An “Actionaire” is someone who pursues his or her dreams with courage, confidence and bravado. Michael V. Roberts, chairman and CEO of The Roberts Companies, and STHM’s newest executive in residence, coined the term in his book, Action Has No Season, Secrets and Strategies to Gaining Wealth and Authority. More than 50 STHM students, faculty and administration had the opportunity to listen to this real life Actionaire and role model when he made his first visit to Philadelphia on Feb. 27, 2009.

Roberts is often referred to as the classic American entrepreneur. He was born into a middle class family in St. Louis and worked his way through college and law school, receiving his Juris Doctorate degree from St. Louis University in 1974. Over the past 35 years, Roberts has built a business empire that encompasses 76 companies in fields ranging from television and radio broadcasting, to real estate development, to tourism and hospitality management. He is considered to be one of the most successful and respected African-American business leaders of today, and has won numerous awards, including his most recent, the 2009 Trumpet Award for Business.

He provided STHM students with a one-on-one analysis of the hotel industry, and a motivational lecture on succeeding in business. “Every day you’re given 86,400 seconds. Identify who you are in the present moment and live every day to the fullest,” said Roberts. He advised students to be creative and have a vision about business in the future, illustrating the lesson with his own experiences in building forward-thinking wireless cell phone companies and green hotels.

The Hotel Indigo in St. Louis, Roberts’ newest hotel, opened three weeks after his presentation at Temple. Stressing the importance of hospitality, cleanliness and exceeding customer expectations, Roberts reminded students that “thinking outside the box” is a societal construct. “The system tries to tell you to do it the way its always been done,” he warned. “But you define yourself, don’t let others define you.” Roberts is a prime example of breaking the mold and rising above stereotypes. Remembering his roots, he uses his success to motivate students and give back to the St. Louis community.

Roberts’ book, Action Has No Season, Secrets and Strategies to Gaining Wealth and Authority, offers simple, yet practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to turn their business plans into reality. “Would you drive your cars looking in the rear view mirror?” he asked students. “No. Then don’t live your life that way.” He reminded STHM’s aspiring entrepreneurs to be strategic, creative, powerful and aggressive when following their visions, and to eliminate the fear of failure.

After the presentation, Roberts opened the floor to a question and answer session with students and signed copies of his book. “He had my attention the entire time, and inspired me to be more excited about my major and the future,” said Donna DiPaul, a freshman STHM major.

Greg DeShields, senior director of corporate relations for STHM, and Jeffrey Montague, assistant dean of STHM, were instrumental in bringing Roberts to Temple. DeShields coordinated the visit through Andy Ingraham, STHM board member and president and CEO of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD), of which Roberts is Chairman. NABHOOD’s mission In addition, Roberts and Montague are members of the same fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi. Both DeShields and Montague were eager for students to have the opportunity to learn from such a fearless visionary. “I think he really connects with young people,” said Montague. “He started with nothing, so it proves that anyone can do the same.”