This is Stephen A. Schwarzman’s story. In 2014 Steve was listed as the fifty third most wealthy person in the U.S.A. by Forbes Magazine, nevertheless it’s his significant success in the world of finance as well as his donations to non profit organizations that make this story something special. The Blackstone Group co-founder is inspiring and further proof that success can be gained by hard work and being truly dedicated to your job.
In 1985 Steve set up the Blackstone Group with Peter Peterson; at first it was a private-equity management and financial advice firm. These days the Blackstone Group is an industry giant boasting ventures as diversified as, for example, Graham Packaging and Allied Waste, to name only two. Having called Pennsylvania home for much of his young life, Steve Schwarzman went to school in the Abington School District. Then he went on to graduate from Yale University in 1969. Afterwards, he decided to advance his education at the influential Harvard Business School, graduating in 1972.
Once he had finished his time at college, Steve started his career in investment banking. Before reaching his 32nd birthday, Steve was already on the board. Steve doesn’t simply give of his time to a variety of not for profit organizations, but he has also served as a non-faculty professor at Yale. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in New York, NY.
And, to give back even more, he announced on March 11th, 2008 that he had contributed $100 million to the New York Public Library to help in funding their expansion. Steve also serves the library as a trustee. He followed up in 2013 with a $100 million donation for scholarships to China.
It is not a surprise that Stephen A. Schwarzman is acknowledged as one of America’s elite — Time Magazine in 2008 recognized him as one of the 100 most influential people on earth. His swift rise in the business and financial communities is surely miraculous, and no doubt his generosity has given America a one of a kind new standard to emulate themselves in future.
So the world awaits Steve’s next move. In summary, we see an individual who has taken the best advantage of each opportunity which came his way, yet in return he has at the same time made the best use of his wealth and status to better the lives of those around him.