Orvin Kimbrough the Chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre, St. Louis’ second-largest privately owned local bank, who has dedicated his career to empowering individuals, strengthening businesses, and revitalizing neighborhoods joins Enterprise Radio.
His powerful story is chronicled in his memoir, Twice Over a Man: A Fierce Memoir of an Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life, where he reflects on his journey from the streets of East St. Louis to becoming a transformational leader.
Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Orvin Kimbrough discuss the following:
- Can you tell us about the journey that led you to write your new book, and what inspired you to share your story?
- What do you hope readers will learn from your book, and why is it an important read for today’s leaders?
- How has your approach to leadership evolved over the years, particularly through your work with the bank?
- You’ve worked with a diverse range of individuals in leadership roles. How do you think leadership styles have shifted in recent years?
- What role does community and social responsibility play in the work you do, both in your banking career and as an author?
- In your book, you discuss resilience and overcoming challenges. Could you share a pivotal moment in your life where you had to navigate a major challenge?
- What advice do you have for young professionals who aspire to be leaders in their fields, particularly in industries like banking?
- You mention in the book the importance of embracing failure. Can you elaborate on how failure has shaped your leadership journey?
- Looking ahead, what trends or challenges do you see shaping the financial industry, and how are you preparing for them?
Orvin Kimbrough, Chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre, St. Louis’ second-largest privately owned local bank, leverages the bank’s financial services to empower individuals, strengthen businesses, and revitalize neighborhoods. A recognized leader in community and economic development, he has championed initiatives such as Impact Banking, which focuses on expanding financial access to underbanked communities, and The Rising Together Foundation, dedicated to providing financial literacy, economic empowerment, and community development resources. His leadership, shaped by his personal journey from foster care to corporate success, is driven by a commitment to expanding access to opportunities and affordable capital, ultimately improving socioeconomic outcomes.
Kimbrough’s journey reflects the power of resilience, determination, and leadership. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to a drug-addicted mother who passed away when he was just eight years old, Kimbrough faced significant challenges and trauma early in life. His childhood was marked by foster care, orphanages, and extreme hardship. Despite facing obstacles such as abuse, poverty, and hunger, he chose a path of education and determination over despair. His remarkable story is captured in his powerful memoir, Twice Over a Man: A Fierce Memoir of an Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life, where he chronicles his journey from the streets to becoming a transformational leader in the nonprofit and business communities.
Before joining Midwest BankCentre, Kimbrough spent nearly two decades in nonprofit leadership, most notably as President and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, where he helped grow the organization into the nation’s largest affiliate, raising nearly $80 million annually. His academic achievements include degrees in social work, business, and theology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the Aquinas Institute of Theology.
Website: https://www.orvinkimbrough.com
Social Media Links:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orvinkimbrough
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orvinkimbrough
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrvKimbrough
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