Explorations in Black Leadership

Co-Directed by Phyllis Leffler & Julian Bond

Creating Future Leaders

BOND: What kind of leaders does contemporary society demand? How will future problems demand different leadership styles?

SELLERS: We have so many problems now that I think that the gamut is open, that we can — I mean, we can use a variety of leadership styles, whether or not you’re talking about global issues and what are we doing — what do we do with Israel? I mean, what we do with —

BOND: How can we create the most effective leaders for the future? Can you make leaders or do leaders have to sort of grow and become?

SELLERS: You can’t make a leader. I don’t think that that’s possible. But I do think that we can provide the resources and the outlets for persons who may have that in them to become better leaders. I think that we can teach people and we can help mold individuals. You have that leadership skill set coming along. I mean, you have that, but you just have to be molded and I think my life lessons have helped mold me. The scholarship I received at Morehouse and just the persons I was able to be around have helped mold me, so as long as you have those outlets and resources, I think you will have leaders that are prepared for the future. Now, am I the leader that will help, you know, remedy the conflict between Palestine and Israel? I don’t know. I doubt it, very seriously. Am I the leader that can get us out of Afghanistan? I’m not sure. Can I solve the problem in Georgia and Russia? I doubt it, but I do believe that I am the person that can help those who don’t have access in Bamberg, Barnwell, and Orangeburg County, gain access, and I am the leader. I believe that I am the leader that can move South Carolina out of the doldrums of poverty and missteps on the global and national forum to a future of prosperity. I do believe I can do that.