MULTI-POTENTIALITE FEATURE OF THE MONTH

Clifton Harcum

From Baltimore, MD

Presently residing in Princess Anne, MD

Fight Songs are How I Got Over - The Roots; My Way - Frank Sinatra

Web/Social Media: 

chharcum@icloud.com, www.facebook.com/Mr.Ifucantbeatemjoinem

Clifton Harcum is a natural-born leader and a renowned author/public speaker who has dedicated his life to the achievement and advocacy of the downtrodden through coaching and community development.  He is determined to leave a legacy for his son and the next generation of men to follow.

STB: I'm really excited to feature you as the first male on my blog.  Let's begin where this journey all started for you.  What did you major in? 

CH: I received my BA in Sociology and my MSM in Nonprofit & Association Management. 

STB:  I majored in Sociology & Anthropology, as well.  It seems to be a common go-to for those of us interested in finding our place in the world, as young multi-potentialites.

STB: Are you currently working in that field? 

CH: Sort of. I lead and manage the Office of University Engagement and Lifelong Learning at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) which provides service and personal development opportunities for college students at the University. I collect and analyze data, write grants and I am currently conducting research in the areas of male college student retention and persistence strategies. I am not sure if I would call what I do as working in my field. I am a social scientist to a degree, but what I do is really self-propelled out of curiosity. I am curious about the impact of holistic development on individuals and how it affects their lives.

STB: Sounds to me like you are putting those stats courses to work...(smile).

Note: Since posting, Clifton Harcum has been appointed to the Princess Anne Planning & Zoning Commission!  Congratulations!

STB: What community service activities have you been involved with over the years? 

CH: I created the male initiative at UMES, named Men Achieving Dreams through Education (MADE) which engages UMES college males in service to community at- large via mentoring, tutoring and civic engagement. I founded an annual Thanksgiving food distribution which has provided thousands of families on the Eastern Shore meals over the past seven years. I am a volunteer firefighter and I also mentor youth and speak at various events providing success principles to youth.

STB: Wow, impressive!  It sounds like you have really made a positive impact on Princess Anne.

STB: What else do you like to do in your free time? 

CH: I enjoy reading, listening and watching personal/professional development materials, playing video games, traveling, listening to music, watching the news, anime, and spending time with my family and friends.  

STB: Do you have siblings? 

CH: Yes, a sister.   

STB: Is she a specialist, or multi-potentialite like you? 

CH: Not really, she loves teaching. She has always wanted to teach since we were kids and she has been doing that over the past 12 years.  She also received her Master’s degree as a Reading Specialist. So I would say that qualifies her as a specialist (smile)!

STB: Name one career you’ve always secretly wanted to pursue. 

CH: That is a hard question to answer, I never really wanted any specific career. My goal in life has been to be myself and get paid to do that. I actually am kind of doing that now. I am a social entrepreneur, community organizer, author, speaker, coach, and consultant. It probably sounds sort of crazy, but I want to do what I am doing for the rest of my life. I want to be a beacon of hope for the hopeless and inspire the downtrodden through my life’s story while providing a road map for personal success.

  

STB: That's an awesome mission!  From high school to now, what was your favorite job? 

CH:  Being the Program Coordinator for Male Student Success & Retention at UMES. I had so much creative freedom and I was able to learn so much about students and see how the program I created had a major impact on their lives and collegiate experience and I was paid really good money to do it. (laughs)  

STB: Well that's always a plus!  Who doesn't want to be paid well to do what they do best!

STB: What advice would you give to other multi-potentialites looking to make major career transitions? 

CH: I would tell them to fully understand what they want to do and why and set a goals and believe in themselves. Then once they have discovered their purpose they should trust and put their faith in God and believe that He will lead them to the right opportunity, but with that comes the understanding that they have to search for the opportunity as well, because faith without work is meaningless. It is also very important to stress the idea of developing a strong sense of fearlessness, humility and getting outside of their comfort zone. They can’t fear being rejected from jobs they may apply for, they have to be humble and seek assistance if needed and finally, they can’t only look for jobs in areas where they are comfortable. They have to be willing to develop their abilities and challenge their ideas of what they think they can and cannot do. 

STB: Faith is a big part of taking the steps necessary to truly be happy with what you do!  Thanks for sharing that perspective!  I salute you as a positive example of what a multipod can accomplish when they release fear, and pursue their goals, relentlessly!

Clifton's first book title featured here is so appropriate, as he is one of the most passionate brothers I've ever known.  He has a heart for service and for the betterment of not just himself, but also those around him.  When asked, what would you say your personal mantra is, Clifton replied, "I live by the creed: You are the illustrator of your future and the world is your canvas." Now how is that for "going the way your blood beats!"  He truly is a model multi-potentialite.