Dr. Benjamin S. Carson Sr., M.D (1951-) is a noted and prominent children’s neurosurgeon and motivational speaker. He became the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital when he was just 33 years old.
Born and raised in inner-city Detroit, Dr. Carson credits his mother Sonya’s influence with much of his success. She performed domestic work to keep her family financially afloat. With only a third grade education herself, Sonya Carson prayed diligently for wisdom to help Ben and his older brother Curtis success in school. Many had given up on Ben, including himself, but his mother never did. She encouraged him to do better and reach higher for his dreams.
Vigorous studying and a thirst for knowledge enabled young Dr. Carson to graduate from high school with honors and gain admission to Yale University where he pursued a degree in Psychology. He then went onto medical school at the University of Michigan, where his interest shifted from psychiatry to neurosurgery.
He studied neurosurgery and at the young age of 33 became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. He is now known for his pioneering work in radical hemispherectomies — the removal of half the brain to help seizure patients — and as a specialist in the separation of cojoined (Siamese) twins.
Dr. Ben Carson is one of the most prominent doctors in the nation.
‘Think Big’ (click to purchase)
Carson also is a popular speaker who tells his own story to encourage young people to make the most of their abilities. He wrote the memoir Gifted Hands (1990) and the inspirational books Think Big (1992) and The Big Picture (1999).
Carson says the letters of “Think Big” stand for the following:
Talent:
Our Creator has endowed all of us not just with the ability to sing, dance or throw a ball, but with intellectual talent. Start getting in touch with that part of you that is intellectual and develop that, and think of careers that will allow you to use that.
Honesty:
If you lead a clean and honest life, you don’t put skeletons in the closet. If you put skeletons in the closet, they definitely will come back just when you don’t want to see them and ruin your life.
Insight:
It comes from people who have already gone where you’re trying to go. Learn from their triumphs and their mistakes.
Nice:
If you’re nice to people, then once they get over the suspicion of why you’re being nice, they will be nice to you.
Knowledge:
It makes you into a more valuable person. The more knowledge you have, the more people need you. It’s an interesting phenomenon, but when people need you, they pay you, so you’ll be okay in life.
Books:
They are the mechanism for obtaining knowledge, as opposed to television.
In-Depth Learning:
Learn for the sake of knowledge and understanding, rather than for the sake of impressing people or taking a test.
God:
Never get too big for Him.
Carson’s writing offers a unique perspective on priorities, race, society, success, and living out a life of faith in a complex and competitive world. He travels the world to share his knowledge and philosophy inspiring people of all ages and educational backgrounds to be and do their best. Dr. Benjamin Carson has dedicated his life (through example) to inspiring others to excel by using their aptitude and talents.
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Concrete Loop will post ‘Black History Spotlights’ featuring Black people who have made an impact on history every week. These features aren’t exclusive to ‘Black History Month,’ I just thought it was the perfect time to put them in rotation. Submissions are welcomed.
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THINK BIG SOUNDS GOOD TO ME
Omg when I was little…like 8-years-oldish, my mom had a couple books about him and she used to tell me and my brothers all about him and I used to go and read the books she had…and yeah. She really looked up to him (and I’m sure she still does).
Nice to c ma black ppl doing big things!
I’ve seen Dr. Ben Carson speak at a graduation… wonderful speaker and an example of what you can do with your mind and your talents… these are the heros our black boys need to look up to… not Kobe and Shaq
DR. BEN CARSON IS AMAZING. IM SO GLAD CL PROVIDES US WITH THESE WEEKLY BLACK HISTORY SPOTLIGHTS. GOOD JOB YALL
When I grow up I want to be just like you!!! He is truly an inspiration, and a representation that anything can be attainable if your motivation and sheer will is present.
It’s beyond coo too see such positivity as this ON CL!!! Being a young black woman trying to become a dentist it’s good to see such things too keep me motivated…now if i could just stay focused on this book an stop clicking on Concrete Loop my ass can be a doctor too I”M ADDICTED TO CL!!!!
When Brotha O wins 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,this Brotha should be the Surgeon General.
Good ish! Always uplifting to hear about other positive folks who normally wouldn’t get shine (even though they should).
