTU are part of our being. The NTU are around us and in us at all times like a stream that is constantly flowing. Our access to the abundance of this creative universal energy is limitless. So we say dream into the stream!” Or, perhaps more appropriately, “Dream NTU the stream!” Thoughts of fear, doubt, worry, lack, and limitation can, however, block the flow of this vital energy and create a mental dam. Now consider more words of wisdom from Earth, Wind, & Fire from their song called “Fantasy”: “Every thought is a dream flashing by in a stream, bringing life to the kingdom of doing.” What we think about, meditate on and magnetize directly results in the life we experience. These brothers were not singing songs, they were singing science! The NTU is also related to what the ancient Egyptians called shu, the vital energy and breath of life. It is also related to what the ancient sages of India called prana. The ancient Hebrews called it ruah. The Chinese call it chi, the Japanese

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Every thought is a dream flashing by in a stream, bringing life to the Kingdom of doing.” -Earth, Wind & Fire

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

call it ki. Call it what you want, but above all, understand that there is tremendous power in it. There seems to be a relation of these things to what modern science calls neutrinos. Neutrinos are tiny particles of matter originating mostly from the sun, which travel close to the speed of light, passing through ordinary matter virtually undisturbed. If all this seems too deep, esoteric and scientific, understand that there is an unseen world in and around you whirling and swirling with possibility. Part of your responsibility is to harness these forces and use them for good to manifest your mission. So with this stream of vital universal energy in and around us whirling and swirling, we are situated in a unified field of pure potential, and limitless possibility. The knowledge of the Universe is meticulously woven into the very fabric of our being. Our souls are wells from which we can draw the refreshing waters of infinite insight. Again consider these further penetrating affirmative thoughts from Hamblin: “I attract to myself streams of thoughts and emotions of a like character, which strengthen and help me. I grow into the likeness of that upon which I meditate. I become a magnet, I draw and attract to myself all that I need. Difficulties are smoothed out, people and opportunities come to me unbidden, the way is made clear before me, and all things work together for my good. My services to the world become increasingly valuable, I get a greater and deeper insight into my work, I am inspired in such a way that I can do better work, and more work, and greater work than ever before. Therefore I can see in my mind’s eye all desirable things coming to me. All are seeking me instead of my seeking them. Friends, wealth, position, power, all are coming to me. I am a magnet. I am Success.” You are already an unconscious master of the Law of 49

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“The knowledge of the Universe is meticulously woven into the very fabric of our being.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Magnetic Mind. The question is, what have you been using it to create? You have either unconsciously created undesirable circumstances, desirable circumstances, or a hybrid of both. The good news is that you can start today to consciously create the life you desire for yourself and others. The magic of this law is that it is not just magnetic, it’s genetic. It’s in your DNA. You’re wired to use it. It’s also kinetic, dealing with the laws of motion which we will discuss and discover in Chapter Three. One of my goals for the school I was working in was to secure that grant before leaving to expand my business full time. I was very pleased that our six-figure proposal was approved. There was much work that was done. However, I have come to know that one of the primary reasons it was approved was because of the use of the Law of Magnetic Mind. What will you use the Law of Magnetic Mind to create?

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Chapter 3 The Law of Motion & Momentum

Affirmation: “My movement creates momentum.”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Affirmation: “My movement creates momentum.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary I was so excited when I was working on my third book. It was a book about the African American celebration of Kwanzaa. I was deeply immersed in researching and writing this book because of the values crisis many of our youth are facing. The seven principles of Kwanzaa speak to the values we must use to create and maintain a strong community. I shared the fact that I was writing this book with many people and I was so excited about it. I practiced Les Brown’s 3-foot rule. Anyone who came within three feet of me heard something from me about this book I was writing. But in all the excitement, I was still trying to figure out how to finance the publishing of the book. One day I was checking my mail. I opened a letter from one of my friends. As I opened the letter, a $500 check came out. In the letter, he said that he wanted to bless me with the money to help offset the cost of publishing the book. My first thought was to piously and humbly return the check and say something stupid like, “Oh, you didn’t have to do that” when it was really the answer to a prayer. This thought was quickly dismissed as being quite foolish indeed! While that check was nowhere near what I needed to finish publishing the book, it was a seed which gave me the momentum to finish the project. We do not want to minimize the importance of meditating on your mission and practicing the Law of Magnetic Mind. However, as clinical psychologist Dr. Na’im Akbar says, “You can’t eat meditation.” In other words, you gotta move! You gotta get up from the drawing board and go make it happen. Earlier we agreed that we must “envision with precision.” At this point on the journey, we add a deeper dimension to this statement. We say, “envision with precision…then make a decision! And that decision is to act and move to bring the vision to fruition. There’s no such thing as an “overnight success.” For those who appear to be an overnight success to you, you just 54

