By Keon Edington / Jambar Contributor
Tennis player Venus Williams spoke to a crowd of over 1,000 at 7 p.m Oct. 23 at Youngstown State Unversity’s Beeghly Center.
As a part of YSU’s lecture series, presented by the Thomas Colloquium on Free Enterprise, the event was held inside Beeghly Center. The crowd was comprised of the YSU women’s and men’s tennis teams, VIP guests and community members.
Williams opened the lecture talking about her new book “Strive: 8 Steps to be Awesome,” which focuses on eight ways to turn choices into habits.
“It was amazing. I’ve spent so much time in this world learning a lot of lessons, a lot of knowledge I’d like to pass on,” Williams said.
When talking about her switch to entrepreneurship, Williams said starting a career wasn’t an easy endeavor.
“The first step is always the hardest,” Williams said. “If you’re afraid you have to ask yourself ‘What decision I would make if I weren’t afraid,’ and that’s the decision you need to make.”
While talking about her book, Williams gave tips for those fearful of starting their own careers.
“We are who we tell ourselves, if we allow ourselves to be afraid and let that be our leader, then we’ll get the results of fear,” Williams said. “It’s about framing that fear in a different way.”
Williams also shared that she and sister, Serena Williams, are the first African American female minority owners of any National Football League team. They acquired the Miami Dolphins in 2009.
Williams says she loves football and track and field, as much as tennis.
“I’m a huge football fan. I love seeing those guys on the field,” Williams said. “Sports is such a big teacher, you become confident and strong.”
Later in the lecture, the conversation shifted to a topic relevant to all students, the world of artificial intelligence.
Williams said AI will continue to evolve and has impacted her design business.
“AI is starting to do powerful things, being able to find solutions. You’re able to process things quicker, do things quicker. It’s just the beginning of what it can do,” Williams said.
In 2002, Williams founded V Starr, a full service design firm. Since then, Williams also created a plant-based protein company called Happy Viking, and owns Palazzo — an artificial intelligence company.
Williams has won seven Grand Slam titles, 14 double Grand Slam titles, two Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Titles, five Wimbledon championships and four Olympic gold medals.
Williams answered questions about her historic tennis career including what the game taught her.
“Confidence, because you have to learn to believe in yourself,” Williams said. “Even when you don’t, you’ve got to pretend like you do.”
Williams shared a time during a match when she had to compete with her less-experienced teammate.
“I ended up playing with a partner who was not as experienced as everyone else,” Williams said. “We arrived at the final. I saw his body still there, but his spirit had left the court.”
Still, the pair played its way to a tiebreaker. Williams said she complained about the loss for years, until she realized she made an error.
“I felt like we were in the driver’s seat and unfortunately, we didn’t play as well and lost that match,” Williams said. “I missed the last one, no matter what happened I still had control over myself.”