Glad to see this one,i might pick this book up at the library,sometimes i feel down about where i want to be in life,and this might help me out a little.
Funny when something positive is posted, only post. But when it’s garbage like celebrity gossip you get a least a couple of pages. Where are peoples priorities?
I was thinking the same thing: Positivity reaps little response from people, but let us mention Jay Z and Beyonce getting married and everyone has some chatter to add. May our minds be renewed.
Anyhow, I always find inspiration in people like this. It (should) make u want to get up and DO SOMETHING….read something, apply for college, get a library card even–SOMETHING! So many people have paved the way for us to be successful BESIDES those in the entertainment medium. Granted, I understand this is mainly an entertainment site…and believe me, I enjoy being entertained; however, I have two halfs of a brain and gotta make sure neither side is being neglected.
Let’s get it together people. Your future is dependent upon the decisions you make today.
(and I step down from my soap box)
-Smith
Hey! I read his biography when I was a kid! Good to see he’s still doing big things…
DR. CARSON,..THE REASON I’M PRE-MED….*WIPES TEAR*
Think Big is an excellent book – Dr. Carson is phenomenal, and he’s so humble.
lol guy saidGET A LIBRARY CARD…its amazing how much people DONT HAVE ONE!!! i have 4 for 4 different cities. Toronto, mississauga, brampton, ajax, markham
BETTER BELIEVE IM IN ALL THOSE LIBRARIES…gettin my zane books and my omar tyree books.
i like his think big concept. the part about god spoke to me. too many people think they are too big too important for god…truth is YOUR NOT
my bad thats 5 for 5 different cities LOL
This was worth repaeting — again and again …
Talent:
“Our Creator has endowed all of us not just with the ability to sing, dance or throw a ball, but with intellectual talent. Start getting in touch with that part of you that is intellectual and develop that, and think of careers that will allow you to use that.”
THINK BIG…. READING EXPANDS THE MIND..
Hey CL you are amazing. I love the spotlight on an African American history maker like Dr. Carson. Keep it up! Lets makes Black History Month all year by spotting lighting not just the entertainment industry but all of those who we believe are history makers not dream takers!
the one has spoken. ready to VOTE!!!!
@ 11.
You hit the nail on the head. How many pages of comments did CL have on the whole Rihanna and Jay-Z gossip? And that something so inspiring and motivating has been posted, we only have 22 comments posted including mine. It’s a shame.
WTG Concreteloop! Yall are so on point. Angel and staff I commend you for standing apart from the rest and yall will be blessed tremendously for it! Thank you for not only entertaining the Black Blog Community but also educating. You all are setting a trend. Now lets see how many other Blogs begin to follow suit.
I may have to purchase Think Big. I love that Philosophy and I’ve been encouraging my children like this as well. Yes they are good in sports and have many gifts but I’m not trying to raise a thoroughbred athlete I want sports to be fun for my kids and show them that they can do WHATEVER they want as long as they apply themselves and put forth the effort.
Everywhere I go I ask black kids what they wanna be when they grow up. In the general for girls, it’s either a hairdresser or a nurse, For boys it;s either a rapper or a NFL/NBA/MLB athlete. I want every child to know that you can be WHATEVER you want. There are so many lucrative positions that you can hold in Life, You can be a successful Chef, paralegal, lawyer, Executives, Teacher/professor, Counselor, Writer, man there are soooo many possiblities. One person told me to do this. Think of the one thing that you could literally get out of bed and do without any problems. Something that is just passionate for you. Is it building hotrods or modek cars? become a Auto mechanic, is it reading IT mags, become a computer technician, is it decorating, become a designer, is it throwing together the perfect outfit that GRABS attention and sets trends, become a stylist. The possiblities are just………endless.
My dad has that book and I read it.Very inspiring!
Some just don’t care, but if they didn’t have Ipods, cell phones and little shit they be saying something.LOL, people sitting arguing if Rihanna grabbed or dragged old dude to the stage.Pathetic.
Now this is a good look. Nice snippet.
WOW I definitely want to get a copy of his book. Thanks for using him as a vessel.
i really need to read think big-i heard it’s very inspirational…
LMBO@ #7 Carmool!
