Only in America, land of opportunity Can a poor boy like me Can a kid who's washing cars Take a giant step and reach right up and touch the stars. Adapted from lyrics to "Only in America" That may have been true in 1963 when this hit song recorded by Jay and the Americans was released. It has grown less true over time. And now in 2015, we are at a critical pivot point in terms of the futures of poor kids in America. What happens over the next decade will determine many of their fates … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
Frank’s most recent blogs are highlighted on this page. To read other blogs or articles by Frank, click on the categories or publications links on the left.
Profits Without Honor: The Sad Truth About CEO Compensation
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"(Mark 8:36). The answer: In terms of CEO compensation at major American businesses in the 21st century, everything. That's because in the corporate world today souls don't count. What does count is shareholder value. Or, put more bluntly, how that value can be manipulated to push executive pay into the stratosphere. William Lazonick, professor of economics of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, … [Read more...]
Frank Islam of US gives back $2 mn to alma mater Aligarh Muslim University – The Economic Times
WASHINGTON: He was born in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, shifted to the US when he was just 15 and now lives in a 40,000-square-foot mansion that has a five-bedroom guest house and a backyard tea house along with reflecting pools on nine acres in Potomac, Maryland, a house that took six years to build.After realising the American dream, Frank Islam, an India-born entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who is said to be worth $300 million, is now 'investing' in the education sector in both the land … [Read more...]
Mr. Islam remarks to For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology ( FIRST) winners
Good Afternoon Thank you for that kind introduction and thanks to all of you for the warm welcome and your hospitality. A sense of humility brings us together as a fellow technologists linked by common goals and common cause and bonded by shared commitments. As I look out those of you today, I see me in you. I see the future of America. I see the future of the world. I am thrilled and honored to be with you students who in the competitions over the past two days have proven that you are … [Read more...]
Mr. Islam remarks at Montgomery College
My name is Frank Islam, for whom the Frank Islam Athenaeum Symposia is named. One of the reasons that I am delighted to be the benefactor of the Frank Islam Athenaeum Symposia is that I greatly believe that learning takes place both in the classroom and out of the classroom. I know that in building my successful business, I learned skills to achieve success and make a profit through both my academic course work and my experience in the business world. Over the last four years, the Symposia has … [Read more...]
America’s Cities: An ‘Urban Crisis’ Ignored
Are America's major cities dying? The answer is yes, no and maybe depending on the city or where one looks within it. Many of our large cities are places where the infrastructure is decaying, neighborhoods are deteriorating, and hopes are dimming for a large number of citizens. Many of them are also places where each one tells a tale of two cities -- for the wealthy few it is the best of times, for those of lesser means it is the worst of times. Derek Thompson illustrates this … [Read more...]
Mr. Islam Remarks on Shema Khan
Remarks GIVEN BY FRANK F ISLAM ON SHEMA KHAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS Distinguished Guests, Friends, and Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for your kind introduction. Thank you for your hospitality and your warm welcome. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Badrul Khan for inviting me to speak on Shema Khan’s accomplishments. Shema please do not be overwhelmed as all the eyes are upon you. Enjoy the evening Shema and I have three things in common: we are both … [Read more...]
India and the United States: Interdependence in the 21st Century?
As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2015, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on what the future holds for India and the United States. The United States is the oldest and India is the largest democracy in the world. In our opinion, however, it is not the system of government they share or the size of their populations that matter. What matters are the common democratic values that bond them together and the potential economic and social synergy that can be realized by these … [Read more...]
Mr. Islam interview with Muslim Observer: Muslim faith is hijacked by those who practice radical Islam
Frank Fakhrul Islam, the proud recipient of Martin Luther King Jr. Award for 2015, was recently in India as part of the official U.S. delegation accompanying President Barack Obama during his visit to attend the Republic Day. Popularly called Frank Islam, the Azamgarh-born multifaceted and dynamic personality Mr. Islam is an Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Author, Civic Leader, and Thought Leader. He takes all these roles in his stride, acknowledges them to be daunting and challenging, and manages … [Read more...]
American Sniper and the American Psyche
Now that the Academy Awards are over and American Sniper was shot down in the best picture category by Birdman, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the movie -- not in terms of its quality, but in terms of what its overwhelming box office popularity says about us as Americans. American Sniper grossed $90 million in the states in its January 16 opening weekend of wide distribution. This was accomplished in what is normally a very slow month for movie attendance. By the time the Awards … [Read more...]