The mind is a very powerful, yet often fragile, aspect of success. For the past couple decades, native Harlemite Brother Ricky Young has utilized several platforms promoting PMA, which stands for positive mental attitude, and self-awareness. Whether hosting his weekly show on WHCR 90.3 FM or regularly moderating speaking seminars, he’s been on the front lines exposing the general public to motivational messages from some prominent lecturers.
“What’s In Your Hand? is a motivational program talking about success, achieving your goals, dreams, helping and maximizing others, and of course, having fun,” he stated before explaining that he began studying success principles and self-development during the early 1990s, and was also attending workshops and seminars during the same time. “And that’s how I started working on developing myself. Watching people talk about self-improvement.”
He has been researching self-development for many years, “trying to do good things in life.” He was inspired after watching Gil Noble’s “Like It Is” broadcast during the mid-1990s, which aired an Adam Clayton Powell Jr. speech titled “What’s In Your Hand?”
Additionally, a speech by TV journalist Les Brown served as a “powerful testimony to who he was, and that opened up a whole new world [for me],” Young vividly recalled, adding how he also came across George C. Frazier’s book “Success Runs In Our Race,” found Frazier’s phone number, and then called him. This led to his first live event at Harlem’s National Black Theatre during the mid-90s.
Then Herbert Harris and Robert E. Criner, author of “Sharing a Vision” and “How To Keep Yourself Motivated,” did their presentisms, with others soon following.
Rick began broadcasting at WHCR 90.3 FM on Nov. 4, 2007, and has recorded more than 1,000 shows covering various topics relevant to the Black community.
“‘What’s In Your Hand?’ It’s a great question, because it’s about what can you do?” he explains. “It’s about discovering what your talents, skills are, then using them.”
For personal development PMA, he also recommends Napoleon Hill’s “Think & Grow Rich.”
“What he’s saying is [that] riches come in many forms — health, family, life, etc. — not just money,” he concurs.
He also met Jim Rome, who suggested, “Whatever you’re interested in, make it a study.” As well as Wayne Dyer, Brian Tracy, who authored “Million Dollar Habits,” and Les Brown’s book “Fight For Your Dreams.”
“If more people are successful, then no one is hating. There’s no need to fight or be jealous,” he answered when asked why he shared this info so freely. “When you know the real principles, that’s one of the laws, sharing. These are universal laws. When you go to the ocean of abundance, then you’ll realize there’s enough for all of us.”
You can listen to Young on WHCR 90.3 FM on Fridays from 8-10 a.m. ET.