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary didn’t see them when they were working, struggling, praying, studying, and even crying. You didn’t see them when they were meticulously honing their skills so that when their big opportunity came, they would be ready. Your motion makes the difference. It is this motion that leads to momentum. It is like the proverbial snowball at the top of the hill. When you push it, it gains mass, speed and momentum. It was small when it started, now it’s big enough to make a snowman. You had to exert energy to get it going. Now you couldn’t stop it if you tried! This is the type of momentum you can create in every area of your life. Even when things appear to be slow or not happening according to your plan, you can continue to monitor and adjust your actions to meet the desired goal. Everything in the universe is constantly vibrating and in motion. This tells us that motion is a must. If you are not in motion toward your mission, if you are not in passionate pursuit of your purpose, you are out of sync with the universal rhythm of life. The challenge with this law is that it works in the negative as well. When something undesirable happens, if you don’t handle it with class and integrity, it’s motions will multiply and gain further momentum in the wrong direction. How we handle problems and challenges says a great deal about our character. Martin Luther King once remarked that, “The true measure of a man is not how he responds in times of comfort and convenience, but in times of controversy.” So even when something goes seemingly wrong, you can employ this Law of Motion and Momentum to turn it around and get it going in the right direction again. When I was in high school, I did not do very well in my science classes. However, a concept from chemistry that I remember well is the concept of the catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction. I recall that in our class, we did experiments where we had substances in a beaker. We were then told to add a drop of another substance. It would quickly change the mixture into a whole different 55

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Envision with precision… then make a decision! And that decision is to act and move to bring the vision to fruition.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary color or it would start steaming or smoking. All of this from the addition of one drop. I learned from this that a slight shift in your consciousness or what you give attention and energy to can act as a catalyst and dramatically change the outcome of what you’re doing. For example, once I became interested in speaking, I began to market my services and use every opportunity I could to speak. This one act became a catalyst to propel my speaking to another level. In addition, my personal library of audiotapes, CDs, videotapes, and DVDs quickly began to grow. I was studying the wonderful information in speeches, sermons, and motivational messages. But I was also studying how these speakers practiced their craft, the patterns of effective communication that move people to action. Another catalyst which can increase momentum is good old fashioned dogged determination. When people ask me, “Chike, when do you find the time to write?” I always sort of laugh inwardly. My productivity as a writer has been fueled by the fact that I know it is an integral part of my mission. I have always felt, not only that I had a great deal to say, but that I would go to any length to get it into the hands of the people. There have been times where I have literally had a baby and bottle in one hand and the other hand typing at my laptop working on a book. Not an easy feat, but what tremendous momentum this creates! I am convinced that the universe clears a path for those who demonstrate this kind of commitment. There is an African Proverb which says that, “Your failures in life come from not understanding your nearness to success when you give up.” My two sons have inspired in me a sense of self-determination that was unparalleled before their birth, allowing me to look beyond my limitations and see possibilities. At the time, my oldest son was in the infant/toddler stage, still waking up at night. Rest was something that seemed so elusive for me and my 57

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Your failures in life come from not understanding your nearness to success when you give up.” -African Proverb

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary wife. I couldn’t rest when I got home in the evenings from work because I had “Daddy duty.” Then, at night, he would wake up interrupting me and my wife’s sleep. That school year, my classroom was in a trailer. When I was working on A Treasure Within and the accompanying Parent/Teacher Resource Guide, there were circumstances I was faced with that astonish me when I think back. One day while my students were at their physical education class, I was so exhausted and rest broken that I literally curled up on the floor in my classroom and fell asleep for about thirty minutes before my students returned. The perseverance I had to have to create a better world for my sons continues to inspire me. Again, the universe honors this type of unwavering commitment. In addition, situations like this help you to know something about the indomitable nature that you possess within. As we mentioned before, it develops increasingly powerful mental muscle and emotional endurance to help you stay the course. Armed with this knowledge, you are not likely to bow down to adversity in the future. Consider the song that gave the Civil Rights Movement a great deal of momentum even in the face of violent and vicious police, dogs, fire hoses and citizen-terrorists: the people would still sing, “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round!” What is it in your life that needs the activation of motion and momentum? This law is the catalyst for creating change and the life you desire. .

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Chapter 4 The Law of Meticulous Management

Affirmation: “I meticulously manage my resources.”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Affirmation: “I meticulously manage my resources.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary One day several years ago, I was in the kitchen making spaghetti. “Man!” I said out loud to myself in a disappointed voice. “What’s wrong?” asked my sister-in-law, Stacy. “I ran out of spaghetti sauce. Now I gotta run to the store to get some more.” Stacy looked in the pot. “Didn’t you tell me you were the youngest of five children, Chike?” “Yes,” I replied not understanding what that had to do with needing more spaghetti sauce. “Don’t you think your mother ever ran out of spaghetti sauce trying to feed five children?” “Yeah,” I said, still oblivious to the point of her questions. “You better take some water, swish it around in the spaghetti sauce jar to get the rest out, pour it in the pot and add some more seasoning,” she said laughing. I did as suggested. The spaghetti was delicious. More importantly, I learned a tremendous life lesson. I call it the Law of Meticulous Management. It can be said that nothing truly belongs to us. We are only stewards and caretakers of what we have been blessed with. With this in mind, something mysterious seems to happen to those who carefully manage what has been left in their care. What they have seems to multiply as a result of meticulous management. If you ask ordinary people why they haven’t begun to pursue their dreams, they will begin to enumerate all the reasons why they haven’t or can’t or how they already tried. They will tell you they need x amount of dollars or a list of supplies and resources. They wait in a state of indefinite oblivion. Extraordinary people know that you don’t lead with what you don’t have. You lead by taking stock of what you