You ain’t tellin nothing BUT the truth lol
I read his book and its a good book!
I’ve had the honor of hearing this wonderful man speak during a med/pre-med convention in Louisiana for the Student National Medical Association. I am glad that Concrete Loop decided to post this as I am trying to attain my medical degree (2nd year) that yes, fellow black people that we can think big and achieve anything we put our minds to other than thinking we are confined to the entertainment industry.
This is the type of stuff we should be focusing on. Black people who make a change
I love that guy and all that he stands for.
Big up to CL for throwing this info up on the site. Y’all should do this everyday of the year, and not just during Black History Month…
my aunt used to always talk about his books when i was younger (she was in college at the time). now she’s a prestigious family practice doctor in Chicago.
i know that his story personally inspired her because they had similar upbringings. i’m glad to see him featured here.
Womderful post, and think big is a very good read…..for those that do read ; )!
Great post, but that goes without saying!
And to add to what’s been said here earlier, I think as time goes on, stories like this will strike a bigger chord amongst the “Loopers” , and then you’ll notice more pages of comments.
Hell, look at what’s happening with the Dakar posts!
Keep up the goo work, guys.
“Good” work, that is!
What a lovely family he has.
I read Gifted Hands which is an awesome book by the way.
Hopefully CL will do a post on the Three Doctors. They are an inspiration to EVERYBODY.
They have a book called “The Pact” which I recommend for every inner city, man, boy and child to read. Yall thought Ben Carson was young when he became a doctor, wait until you read about these guys. They’ve been featured on Oprah as well. Young, beautiful, talented men, who all made a “pact” and became doctors. It’s truly an amazing story of their journey to success.
I love to see stories like this. I printed this out to give to my children to read so they should never give up on their dreams and goals. This is indeed refreshing to read and appreciate to show that we can achieve greatness.
A true legend and icon for our young Black children to look up to, not Jay-Z
They failed to mention above that Dr. Ben Carson was put in special ed. as a child and look at him now. It’s a damn shame that this post only has 39 comments, but the damn grammy posts received over 100!
He’s beyond inspirational!
Very inspirational post and maybe I need to pick up his book. It’s not always about quantity but quality so what this doesn’t have 100+ comments but I rather read these comments of positivity then post about Bey or Riri because 90% of them are people repeating the same negative bs and calling each other haters.
@ 42
Excellent point.
I am so happy, CL decided to highlight Dr. Carson. He is such an inspiration in my life. He’s the reason why I made it to medical school and will be graduating in a couple months. He’s my hero.
I read Gifted Hands when i was in high school and his story really inspired me. Dr. Ben Carson had so much motivation and endurance, i am truly happy for his success.
Dr. Ben Carson is an admirable, brilliant man. He is the kind of doctor that I aspire to be and his hard work and dedication should show anyone that it is possible to rise above circumstances and use the brain that you have to it fullest potential.
I’m gonna check his book out.
THIS IS A GOOD POST GUYS!
VERY SELF EMPOWERING
Great post, I’m going to Borders to get that book!
Wow. Sounds like a very inspirational man. I am definitely going to the library to cop his books. Good looking Concreteloop!
)
I read his autobiography when I was about 14 years old. Great book. His life wasn’t easy..in fact he was involved in darker side of life until he changed his life around. Great American Story!
This man is amazing! I’ve known of him for years. Saw him perform surgery on a little girl who had a brain tumor, on tv. It was such a touching story, unfortunately the girl later passed away.
Rest in peace to her.
i once did a report on him in elementary school. great guy
I love to see Black people in a positive light! Go BLUE!!!
Great Spot light
THANK YOU FOR A STORY THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE BLACK MEN IN PRISON! The prison activist story is getting tiresome.
my mom is a doctor in the same hospital as him! he’s a nice dude.
black ppl doin it big!
Excellente! That’s great. We need more examples of black men like this.
We were required to read Think Big my freshman year of college. The book was okay, not one of my favorites but not a total bore either. Good to see him still doing the damn thing.
I love how he’s not afraid to mention God as his foundation!
Is anyone else having the side of the page getting cut off?