Ronnie L. Sturdivant
“Don’t Quit -- Don’t Ever Give Up”
From Small Town to Black Wall Street
Genesis
Ronnie Leon Sturdivant was born February 11, 1956 in Polkton, NC, a small town southeast of Charlotte, NC. His parents Andrew James “Jay” Sturdivant and Edna McClendon Sturdivant were both employees of Holly Farms in Monroe, NC. His father later became self-employed as a pulpwood hauler, inspiring young Sturdivant to follow in his footsteps as an entrepreneur. Together his parents raised 13 children, six boys and seven girls; Ronnie was the eighth child and the fifth son. The family was raised with lots of love and old-fashioned family values of hard work, independence, discipline and faith in God. These values would not only follow Sturdivant throughout his life but also later become part of his family values as well. Young Sturdivant graduated from Bowman High School in Wadesboro, NC and realized, with his parents’ assistance, that acquiring a college degree would ensure a better future for himself and his family.
In 1975, Sturdivant graduated from Durham College (formerly Durham Business College) in Durham, NC with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. He subsequently completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Data Communications at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham in 1978. He would remain a loyal supporter to both schools and made an effort to involve his teachers and classmates in his ventures. With an insatiable appetite for learning and growing, Sturdivant would, over the years, complete extensive training in sales, marketing, and real estate as well as training in entrepreneurship and public speaking, namely as a motivational speaker. He would also devote an enormous amount of time conducting workshops, seminars and programs designed to teach entrepreneurs, especially the young ones, on the art, science, and discipline of business.
Religious Affiliation
Having faith in the Almighty was a family value that carried Sturdivant throughout life. In 1977, he was added to the Cole Mill Road Church of Christ where he later married Dianne Riddick, his NCCU sweetheart, on September 8, 1979. Three years later, Sturdivant became a member of South Side Church of Christ, located in Durham. There he served as a faithful servant as a Song Leader, Bible Study Teacher and Financial Advisor.
Ronnie and Dianne were the proud parents of Juan Chambers, Jonathan Sturdivant, and Krystal Sturdivant all of Durham, NC. The entire family would inherit Ronnie’s work ethics and regularly worked in the family business.
Early Years
From his early arrival in Durham at the age of 18, Sturdivant was always impressed with the number of black-owned businesses such as North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Mechanics and Farmers Bank, barber shops, beauty salons, restaurants, realtors and held the dream of one day joining their ranks. “I was in awe,” he recalled of seeing so many African-American entrepreneurs. These images left an indelible impression and became one of the primary motivating factors for his life’s journey as an entrepreneur and mentor for so many others.
Shortly after college, Sturdivant became a sales representative for the Dudley Products where he met Joe Dudley, Sr., one of the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs who became one of his life-long mentors.
In 1980, he became an independent contractor with the A.L. Williams Insurance Company where he rose through the ranks, becoming regional vice president within six years. He would later attribute much of his business acumen to the principles he learned while working at A.L. Williams. During this period, Sturdivant began successfully investing in real estate, and in 1986 he resigned from A.L. Williams to pursue his real estate interests. Over the next seven years, he acquired more than 30 single family dwellings.
Vision Becomes a Reality
The following year, Sturdivant established Temporary Quarters on West Chapel Hill Street, a parent company that developed a concept for providing affordable housing for a growing market of transitional workers and families. This venture, however, did not come without controversy. In 1993, Sturdivant gained notoriety when, angered that Durham city officials were trying to block his purchase of the Temporary Quarters Residential Inn downtown, he climbed on top of the roof with a bullhorn, held rallies for five days, and protested the city’s action. Succeeding in his effort, in 1994 Temporary Quarters was named regional “Minority Service Firm of the Year” by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency’s regional office in Atlanta, GA.
One year later at 39 years old, he became part of Durham’s revitalization when he purchased the TQ Business Complex on Corcoran Street. The prime real estate encompasses essentially half of a city block in the heart of the downtown business district and includes a 48-room motel, office space and a parking garage. His plan to become a successful entrepreneur was gradually becoming a reality. With the slogans of “We’re Here to Do Business” and “Building a Metropolis, One Business At a Time”, Sturdivant criss-crossed the state and travelled extensively throughout the eastern and southern seaboard while sharing his knowledge and expertise with others. Regardless of his hectic workload and busy travel schedule, he always took the time to mentor others. With role models such as his father and older brothers, Sturdivant cited other prominent business figures such as Reginald Lewis, Donald Trump, Mohammed Ali, and Oprah Winfrey as influences in his life.
Accomplishments and Achievements
Sturdivant was highly sought after as a guest speaker and was widely-showcased in electronic and print media for his entrepreneur talents and community activism. He was widely-recognized and the recipient of numerous awards, including:
· The Business of the Month award from the National Independent Business Association, Inc.
· The Minority Business of the Year Award from Raleigh/Durham Minority Business Development Council.
· The Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the National Independent Business Association, Inc.
· The Trendsetters Award, from Coopers and LyBrand, L.L. P.
· Outstanding Community Service Award from the Establishment for Economic Equality, Inc.
· Positive Image Award from the Pee Dee Newspaper Group.
· The Twenty Five People to Watch in the Triangle from the News and Observer Newspaper.
Being an entrepreneur and motivational speaker was just part of Sturdivant’s vast accomplishments. He also authored numerous articles and in 2008, Sturdivant authored the book “God’s Plan for Debt Free Living”. The book reveals the reason that we should live a debt free life and that it was God’s plan for people to live a healthy, happy and prosperous life.
Always willing to try something new, Sturdivant successfully hosted notable individuals such as the Chuck Davis Dancers as well as international dignitaries which included world-class Olympians such as Mal Whitfield, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Mureithi Muriuki, an Olympian from Kenya, along with scores of other dignitaries. In addition, in 1996 he hosted the Business Leadership Conference, attracting business leaders from across the nation Thomas Flewellyn, Director of Minority Business Relations, Walt Disney World Resort, Dr. Arthur Fletcher, Advisor to five U.S. Presidents, Linda Davis, CEO, Dynamic People, and Attorney Willie Gary, to name a few.
Revelations
Known for his visionary qualities, unyielding determination and business acumen, Sturdivant’s charismatic smile, energetic and passionate work ethics inspired people of all walks of life. Sturdivant was full-of life and possessed an uncanny ability to attract people to pursue a way of life that was self empowering and self-fulfilling. He always believed that “by viewing our business in action, the hopes and aspirations of these entrepreneurs will flourish into prosperity.” “… One must however stay focused on your goal, while consistently working to achieve them and recognize that all jobs and employees are critical to the success of any business.” It was these principles and beliefs that catapulted the small town dreamer who started out cutting pulpwood in rural Polkton into realizing his dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
His mantra “Don’t Quit -- Don’t Ever Give Up” epitomized his values and philosophy on life. He held steadfast to his values and will be missed enormously by all those whose lives he touched.
In Memoriam
Contributions to the Ronnie Sturdivant Memorial Education Fund can be sent to:
212 N. Corcoran Street
Durham, NC 27701
www.ronniesturdivant.com