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“When you focus on what you do have and manage it well, it expands and multiplies exponentially.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary do have. When you focus on what you do have and manage it well, it expands and multiplies exponentially. When I was given the vision to write my first book I balked and complained. It was my first year of teaching. The long days were staggering as I was hammered by a continuous influx of papers to grade and lessons to plan. Though it was my deepest desire to write a book that would meet the academic, social, and cultural needs of my students, I still complained with the excuse, “I don’t have the time to write a book!” But in the spring of that first year of teaching, I was sidelined with the chicken pox. Of course chicken pox in adults is much worse than it is in children. I grew tired of laying on the couch with calamine lotion all over my face and body. And the calamine lotion didn’t even seem to help with the itching as the doctor had said it would. I was weary and tired and going into my second week of being bed-ridden. A still small voice whispered, “This is the time you said you never had to write the book I told you to write.” I humbly submitted and began writing the first five pages. It was exhilarating. Over the summer I began to write more and even drew the concept for the cover. By the fall of the following school year, I had a thirty page manuscript that I had shared with friends and family who gave tremendously encouraging feedback. But then I stopped again. “What am I doing,” I thought. I don’t have a computer. I don’t have a publisher. What am I going to do with this?” But the impulses to write continued to flow unabated and I was now just a vessel. When I shared my manuscript with a co-worker, he really liked it and saw it as critical information that our students needed. I told him that I didn’t know how to use a computer and even if I did, I didn’t have a computer. He said, “Come with me to the Media Center. I’ll show you how to use a computer.” He also informed me that 64

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary I could check out a computer from the media center on the weekends, over holidays, and even summer break. So I started writing in an unfurnished one bedroom apartment “It wasn’t until with a vision. As I walked into the I acted that all vision the resources came. My the resources I computer skills increased. I now had a needed showed 60-page manuscript and the keyboard up.” was on fire as an otherworldly force began to flow through me. When I showed my brother my 100-page manuscript, he was so impressed, he said, “If you finish it, I’ll publish it.” This was all the confirmation I needed to finish the 157-page manuscript. It didn’t matter to me that he wasn’t a publisher and knew nothing about the industry. If he said he would do it, then he would do it. And he did. My first book was released a few days after my 25th birthday and it was an exciting experience. Teachers and students enjoyed the book and I was voted Teacher of the Year by my peers. This story thoroughly illustrates the Law of Meticulous Management. I also noticed that it wasn’t until I acted that all the resources I needed began to show up. The problem is that we want conclusive, tangible, empirical evidence before we move, but it just doesn’t work that way. Once I made a commitment to do the book, the resources showed up when needed…and have shown up for the eleven other books and DVDs I’ve written and produced since then! Here are few key points about this law:  When embarking on a new phase of your mission take inventory of what you do have, not what you don’t.  Note the resources at your disposal, on the job, and through friends, and family  Realize that you actually have access to more resources than you think; you must relentlessly start asking the right questions to the right people 65

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary 

Affirm that others will help you when you need it If you meticulously manage what you do have and show yourself to be a good steward, it will expand, grow and multiply in ways you could never imagine. This Law of Meticulous Management works with your time, your talents, and your money. You can use it to squeeze all the juice out of what you have to create abundance in every area of your life. Remember, there is no lack or limitation, only infinite abundance and limitless possibilities. And if you’ve gotten this far on the journey, be careful. You’re teetering on the edge of an incredible breakthrough.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Chapter 5 The Law of Magnificent Manifestation

Affirmation: “I was meant to manifest!”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Affirmation: “I was meant to manifest!” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary “So now you think you’re the man, huh,” said J.R. on the other end of the phone. When I picked up the phone there was no “hello” just these confrontational words. “What are you talking about?” I asked. “Oh now you’re going to act like you don’t even know?” “Don’t know about what?” I asked incredulously. “Man…I’m holding this month’s Ebony magazine in my hand and you’re on page 200!” I couldn’t believe it. It was about three months prior that my mother had called and said she was sending me an application she received from a friend. She said it’s for Ebony magazine’s “50 Leaders of Tomorrow.” I had seen other such features in Ebony where they feature young movers and shakers and I thought of how neat it would be if I were selected for that honor one day. The problem was, she had acquired the application at the last minute and mailed it to me. By the time I got it, I would have exactly one day to fill out the extensive paperwork and submit the necessary information. It all happened so quickly. I got the application in the mail, filled in the blanks, adding a flier about my book and the exact size photo they requested. I prayed over the package and sent it off…and actually forgot about it. Three months later, I get a call from my brother letting me know that I was in the November, 1995, 50th anniversary edition of Ebony magazine, selected as one of the “50 Leaders of Tomorrow.” Word got out in my church and the school where I was teaching and people poured over me with excitement and joy. It was with great pride that I listed this in my bio as I would put together marketing materials for my books and workshops. In The Seven Laws of Spiritual Success, Deepok Chopra defines affluence as, “the abundant flow of all good things to you.” The Law of Magnificent Manifestation is about everything flowing to you that you’ve been dreaming of and 69

