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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

“I think that diversity is key for the next American entrepreneurs. They want to be a part of this society where there is so much diversity they have to have people from all the experiences.”

People Thinking Want Next Keys Diversity Entrepreneur Inspirational Running This Society

Author:Russell Simmons

“There was a moment when I was watching Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in 'Badboys' that I felt, you know, inspired. I don't know if I was proud, because so many people do the work. Everyone's part of a team that develops over the years and gives people chances. There have been some good moments watching people develop.”

People Ifs Knows Giving Years Has Beens Moments Felt Chance Team Proud Inspired Good Moments

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

“You know, I love all kinds of activism. I certainly think blacks deserve to have something whether it is affirmative action or an opportunity that should be opened up to them. But at the same time I believe that people of color are not the only poor people in America and all over the world.”

People Thinking Knows World Should Believe Kind Action America Opportunity I Believe Poor Color Deserve Activism All Kinds Poor People Affirmative Action Affirmative

Author:Russell Simmons

“You just have to pay attention to what people need and what has not been done.”

People Needs Done Business Pay Attention Entrepreneur Pay Attention Successful Entrepreneurs

Author:Russell Simmons

“I don't believe that people create their own visions. Rather, I believe that visions are actually God's way of communicating with us.”

People Way Inspirational Believe I Believe Vision Don't Believe Communicate

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 know some people say "Keep your eyes on the prize," but I disagree. When your eyes are stuck on the prize, you're going to keep stumbling and crashing into things. If you really want to get ahead, you've got to keep your eyes focused on the path.”

People Ifs Knows Want Eye Path Focus Military Focused Stuck Prize Disagree Stumbling Get Ahead Eye On The Prize

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

“It is only through opening your hearts will you be able to see that by promoting freedom for all, you are unchaining yourself. I guess I'm an optimist. I have faith in people and our government ultimately to do the right thing. And to my brothers and sisters in California, I'm there with you every step of the way until that day comes...”

People Way Heart Government Able Steps Brother Gay Opening California Right Thing My Brother Have Faith Optimist Brothers And Sisters Promoting Gay Marriage Every Step Open Your Heart

Author:Russell Simmons

“What holds most people back isn't the quality of their ideas, but their lack of faith in themselves.”

People Inspirational Ideas Faith Quality Self Development Lack Of Faith

Author:Russell Simmons

“America, you know, they always separate people because of race. They've been able to convince, 'The niggers are coming.' You know, the diversity that America has is so special. It's starting to really become a cool thing for young people. Not only because there are more mixes of people, but because people are more open-minded about each other. So I think in the future, America has a great, great opportunity, and mostly because of hip-hop.”

People Thinking Knows Able America Young Opportunity Race Special Diversity Starting Hip Hop Hips Convince Hops Open Minded Great Opportunity Cool Things

Author:Russell Simmons

“I think people instinctively know that their job is to give service and that they are part of a community. It had a great impact on me when my father walked the picket lines and I walked with him during the civil rights movement.”

People Thinking Knows Giving Jobs Father Community Lines Rights Movement Impact Civil Rights Civil Rights Movement

Author:Russell Simmons

“The best defense for any group of people is what we do to defend other people.”

People Groups Defense Tolerance

Author:Russell Simmons

“You know, sometimes people never get to learn how successful they could have been because they give up too easily. If I've learned one thing in all my years in the business, it's that often things don't work out the way you want at first. But that doesn't mean you should give up.”

People Ifs Knows Way Want Giving Should Years Firsts Mean Has Beens Sometimes Success Business Successful One Thing Giving Up Work Out I've Learned Could Have Been

Author:Russell Simmons

“The world belongs to the people who say, 'I can'.”

People World I Can Confidence Positivity Belonging Positive People Decisiveness

Author:Russell Simmons

“People are murdering each other without any recourse... So we need to get in our communities and work from the inside out.”

People Needs Community Our Community Recourse

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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