Vernon Jordan Quotes

United States, Businessperson
August 15, 1935 – March, 1, 2021.

Vernon Eulion Jordan Jr. was an American business executive and civil rights activist in the United States. A leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement, he was chosen by President Bill Clinton as a close adviser. Jordan has become known as an influential figure in American politics.

Also known as Lawyer, Activist, Politician

What I know about this world is that white people will take care of themselves. And what I have learned is that if you are where they are on an equal basis, they cannot take care of themselves without taking care of you.

Vernon Jordan
- People
- World
- Care
A lot of companies make diversity a part of the performance goals against which an executive gets paid. Just as you have to make a certain sales number, you have to make a diversity number to get your bonus.

Vernon Jordan
- Goals
- Diversity
- Sales

But there will come a time and a place to give back, and each individual will recognize that time and place.

Vernon Jordan
- Time
- Place
- Individual
The last job I applied for was to be a bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority in 1957.

Vernon Jordan
- Job
- Chicago
- Bus
I had a sense of what leadership meant and what it could do for you. So am I surprised that I am sitting up here on the 62nd floor of Rockefeller Plaza? No.

Vernon Jordan
- Leadership
- Rockefeller Plaza
I'm here because I stand on many, many shoulders, and that's true of every black person I know who has achieved.

Vernon Jordan
- True
- Black
- Know
You have to be careful how you're using the word boycott.

Vernon Jordan
- You
- Word
- Be Careful
My mother was the president of the PTA at every school I attended.

Vernon Jordan
- School
- Mother
- President

September 11 stands on its own as a terrible tragedy.

Vernon Jordan
- Own
- Tragedy
- September
Terrorism is not new to black people.

Vernon Jordan
- People
- Black
- Terrorism
Every company, every boardroom in which I sit, has a plan, and they have objectives, goals, and a process. And to make it work, the pressure and incentive have to come from the top.

Vernon Jordan
- Work
- Goals
- Process