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary working for. The ancient teachings tell us that it will be done “exceedingly abundantly above that which you could think or ask.” So even when you look at what you’ve been meditating upon and magnetizing, there are still even more wonderful things that will happen to you. And the beauty of it is that you get to watch it all unfold. You get to witness firsthand the awakening of your personal power. It’s just as you imagined it and even more. Let me share some of what I “You get to experienced on the journey with this law. When I was doing some teaching witness and counseling in a prison ministry in a firsthand the small town in Virginia, I gave one of the awakening of inmates a copy of my first book. He your personal took it eagerly and read it. About a power.” month later, he returned it. The book literally looked like it was fifty years old, tattered and torn on the edges, dirt on the corners of the pages. He explained that the book had gone throughout the whole cell block and many of the inmates had read it cover to cover and loved it. There were only about eight inmates in the class I was teaching. But not long afterwards, I started receiving dozens of letters from inmates I didn’t even know. They explained in detail how the book had changed their lives and helped them learn more about themselves and how they could improve themselves. What a tremendous feeling to know that my book had impacted them in this way. And that feeling is addictive. That feeling is called fulfillment. It is the satisfaction of knowing that your life has made a difference. What a tremendous feeling it was after my fourth book, a children’s book entitled A Treasure Within was released. When I go to schools to do presentations for students and I get to greet the students who have read my book

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Fulfillment is the feeling of satisfaction that comes from knowing that your life has made a difference.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary or seen one of my presentations, the looks of admiration and appreciation from students, parents, teachers, and administrators is priceless. This is the Law of Magnificent Manifestation in action. Now, let’s look at the economic benefits of this breakthrough into magnificent manifestation. I must confess that for a long time, I felt that financial abundance could not lead to fulfillment. And in isolation, it can’t! However, when you are living life in passionate pursuit of purpose, in motion on a mission, using love and service with gratitude—it all comes together in a beautifully woven tapestry. And put simply, financial abundance opens up so many possibilities. For years my wife and I were caught up in the rat race! My wife was commuting almost two hours roundtrip per day. We were both dog tired racing home to get dinner ready for our children. We would eat quickly, help with homework, give the children a bath, read the bedtime stories, and go to bed. Only to start the whole thing over the next morning. It was a vicious cycle and a retrograde routine that was leaving us stressed out, on edge, and unfulfilled. We were eating fast food sometimes five or six times a week. We were constantly sick. It just wasn’t working. From this experience, I gleaned that that there is something about the way we were living that was not conducive to life. If you are caught up in a similar cycle, I suggest you radically re-evaluate and restructure your life, too. What a blessing it was when I decided to step out on faith full-time and give my wife the opportunity to fulfill one of her dreams: to be at home with our three year old son. This has radically changed our lives in immeasurable ways. When I first left my job, I would wake up in the morning, have a leisurely workout. I would get my older son up, get him dressed and fed and off to school. We pray before he goes into school. I returned home to work or I may go on to a speaking engagement or meeting. And do you know that I spent over four years magnetizing what I have just described 72

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary for you before it became a reality. Our lives were so much more at peace, centered, and balanced. It is indeed a magnificent manifestation! As a result of leaving my job, there are many days in which I make more money in one day than I made in a month working on my job!!! I have had some days in which I secured contracts which were double and triple what I made in a month on the job! All sorts of opportunities are open to those who commit themselves to the extraordinary. As a result, you now have access to extraordinary people, places, and events and options others don’t have. You can now live the extraordinary life because you were courageously willing to walk this path. I love to speak and provide coaching and consulting services. Years ago I had visions of traveling the country and indeed the world, speaking, training, uplifting, encouraging, and teaching others. As I mentioned earlier, now the world is my classroom! One day I called J.R. in between speaking engagements. “Hey, I gotta talk to you about something serious,” I said. “You got a minute?” “Yeah,” he said sounding concerned. “What’s up?” “I’m living my dreams,” I whispered. “How can I be like you?” he replied laughing. At this point on your journey, what you said to yourself in your affirmations becomes not just important, but evident. In another of Earth, Wind & Fire’s songs, they say, “Sounds never dissipate, they only recreate in another space

“Sounds never dissipate, they only recreate in another space and time.” -Earth, Wind & Fire

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Gratitude is the gateway to fulfillment.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary and time.” This means that your inner dialogue is not just psycho-babble. It is a creative force which manifest in your reality “in another space in time.” So when you were saying and thinking, “ I know that there’s more to life than this…I know I can do better, be better…I know I can have more, do more, be more…” All of these thoughts and words get honored at this stage. But please resist the temptation to respond with the cliché, “I can’t believe it!” When great things happen, I can believe it because I have always expected great things to happen! I have used several quotes from Earth, Wind & Fire throughout this book. As a youngster, I used to listen to their music because my brother, J.R., had all their albums. So from about the age of 6-10, I used to sit in his room for hours looking at the beautiful, mystical, magical artwork on their album covers while listening to the music. If you know anything about their album artwork, you know there was a heavy emphasis on ancient Egypt. Is it any wonder that thirty years later, I would find myself taking children and adults on a riveting and revealing 9-day trip throughout Egypt. We have cruised and sailed on the Nile, visit the Valley of the Kings, the pyramids, and the massive ancient temples. We have even take them on camel rides. Thanks to Helen and Ali Salahuddin’s African Genesis Institute Teen Summit 1000 Program this annual trip was a part of my magnificent manifestation for a number of years. It wass, in every way, a dream come true. The ability and opportunity to lead study tours overseas was expanded when I launched “Majesty of the Moors on Tour,” a powerful 11-day journey through Morocco, Spain and Senegal tracing the impact and influence of the Moors of west and north Africa in early Europe. However, as the universe begins to pour a steady stream of blessings your way, you will be in receipt of so many things that you never could have dreamed of. It will be 75

