01:28
Morris Reid Highlight
Morris Reid
Lobbyist
You never know where your road's going to take you, and you never know where your big break's gonna come from.
About Morris
- As someone who grew up poor, he never really saw the value of higher education, didn't plan on going to college.
- In high school, one of his friends was valedictorian, and he says that it's only because of him that he graduated and went to college.
- Immediately knew he wanted to graduate as quickly as possible, wanted to join the "real world."
- Started a PR firm while he was still in school to get a jump on his career; by chance, he ran Bill Clinton's campaign in Ohio.
- After President Clinton won, the campaign staff called him and said, we want you to come to Washington D.C. and work with us.
- He started using his networking connections to achieve his dream-to work for Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown.
- Was hired as Secretary Brown's personal aide; says that job was his big break and Brown became his biggest inspiration and mentor.
- Years ago, a brush with death gave him a new lease on life; says he now sees every day as a gift he wasn't even supposed to get.