Way of the Bootstrapper

Former Democratic congressman and pastor of one of America's largest, most prosperous churches, Floyd Flake inspires us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, turn obstacles into springboards, build stronger families and communities, and make our dreams come true.

Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake is the senior pastor of the more than 15,000-member Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens, and is also the president of Wilberforce Univeristy in Ohio. Flake is also the founder of the Allen Christian School, which he established with his wife, Rev. Elaine Flake. From 1986-1997, Flake served in the U.S. Congress, and is currently a commissioner on the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education and a member of the NYC 2012 Olympic Committee. A native of Houston, Texas, Dr. Flake holds a B.A. from Wilberforce University and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. Author of the best-selling The Way of the Bootstrapper: Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dreams (HarperSanFrancisco), Rev. Flake lives in Old Westbury, NY with his wife and four children.

Former U.S. Representative, Reverend Floyd Flake is the senior pastor of the 10,000-member Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Queens, New York. Under his direction the church has grown to include expansive commercial and residential development, a private school, and various commercial and social service enterprises that have made it one of the nation's most productive religious and urban development institutions. Because of this success, Allen A.M.E. is a national paradigm of church and non-profit efficiency and is the second largest African-American employer in New York City. In addition to his role at Allen A.M.E., Reverend Flake is also a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, an influential columnist for the New York Post, and a board member for the FannieMae Foundation.

Donna Marie Williams is the author of Black-Eyed Peas for the Soul and Sister Feel Good. She lives in Naperville, Illinois.