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary so overwhelming that in your private moments you will be filled with deep and abiding feelings of humility. There have been times after a great and abundant outpouring that all I could say deep within was, “Whoa! What just happened here? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Gratitude is the gateway to fulfillment. It would seem, in moments like this, that our journey has ended. We got what we wanted. But what you will see when you turn the page is that indeed, the journey is just beginning.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Chapter Six The Law of Meaningful Multiplication

Affirmation: “Multiplication leads to replication.”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Affirmation: “Multiplication leads to replication.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary You’ve finally got the car you’ve always wanted. It rides so smoothly. The leather hugs every contour of your body. The quiet hum of the engine is unmistakable. And look at the rims glisten under the glow of the sun. Feel the heartbeat bass and the crystal clear treble of the booming sound system. Can you smell that “new car smell?” Everyone should be so fortunate, right? And let’s not forget the house. Yeah. The plush front lawn and carefully trimmed hedges. The back deck with the barbeque grill overlooking the finely manicured landscape. The green of the trees gently swaying in the wind. Now let’s go inside. I particularly like the beautifully framed art and the distinct color scheme you chose for your walls, drapes, and furniture. And may I say that you have impeccable taste. Enjoy it. Enjoy it unapologetically and unashamedly. Enjoy every bit of it. And after you have imbibed deeply from the goblet of Magnificent Manifestation, you will be faced with a daunting question: “Now what?” Keep in mind some wise words that were once shared with me: “It is easier to obtain than to maintain.” Your powers of Meticulous Management must be sharpened considerably to maintain what you have created, not just for your benefit—but for the benefit of those you will go on to assist as they journey on their SuccessQuest! As a result of your journey, you now see mathematical patterns emerge that led to your success. Most people think that mathematics is just numbers. Hardly. My friend, Jahi Muhammad, once taught me that the definition of mathematics is “pattern recognition and symbol manipulation.” This dramatically altered the way I saw everything in life. Life has patterns that, once recognized and exploited, can lead to tremendous gain. This Law of Meaningful Multiplication also refers to the cyclical nature of things. The ancient teachings tell us, “To everything there is a season…” This informs us that there is seed time, cultivation, and harvest; a universal ebb and flow 79

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“With your new powers of pattern recognition and magnificent manifestation, you must now multiply your manifestations for the greatest good.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary of tides, a cosmic breath of inhalation and exhalation. Knowing this, we can then go forward with more certainty. Now that you have recognized the patterns in your particular field of expertise—and yes you are by now an expert in at least one field—you can create, predict, and capitalize on those patterns even more quickly. And even with greater certainty. Your reproductive capabilities increase exponentially. You now see cause and effect relationships that you didn’t see before. For me, it was recognizing the pattern for writing a book. I get a title, concept or an idea. Then I hash out the chapter headings. I have my graphic designer create a draft of a cover. I start visualizing, magnetizing, and writing. Before I know it, I have another book. Then there are products on the periphery of the book: CDs, DVDs, seminars, etc. I have done this so many times that it has become like breathing. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes my “breathing” is more labored than at other times. But I know the pattern. I can multiply it and replicate it (reproduce it) pretty much at will. Multiplication leads to replication helping me to maintain my magnificent manifestations. I almost failed my math classes in high school. I barely got by. However, I have come to see that I am mathematics! I see patterns within myself that, when replicated bring specific calculable results. Take a look at these patterns I noted on my journey: Desirable Patterns

Undesirable Patterns

I make daily deposits in my marriage and experience marital bliss. I save a little from everything that comes in and always have enough, plus more in store.

If I take my wife for granted, she gets irritable and feels unappreciated. If I spend everything I make, I seem to come up short and at the most inconvenient and inopportune times. 81

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary I bless my burdens and embrace my challenges as opportunities for growth. As a result, I overcome them time and time again. I consistently work out 5-6 times per week and experience optimal health and peak performance. I take massive action making phone calls, sending emails and outflowing information about my business and as a result, experience an inflow of income and opportunity.

If I fuss and complain about problems, problems are multiplied and magnified along with my frustrations. If I don’t work out, my energy and vitality wanes, I feel sluggish and out of shape. I sit around wondering why business is not going well, complaining and that money and opportunities are scarce. My complaints create a continuous flow of the same.

Do you see any patterns here that you have witnessed in your own life, whether desirable or undesirable? Noticing the pattern, you can now manipulate it to meet your desired ends. You are the variable in this equation. With all that you have gained and created, it’s wonderful isn’t it? But the question is, is it meaningful? What is success and all of its myriad magnificent manifestations other than an opportunity to serve at a higher level? Ahh…this is a most compelling question. Let’s revisit and re-examine the criteria for “meaningful”: It must benefit  Your Family  Your Community  Humanity Remember, it must be of benefit to all three, not one or two at the expense of the other. The bottom line is that if it does not benefit others, it is not meaningful. It is ultimately of no benefit at all. The best way to ensure that you meet the criteria of being meaningful is that you begin with this end in mind. 82

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Cast down your buckets where you are. Start with what you have.” -Booker T. Washington

