Griffin Speaks

THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR

In 1985, I lived in an efficiency apartment in Birmingham, Alabama. The apartment complex was named Ski Lodge III. One day I came home and met my new neighbor in the parking lot. I was hosting a Prepaid Legal Seminar and invited him to attend. He said that he could not accept the invitation, because he was in the middle of a trial.

My new neighbor was the busiest man in the complex. He never came over to my apartment, but was always very friendly. I could see something in him beyond the range of ordinary perception. I knew then that this man was destined to be great.

A year later, I moved to Selma, Alabama and started practicing law with Legal Services. I was renting Senator Hank Sanders’ guesthouse when I met our current Governor, Don Siegelman. He offered me a job as an Assistant Attorney General.

After much prayer and consultation with family and friends, I accepted Don’s offer. A few years later I attended the grand opening of “ROOTS AND WINGS”. As I stood in the parking lot listening to Dr. Joe Reed tell us that we needed to support the new African American bookstore, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was DONALD WATKINS.

Donald said, “Greg you have become so famous here in Montgomery you don’t remember me. I was a little startled, because I did know the legendary Donald Watkins. I said, “Donald what do you mean?” He said, “I was your neighbor in Birmingham. I thought for a moment and remembered that Donald was the busy young attorney that was my neighbor at Ski Lodge III. We laughed and talked for a few more moments.

A few days ago in the Montgomery Advertiser an article was published about Donald’s desire to purchase the Minnesota Twins. In that article it was estimated that Donald is currently worth 1.5 billion dollars. I had to hold back the tears. I was so proud of this African American man that had truly made it to the top. My former neighbor had become the richest African American in the world.

I believe that Donald will be successful in obtaining the team. He is a true winner. He is also one of the smartest men I have ever met. He has a razor sharp mind. He is extremely kind hearted and humble. However, you do not cross Donald Watkins. He will truly rip you to shreds.

My belief is that Donald will become the next national leader for African Americans. He will become the economic Martin Luther King Jr.We need to listen to our new leader when he takes the throne.

Donald’s family home is across the street from my home. I remember his father, Dr. Levi Watkins walking in our Haardt Estates neighborhood. I would often stop Dr. Watkins and engage him in conversation. He loved his new Lexus. I mean he really loved that Lexus.

Dr. Watkins passed before I could get to know him better. I really wanted to know how he raised such successful kids. Two sons are physicians, and his daughters include a technology researcher, a music teacher and a school principal. Many successful African Americans fail at raising successful kids.

It is common knowledge that Donald credits his parents for his success. He has also raised very successful children. I pray that he will write a book on How to Raise A Successful Child. I would purchase that book before I purchase his book on How to Become a Billionaire?

In addition to being a billionaire and the richest African American in the world, Donald’s most impressive kudo is: “He is the proud father of a Morehouse Man, Donald Watkins Jr. Yes!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles at www.greggriffin.com