League of EXTRAordinary Black Men: Paul Wilson Jr.

Don’t let anybody put you in a box defined by their expectations. It’s never too early to start pursuing your dreams. ~Paul Wilson Jr.

TheBlackManCan would like to introduce you to its next EXTRAordinary Black Man. Meet the individual who is “Igniting exponential ideas to create extraordinary lives!” Introducing Marketplace Minister, Author and Speaker Paul Wilson Jr. TheBlackManCan has the opportunity to speak with Paul about  his many expertise including Marketplace Ministry, Youth Development, Entrepreneurship and how that all comes together so people can “Dream! Live! Thrive!”

TheBlackManCan: Paul, you have been deemed the “Dream Catalyst.” How did you become the “Dream Catalyst” and what does this title entail?

PWJ: A Dream Catalyst is one who provides ideas, insights, and inspiration to others to help them activate their dreams and pursue their life purpose. I am passionate and committed to doing this for others because I want to see people live up to their God-given potential.

TheBlackManCan: How important is it for people to fuse their purpose-driven, spiritual life with their professional career goals?

PWJ: We spend so much time working that it doesn’t make sense to be miserable or less than fulfilled for such a large percentage of our lives. When we truly understand who we are, including our personality, passions, and professional skills, we can better align our calling with our career choices. This also helps to ensure that we have the right motivations for the job and business opportunities that we seek. Fulfillment won’t come from the work or the money. It will only come from knowing that you are doing what you were created to do, are passionate about, and doing it with excellence. That fact that you get paid to do it is the cherry on top!

TheBlackManCan: What are some international endeavors that you have spearheaded through your organization?

PWJ: A few years ago I had an opportunity to go on a church-planting missions trip to Rwanda. It was a life-changing experience – spiritually and naturally. I met so many incredible Rwandans and others who have a passion for improving their country. I left there with a strong sense of wanting to bring back spiritual and economic solutions. Right now I am working to bring faith-based entrepreneurship training curriculum to use as a tool for personal economic empowerment. I know we still have problems in the U.S., but I feel really compelled to travel, work, and serve globally.

TheBlackManCan: In your latest book, Dream B.I.G. in 3D: How to Pursue a Bold, Innovative, God-Inspired Life!, you motivate readers to uncover their buried inventory of gifts, talents and strengths in an effort to live more abundantly. How important is it for people to align their purpose, passion and professional skills with God’s ultimate plan?

PWJ: The Bible teaches us that God’s ultimate plan for us is to prosper us – as He defines eternal prosperity. The Bible also says that God has given us everything we need for life in godliness. Everything God has given us, including our personality, passions, talents, and skills, are to be used to bring Him glory and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Success is what you do to achieve your goals. Significance is what you do to equip, motivate, and position others to achieve their goals. ~Paul Wilson Jr.

TheBlackManCan: You are currently the author for two blogs: “Passion in Action” and “Biznovations.net.” Could you tell us more about the content that you address in these blogs?

PWJ: Biznovations.net provides spiritual inspiration and practical advice on developing and operating a purpose-driven, community-focused business. Passion in Action was created as an extension of my book, to provide spiritual inspiration and practical advice on how to live a bold, innovative, God-inspired life. Recently, combined both blogs and now I just write about both topics on Passion in Action.

TheBlackManCan: You are the founder of “3hrive Marketplace Ministry,” which is a foundation that teaches the skill of leveraging one’s God-given abilities in entrepreneurship and employment. What is the mission and vision for this organization? What defines a “marketplace ministry”?

PWJ: Surveys reveal that 90% of Christians feel they are not being trained for their calling in the workplace through the local church. I also find that many people don’t see how their talents, abilities, and passions fit into traditional church/ministry settings. The mission of 3hrive Marketplace Ministry is to equip Christian catalysts for marketplace influence. This will allow Christians to find and fulfill their calling outside the four walls of the church, in order to expand God’s Kingdom and bring effective, spiritually-based, practically-executed solutions to society’s most challenging issues.

TheBlackManCan: On Thursdays at 5pm EST, you host a live television show, “Passion in Action,” on www.InternetFabulous.tv. What is the platform for this television show? How would one become featured on the show? How does the use of ComF5 foster relationships among those that watch your show?

PWJ: Passion in Action is a live Internet TV show that I use to recognize and highlight entrepreneurs, community leaders, and everyday heroes who are having a positive impact in the world by living their passion. When I invite guests to the show, I use it as a time of encouragement and practical teaching to help others get their dreams in motion and put their passion in action. ComF5 is an excellent technology platform for the show, because it allows for engagement from our Internet audience during the show. It also allows us to archive it on the Internet so people can watch on demand at their convenience. If someone is interested in becoming a guest on my show, just go to http://tv.paulwilsonjr.com and complete the guest submission form.

TheBlackManCan: What can entrepreneurs expect from a customizable Dream Lab workshop?

PWJ: Energy, imagination, and practical solutions. I’m not about creating cookie-cutter recipes for success. Every entrepreneur is unique, which also means every business is unique. My goal to help each entrepreneur identify what’s best about them and their business, find their unique niche, and then maximize that.

TheBlackManCan: In your workshops with the youth, you emphasize the difference between success and significance. What is the difference and how important is it that our youth learns this important lesson?

PWJ: Success is what you do to achieve your goals. Significance is what you do to equip, motivate, and position others to achieve their goals. If we chase success, we may never get to significance. If we chase significance, we’ll pass success along the way.

TheBlackManCan: Historically, it has been taboo to mix religion in a business setting. Since you provide faith-based business coaching, have to had to overcome some nay-sayers? Do you ever have problems with audience receptiveness to your message that may not be from a Christian background?

PWJ: There are definitely people who believe business and faith don’t mix or that you should keep your faith undercover if you are a Christian in a work environment. I used to worry about how I would be perceived in the business world if I interjected too much of my faith into what I do. But I finally had to realize this is just who I am and those who don’t want to hear what I have to say aren’t the people I’m targeting. There are millions of people in the world who want to better understand how to strategically and effectively incorporate their faith into their work. Those are the people that my message is crafted for.

TheBlackManCan: What words of inspiration would you like to share with the youth of today?

PWJ: Don’t let anybody put you in a box defined by their expectations. It’s never too early to start pursuing your dreams. The impossible is possible for you when you align their passions, purpose, and giftedness with God’s plan for your life.

Our mission is to actively promote a positive black male image. Welcome to the Spotlight: League of EXTRAordinary Black Men. Here, we spotlight black men weekly who are having a positive impact in communities across the country. These men are actively promoting a positive black male image each and every day. If you know a man that should be spotlighted please send an email to theblackmancan@gmail.com In that email please state who you are and why you are nominating this individual. Please leave your contact information and the contact information of the individual you are nominating.