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary So many people can tell you what they would do if they had x amount of dollars. But the reality is that we can tell what you would do with greater resources if we just look at what you’re doing with the resources you already have. I didn’t wait for a multi-million dollar contract from a major publishing house to pursue my passion for writing. Neither should you. I didn’t wait for a major speaker’s bureau or a lucrative honorarium to begin speaking. Neither should you. I didn’t wait for Don King to promote my speaking tour. Neither should you. Booker T. Washington said, “Cast down your buckets where you are.” In other words, start with what you’ve got. Use it wisely. Cultivate it. Watch it grow, expand, and multiply. With your new powers of pattern recognition and magnificent manifestation, you must now multiply your manifestations for the greatest good. You can now multiply resources, investments, and ideas…and use them to empower the people.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Chapter Seven The Law of Mystical Mastery

Affirmation: “I was meant for Mastery!”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Affirmation: “I was meant for Mastery!” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary We’ve seen the Masters. They walk with such an air of mystery. Heads turn. They don’t walk into a room, they glide and “enter.” While they are humble, they have such an air of greatness. We see them and ask ourselves, “How can I be like that?” Everyone says they want to be a master. Everyone says they want to be a millionaire. Everyone says they want a six-pack for abs. So many people would like to be a black belt in karate. Everybody would like to have perfect health and great relationships. We who identify with “We want mastery nothing less than the extraordinary must be committed in every area of our spiritually, to seeking Mastery. Nothing lives: less. Too many people are mentally, satisfied with “good.” I am emotionally, reminded of a wonderful song by physically, Martha Munizzi in which she financially, and sings, “I was created to make your praise glorious.” Your life generationally.” is a praise to the Creator. Make it glorious! The only way to do this is to seek mastery while maintaining humility. And we want mastery in every area of our lives: spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, and generationally. Ordinary people look at the Masters and get mad. I must confess, I used to be like this. I assumed that these great people must have done something evil or manipulative to amass their riches or to reach their station in life. Misery can’t reach mastery. Extraordinary people don’t look at the Masters and get mad, they look at the Masters and get a made up mind. If (s)he can do it, I can do it, too! So I stopped hating and started studying. I started studying to see what made these Masters the best at what they do.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“The lips of wisdom are sealed except to the ears of understanding.” -Djehuti Ancient Kemetic Scribe

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary But remember, we said the Masters walk with an air of such great mystery. But you should know that the word mystery does not mean “unknown.” The word mystery comes from the Greek word mysterion. The connotation is not that this body of knowledge is unknown, but that it is a body of knowledge that one must be initiated into. This is why in ancient times, when the Greeks came down into Kemet (Egypt) and studied from the Masters in the great temples, they called it the Egyptian Mystery System. The Greeks came to understand that you couldn’t just go in there and be given the knowledge. It was so profound, so complex and developmental that you had to be initiated into it through successive stages. Initiation is not cerebral, but experiential. The ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) Master Djehuti said, “The lips of wisdom are sealed except to the ears of understanding.” So if we show ourselves to be cultivators of understanding and insight, then the higher revelations become open and available to us. And here is the secret of the Masters. The Masters multiply people with a magnetic mind. They cultivate and build people to be Masters themselves. They’re constantly pouring into other people because they understand that their magnificent manifestations are only meaningful if they can multiply those things in others. So be mindful always to use your powers for the good of others. Dr. Myles Munroe has said, “There is no success without a successor.” Mastery is my history. Mastery is my identity. Mastery is my destiny. And therefore, mastery will be my legacy. I’ll even be a master in Eternity. I was made for mastery and I’m a master in the making. And so are you, because for extraordinary people, nothing but mastery will do. Dr. Charles Finch suggests, “If you want to know just how far we have fallen, go and stand at the base of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. Or go and stand in the great hypostyle hall at the Temple of Ipet isut (Karnak).” For it is then and there in 89

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“There is no success without a successor.” -Dr. Myles Munroe

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary the observance of these great monuments that we have been given a glimpse of glory. This I have done. And from this and other revelations I know that we are meant for mastery. You are already a master of these Seven Laws of the SuccessQuest. The evidence of this fact is the current state of affairs in the life you have created for yourself. Up to this point, your creation has often been unconscious. You can now begin to consciously create what you want without leaving anything to chance. Some of life’s greatest lessons cannot be explained. They must be experienced. You owe it to yourself to experience the very best life has to offer. And when you experience the best that life has to offer, there is a greater flowering and unfolding of the spirit. And you will begin this process all over again, with a deeper meditation of your mission, with a more compelling magnetic mind. All of this and more at a higher vibration, at a greater level of expression for the elevation of your family and community and the redemption of Humanity. And if you get the chance on your journey, go to Chattanooga, Tennessee and visit Ruby Falls. Ruby Falls is not a waterfall flowing from the side of a mountain, but from inside a mountain. Deep inside Lookout Mountain, over a mile beneath the surface, is a magnificent waterfall. It is 145 feet high. Our friends in the science community tell us that it has been pouring out over 100,000 gallons of water per day nonstop for over a million years. Yet with all of our technological proficiency, geological instruments, and academic sophistication, we cannot determine the source of this incredible wonder. And when I saw it, I had an instant awakening. That this waterfall is just like the creative force of the universe. You can search and search, but you cannot locate the source. It is always flowing. It is always abundant. It is never ending. While we don’t know it’s exact source, like Ruby Falls, it is within.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“Some of life’s greatest lessons cannot be explained. They must be experienced. You owe it to yourself to experience the very best life has to offer.” -Dr. Chike Akua

