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On October 23, LaFayette High School and Eastside-J.P. Powell STEAM Magnet School hosted Larry Thornton and his team from the “Why Not Win” Institute for an inspirational speaking event.

The team met with the LaFayette High School students for grades 9 through 12 in the morning and then headed over to the elementary and middle school students in grades 6 through 8 in the afternoon.

All LaFayette students from grades 6-12 were gifted a copy of one of Thornton’s books earlier this school year in August thanks to outside sponsorships.

Sponsors sent $4,492 for the donated books.

The goal of the program, according to a press release from the Chambers County School District, is to “develop individual excellence with leadership lessons from Thornton’s book, Why Not Win?”

Beginning in August, students reviewed the lessons from the book study in preparation for Thornton’s visit.

Thornton was the first African American man to own a McDonald’s franchise in Birmingham.

He also served on the board of directors of one of the country’s largest Coca-Cola bottling companies, served on First Commercial Bank’s board and was the first to be named president for the legendary The Club.

Thornton spoke about how he developed a personal strategy for resiliency and success that he could impart to the students of LaFayette as well.