Southern University gets ‘Rich’ lesson

Fox Rich, mother, wife, motivational speaker and ex-convict, spoke to the Southern University student body, faculty and staff on Nov. 16 in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.
“I feel Fox Rich is a bright, intelligent, beautiful woman who is an advocate for young men and women to grow in life to dynamic individuals, especially black people,” said Shermedria Smith, a junior elementary education major from Shreveport. “Fox Rich is a great mentor and speaker. Listen to her words, don’t just hear them. We [blacks] will rise to the occasion.”
The Shreveport native, always an oral performer and speaker in school and church, was born Sibil Fox. Several years ago, Fox served 12 years in prison for armed robbery and jury tampering. The convictions came after she and her husband, Glen Rich, robbed a bank after they lost financial backing for a clothing store.
“Sometimes good people make bad choices and this was definitely one of those times,” Rich said during the program.
Rich however turned a negative into a positive. While in prison, she uplifted fellow inmates through speeches and focused on “peace and love.” Now the past is behind her, she said, and she uses the same uplifting techniques with black college students and minorities in general. Rich said she could relate to college students in particular because she received Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration from Grambling State University.
Rich excited the audience by addressing the crowd with rap artist Game’s song Dreams playing in the background, while she burned incense and candles.
“Where my dreamers at,” Rich asked. “I am the realest of the 21st century and I have come to give you something to fill your spirit. It is time to come together and have a good time. I am going to take the old indoctrinated ways of thinking and switch it up a bit.”
Rich spoke on a variety of issues pertinent to blacks including, the black family, relationships, the roles of men and women, and self-esteem.
“Be comfortable with who you are. Nobody can compete with you,” Rich said. She encouraged group participation by telling the audience to yell, “I’m Black and I’m proud,” accompanied by James Brown in the background.
“You are powerful and beautiful and that is the reason for your being here,” Rich said.
Sitting on opposite sides of the room, Rich had personal messages for the men and women, addressing separately.
“You are so beautiful, powerful, and brilliant,” she said. “Other races are intimidated by you because you have the power to isolate an entire race of people. Recognize the power you are packing.”
In contrast, Rich told the female attendees, “Women, act professional at all times and stop giving men so much power. Anything worth having is work waiting and working for.”