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary When you understand this, you will understand what James Baldwin meant when he said, “Our crowns have been bought and paid for. All we have to do is put them on our heads.”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary About Dr. Chike Akua Dr. Chike Akua has been called “an educational revolutionary.” He is one of the most sought after speakers at colleges, universities, educational conferences and K-12 schools. He is the founding organizer and executive director of the Teacher Transformation Institute, a standards-based, research-driven, best practices training conference for teachers. Dr. Akua is a leading authority on increasing the achievement of today's students, especially those that many teachers find most challenging. As a recognized master teacher, Dr. Akua has been an invited keynote presenter at regional and national conferences, school systems, colleges and universities. With a culturally relevant approach toward closing the achievement gap, he is known for his dynamic, interactive presentations to teachers, parents, and students. Mr. Akua has 14 years of teaching experience in Virginia and Georgia public school systems. In 1995, he was selected Teacher of the Year for Newport News Public Schools (VA) and was also selected as one of Ebony magazine’s “50 Leaders of Tomorrow.” A year later, in 1996, the Dekalb County Board of Education (Atlanta, Georgia) recognized him with the Excellence in Education Award for Service to Youth. Additionally, he has been an invited lecturer for undergraduate and graduate courses in teacher education at Georgia State University and Clark Atlanta University. Deeply committed to culturally relevant pedagogy and the development of culturally relevant instructional materials, Dr. Akua has written and published several books and parent/teacher guides designed for today’s students. His book, A Treasure Within: Stories of Remembrance and Rediscovery was nominated for the NAACP Image Award. Reading Revolution is his most recent publication (coauthored with Tavares Stephens). The books have been adopted by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice 94

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Regional Youth Detention Center and public schools around the country. Dr. Akua earned the Master of Arts degree in education with a concentration in school counseling from Clark Atlanta University and is a cum laude graduate of Hampton University where he earned the bachelor of arts degree in education (concentration in English Education). He earned a doctorate in Educational Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Dr. Akua is a committed volunteer with several youth mentoring and leadership academies and college preparatory camps for middle school and high school students. He has helped lead over 1000 students and parents on trips throughout Egypt and Ghana through the D’Zert Club’s Teen Summit 1000 program. Dr. Akua is frequently called upon by education, civic, and social organizations to speak about educational excellence and cultural knowledge.

To book Dr. Chike Akua for a conference keynote speech, Teacher Transformation! workshop, ParentPower! presentation, AfricanOrigins!, SexceptionalAbstinence! or SuccessQuest! presentation for students, email ChikeAkua@gmail.com or call 770-309-6664.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Are You Interested in Becoming a Paid Speaker?

Register for Dr. Chike Akua’s SuccessQuest Speakers Boot Camp You’ll Learn:  How to write a book in 30 days or less  How to develop your product line  How to market your services as a speaker  How to negotiate and secure contracts  How to make 500-5000 in a day (or more) For more information, log on to: www.BuyBlackMovement.com and click on “Events”

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Books, DVDs, and Posters by Dr. Chike Akua

Order books, posters, and DVDs at www.WhatDoesItMeanToBeBlack.com

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Honoring Our Ancestral Obligations: 7 Steps to Black Student Success By Chike Akua This book details what every young Black person should know about their obligation to carry on the rich tradition of cultural excellence that our Ancestors built. It deals with critical issues like education for liberation, identity restoration, life skills and career preparation, health and wellness considerations, restoring relationships, how to deal with the authorities and so much more. This book is transforming the lives of high school and college students (and those who work with them) across the country. Education for Transformation: The Keys to Releasing the Genius of African American Students By Chike Akua This book details African-centered and culturally relevant instructional strategies used with some of the most challenging students during Dr. Akua’s fourteen years as a public school teacher. It also documents the most promising practices of Master Teachers he has observed around the country. “Chike Akua has done a masterful job in his latest book, Education for Transformation. As one of his student’s wrote, ‘most teachers teach from the book, but you teach from the heart.’” -Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Author There’s Nothing Wrong With Black Students

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Black History Power Pak! By Chike Akua

The Black History Power Pak is a collection of 6 books by Chike Akua, 2 African Origins DVDs and a bonus DVD about how you can earn a FREE trip to Egypt. The Black History Power Pak is a wonderful way to supplement your current lessons because it is a curriculum of correction and inclusion. Use to it show your students the beauty of African and African American culture and contributions. Increase and improve reading comprehension, cultural awareness, and character development. For a description of each of the books and DVDs included, see the following pages.

SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Reading Revolution: Reconnecting the Roots By Chike Akua & Tavares Stephens

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A collection of 90 reading selections about African and African American people of extraordinary accomplishment. Use Reading Revolution to improve reading comprehension and cultural consciousness at the same time:  Standardized test format with multiple choice questions Topic, main idea, supporting details and sequencing Vocabulary development and context clues Making inferences and drawing conclusions

“Chike Akua and Tavares Stephens combine excellent teaching skills, deep knowledge of African history and culture, and, as master teachers, a real grasp of students’ interests and thinking. Reading Revolution is an outstanding product of this mixture, and hence a rare value for schools.” Asa G. Hilliard III-Nana Baffour Amankwatia II, Ed.D. Fuller E. Calloway Professor of Urban Education Georgia State University “At a time when teachers across the nation are struggling to find the delicate balance between curricular standards and meaningful content that students will readily identify with, Mr. Akua and Mr. Stephens have definitely hit the mark with Reading Revoltion.” Vonzia Phillips, Ph.D., Director of Premiere Middle Schools Dekalb County Schools Atlanta, GA

