Robert Pipkin
Ph.D
AZ, USI have a proven track record of making a difference in the lives of other by sharing "The Power of "U." Self- doubt, fear of failure and low self-esteem prevented me from achieving success in my life.
As the founder and CEO/President of R.A.L Associates LLC, my reputation as an inspirational motivational speaker conducting thousands of presentations on fostering hope and encouraging a never give up attitude while sharing my personal message on "The Power of "U." has been welcomed. For my groundbreaking work in the field of education reform, I have been written up in USATODAY, the New York Times and many other national and local publications.
I'd like to think my own personal story is a compelling testimony that touches a common thread with anyone who hears it. I know it has because of the responses I've received over the years from individuals who have heard me speak. After listening to me talk they validate what I experienced as a young man growing up as an athlete in a small steel town and telling me they have experienced something similar. You see, as a young man I was also a disengaged youth who graduated from high school thinking I was academically challenged. The facts were, I was at the bottom of my high school class of over 400 students and considered "least likely to succeed" by my teachers and classmates. I have a number basketball scholarship offers to me, but my academics grades prevented me from attending a four-year college. I was finally accepted into a community college on probation. The bar was set really low for me not because I could not do the work but because there was no expectation! The "dumb jock" syndrome was in full force. My parents only had a fifth-grade education, and they were not sure how to help me. When my family arrived in Pennsylvania from Mississippi, I was two years old, and our family of nine people lived in a two-room apartment.
Hearing what happen to me touches others who too were left without hope and feeling they could never change their circumstances. But, my story has a happy ending because in my journey as the first person in my family to graduate from college, I set the example for other family members to follow. In the end, I found support from a few individuals who told me I mattered and it caused me to believe in myself and changed my despair into hope which led me to be an example for future generations in my family.
After high school I signed a professional basketball contract, played professional basketball in Europe and was Honorably Discharged after serving in the U.S. Army. My academic achievements are many and include a Associate and Bachelors in Education, Masters in Education Administration, Superintendent Certificate and a Ph.D. in Education Administration. I enjoyed a very distinguished career in education as a teacher where I began as a school Librarian, and went on to hold positions as a principal, school administrator and college professor for over 30 years until retirement at the age of 52.
In addition, I believe to whom much is given, much is expected and so I served my community in many capacities to impact change and make the world a better place. My service includes: Board Chair of Aliquippa Hospital, Board Member of National Parents & Teachers Association (PTA), Sewickley, Pennsylvania Community Center "Man of the Year", and Nominated for Principal and College Professor of the Year. I was honored by the City of Tempe, Arizona with the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Diversity Award in the area of education in 20018. In 2019, I received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Arizona Job Corps and in February 2019 was selected to attend the 65th annual U.S. Army War College (USAWC) National Security Seminar in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in June 2019. The year 2021 provided me the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for the Salvation in South Mountain that ended in 2023. Beginning in 2022, I was appointed by the former Goodyear, AZ Police Chief, Jimmy Rodriguez as a member of CAN (Community Action Network) with the Goodyear Police Department.
I am not sharing these things about myself to impress you, but to impress upon you that what people say about you does not have to become your reality. I decided a long time ago to become that loud voice telling anyone who would listen that they have a gift inside of them just waiting to be natured and used for good. You just need to believe in you, and so I created a message entitled "The Power of "U" Fortunately, I know I have much to share with everyone, those who believe they can and those who believe they can't. If I can do it so can they. It only takes one person's encouraging words to help put you on a path to greatness!
One of my greatest gifts is connecting with disengaged individuals who know up close and personal the consequences of not living up to your fullest potential. But, I am proof with a changed mindset and a new sense of direction on a plan to "get out" you can change the course of your family for generations. By sharing my own story with others it allows an open and honest dialogue with the goal of helping individuals move toward a path of greatness in a supportive and engaging environment.
Live Inspired,
Bob
As the founder and CEO/President of R.A.L Associates LLC, my reputation as an inspirational motivational speaker conducting thousands of presentations on fostering hope and encouraging a never give up attitude while sharing my personal message on "The Power of "U." has been welcomed. For my groundbreaking work in the field of education reform, I have been written up in USATODAY, the New York Times and many other national and local publications.
I'd like to think my own personal story is a compelling testimony that touches a common thread with anyone who hears it. I know it has because of the responses I've received over the years from individuals who have heard me speak. After listening to me talk they validate what I experienced as a young man growing up as an athlete in a small steel town and telling me they have experienced something similar. You see, as a young man I was also a disengaged youth who graduated from high school thinking I was academically challenged. The facts were, I was at the bottom of my high school class of over 400 students and considered "least likely to succeed" by my teachers and classmates. I have a number basketball scholarship offers to me, but my academics grades prevented me from attending a four-year college. I was finally accepted into a community college on probation. The bar was set really low for me not because I could not do the work but because there was no expectation! The "dumb jock" syndrome was in full force. My parents only had a fifth-grade education, and they were not sure how to help me. When my family arrived in Pennsylvania from Mississippi, I was two years old, and our family of nine people lived in a two-room apartment.
Hearing what happen to me touches others who too were left without hope and feeling they could never change their circumstances. But, my story has a happy ending because in my journey as the first person in my family to graduate from college, I set the example for other family members to follow. In the end, I found support from a few individuals who told me I mattered and it caused me to believe in myself and changed my despair into hope which led me to be an example for future generations in my family.
After high school I signed a professional basketball contract, played professional basketball in Europe and was Honorably Discharged after serving in the U.S. Army. My academic achievements are many and include a Associate and Bachelors in Education, Masters in Education Administration, Superintendent Certificate and a Ph.D. in Education Administration. I enjoyed a very distinguished career in education as a teacher where I began as a school Librarian, and went on to hold positions as a principal, school administrator and college professor for over 30 years until retirement at the age of 52.
In addition, I believe to whom much is given, much is expected and so I served my community in many capacities to impact change and make the world a better place. My service includes: Board Chair of Aliquippa Hospital, Board Member of National Parents & Teachers Association (PTA), Sewickley, Pennsylvania Community Center "Man of the Year", and Nominated for Principal and College Professor of the Year. I was honored by the City of Tempe, Arizona with the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Diversity Award in the area of education in 20018. In 2019, I received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Arizona Job Corps and in February 2019 was selected to attend the 65th annual U.S. Army War College (USAWC) National Security Seminar in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in June 2019. The year 2021 provided me the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for the Salvation in South Mountain that ended in 2023. Beginning in 2022, I was appointed by the former Goodyear, AZ Police Chief, Jimmy Rodriguez as a member of CAN (Community Action Network) with the Goodyear Police Department.
I am not sharing these things about myself to impress you, but to impress upon you that what people say about you does not have to become your reality. I decided a long time ago to become that loud voice telling anyone who would listen that they have a gift inside of them just waiting to be natured and used for good. You just need to believe in you, and so I created a message entitled "The Power of "U" Fortunately, I know I have much to share with everyone, those who believe they can and those who believe they can't. If I can do it so can they. It only takes one person's encouraging words to help put you on a path to greatness!
One of my greatest gifts is connecting with disengaged individuals who know up close and personal the consequences of not living up to your fullest potential. But, I am proof with a changed mindset and a new sense of direction on a plan to "get out" you can change the course of your family for generations. By sharing my own story with others it allows an open and honest dialogue with the goal of helping individuals move toward a path of greatness in a supportive and engaging environment.
Live Inspired,
Bob
The Power of "U"
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