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Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons Quotes

Business person

Born on October 4, 1957, Russell Simmons is a distinguished businessperson known for his success in the music, fashion, and entertainment industries. He co-founded Def Jam Recordings, which became a pioneering label in hip-hop music. Simmons has also made significant contributions to philanthropy, establishing the non-profit organization 'Hip-Hop Summit Action Network' to promote community awareness and drive social change. He is widely regarded as a key figure in the advancement of hip-hop culture.

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Famous Russell Simmons Quotes

“But rich or poor, black or white, none of us are entitled to anything.”

Black White Poor Rich Entitled Black Or White Rich Or Poor

Book:Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success

Source: Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success

“I just said let's get some poets on tv. And when they said that sounded unlikely, I made it worse. I said, no man, I want to put a bunch of black poets on stage, too. Some Latino poets who barely speak English and Asian poets who can't believe how discriminated against they are. It was luck nad being in the right place. I wasn't saying nothing somebody else wasn't saying but they wouldn't hear it from them.”

Men Want Believe Made Said Speak Black Stage Poet Tvs Luck Bunch Made It They Said Unlikely Asian Latino Right Place Speak English Saying Nothing

Author:Russell Simmons

“Black actors on the road, flying around the country working as poets. Those people are inspirations for millions of kids who write.”

People Writing Country Inspiration Kids Actors Black Millions Poet Flying

Author:Russell Simmons

“I ask everyone - white Hollywood and black Hollywood - to get outside of your comfort zone and make friends. That's where they're going to learn from each other, and that's where they're going to make better movies and make Hollywood a better place.”

Asks Black White Comfort Hollywood Zone Comfort Zone Better Place

Author:Russell Simmons

“My idea is to integrate black stars into mainstream stars. It hasn't been explored properly. That's what Im doing in Hollywood.”

Ideas Stars Black Hollywood Mainstream Integrating

Author:Russell Simmons

“I have a pilot called The Re-Education of Oliver Cooper starring the white kid from Project X where follows a black girl to a black university, like in Legally Blonde. I have so many fun projects.”

Kids Girl Fun Black White Projects University Pilots Blonde Black Girl

Author:Russell Simmons

“86% of its audience was made up of people of color. That tells you that the full potential of many black stars won't be realized until their audiences are fully integrated.”

People Made Stars Black Audience Color Integrated Full Potential

Author:Russell Simmons

“No one wants to sell to just 12% of the population for the entire length of their careers. It creates a difficult and less-profitable environment. But Hollywood has lived with that limiting mantra, and only a few black stars have managed to break through.”

Want Stars Difficult Black Careers Break Environment Hollywood Sells Population Length Profitable Mantras Break Through

Author:Russell Simmons

“[T]here's nobody Black in charge of anything in Hollywood.”

Black Hollywood

Author:Russell Simmons

“I think Hollywood is incredibly segregated. I've never seen any place like it. The gatekeepers who are the most progressive activists inspired to make the world better... they're better people, right? They're segregated. It's self segregated in some cases, but there's nobody Black in charge of anything in Hollywood.”

People Thinking World Self Black Cases Hollywood Inspired Progressive Activist Gatekeepers

Author:Russell Simmons

“You need Black [people] sometimes to understand things about Black culture.”

People Needs Sometimes Culture Black Black People Black Culture

Author:Russell Simmons

“When I started the diamond business, no black person, period, was in it to do what we're trying to do to change the industry. So I like to do things that I see clearly that are in my, you know, scope. And then, I had to figure how I get talented or smart business people around me to execute. That's what I have to do.”

People Knows Trying Persons Black Figures Industry Periods Smart Diamond Scope Black Person Smart Business

Author:Russell Simmons

About the Author

Born: October 4, 1957
Known for: Business person
Quotes: 289

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Books & Sources

Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and SuccessRelated source material

Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made SimpleRelated source material

Super Rich: A Guide to Having It AllRelated source material

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