Chike Akua and Tavares Stephens have crafted a masterful publication which makes reading, vocabulary building and comprehension memorable learning experiences.” Anthony T. Browder, Author Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization

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SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary A Treasure Within: Stories of Remembrance & Rediscovery “What would it be like to meet an ancient African Ancestor? Marcus, Imani, and Daniel are about to find out! A treasure Within is a book of three short stories in which young people have encounters with ancient African ancestors to learn about traditional African morals, values, history, and culture. “A Treasure Within is the book that many of us have been waiting for. The deep thinking of Ancient African is grasped and communicated clearly through these three powerful stories. Families, counselors, teachers,, students, and the community, in general, can relate directly to these stories…I am thankful for this outstanding contribution to our mental and spiritual liberation. Our Ancestors are pleased. Amun is satisfied.” Asa G. Hilliard III – Nana Baffour Amankwatia II, Ed.D. Fuller E. Calloway Professor of Urban Education Georgia State University “Chike Akua, a master teacher, engages the reader with three compelling stories. His mastery of the written word intertwined with historical facts and cultural revelations invites the reader to be totally immersed. Readers of all ages will enjoy this literary rites of passage.” Phyllis Daniel Middle School Principal

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SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary A Treasure Within: Parent/Teacher Resource Guide This book is a complete companion curriculum to A Treasure Within: Stories of Remembrance & Rediscovery. It includes a wide range of activities to reinforce content objectives and develop character, cultural awareness, and commitment. “…for teachers and parents who believe that classrooms and homes are places where the child’s spirit is cultivated and soars, A Treasure Within: Stories of Remembrance & Rediscovery and the accompanying Parent/Teacher Resource Guide provides a path – a path to knowledge and understanding.” Leslie T. Fenwick, Ph.D. Professor Of Educational Policy, Clark Atlanta University Visiting Scholar, Harvard School of Education “A Treasure Within is a remarkable collection of stories with a broad appeal to all youth. The stories instruct, develop moral character, and entertain at the same time. The accompanying Parent/Teacher Resource Guide is a great and useful addition to this wonderful collection.” Dr. William Hammond, Reading Instruction Coordinator Dekalb County School, Atlanta, Georgia

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SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary A Kwanzaa Awakening: Lessons for the Community

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A Kwanzaa Awakening is a resource with activities for everyone. Parents, educators, and clergy will find activities for children K-12 and beyond. It includes:  A Brief History of Kwanzaa  Kwanzaa Classroom Activities (grades 6-12) Lessons for the Little Ones (K-5) A 3-act Play Worksheets and Puzzles Quiz and Test Coloring Activities Writing Activities Poetry Reading Comprehension Selections Kwanzaa in Christ: How to Celebrate Kwanzaa in the Church Kwanzaa and the Qu’ran: Islamic Expressions of the Seven Principles Glossary

“Through this book, Akua provides ways for us to value the lives of our children and ways to teach them who they are as children with a rich African heritage. This book…challenges us to train our children in ways that will affirm our past and secure our future.” James C. Anyike, M.Div. Author, African American Holidays

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SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Words of Power: Ancient Insights and Modern Messages for Parents, Teachers & Students By Chike Akua This book contains almost two hundred quotes and proverbs from African people and powerful people all over the world. Additionally it contains fill-in worksheets so that students can engage in a words of wisdom treasure hunt. Share the mother wit and wisdom that many of our children today are missing as you examine and interpret figurative language, simile and metaphor.

Sexceptional: The Ultimate and Essentail Teen Guide to Abstinence By Chike Akua Sexceptional is an adjective that describes “one who is willing to undertake the discipline, devotion, and determination to abstain from sexual activity until marriage.” It takes an exceptional person because there are many weapons of mass distraction and weapons of mass deception. We hear a lot about safe sex, but abstinence is, hands down, the safest alternative. But when abstinence is mentioned, oftentimes young people are not given the tools to make abstinence work. This book is a tool box of insights and strategies.

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SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary What Does It Mean To Be Black? DVD (Recorded LIVE!) By Chike Akua Chike Akua asks the quintessential question that requires a radical redefinition of Blackness. This dynamic and revealing DVD gives students an understanding of Africa’s contributions to reading and writing, language and literature, science and technology, math and medicine, and so much more! A picture is worth a thousand words and this DVD visually documents African excellence, achievement, and ingenuity—ancient and modern.

The African Origins Empowerment Pak By Chike Akua The package includes five African Origins DVDs which visually document the history of Africans from ancient times to the present. It also includes a BONUS CD of Chike Akua’s presentation at the Pan-African Student Leadership Conference and a copy of the book The African Origins of Our Faith.

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SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary Black History Poster Pak! By Chike Akua *Purchase the whole Pak for your school and get one FREE! These beautiful, full-size, color posters on the following pages are both inspirational and instructional. They are a wonderful addition to any classroom, office or living room. Developed and designed by awardwinning educator and author, Chike Akua, these posters are a rich resource for creating a culture of excellence and achievement in your classroom or school.

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SuccessQuest: The Journey From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Order books, posters, and DVDs at www.WhatDoesItMeanToBeBlack.com

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