Randal Pinkett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Randal Pinkett
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| Born | 1971 (age 53–54) |
| Alma mater | Rutgers University, New Brunswick Keble College, Oxford Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Known for | Winner, The Apprentice, Season 4 |
| Spouse(s) | Natasha Williams-Pinkett |
| Children | 4 |
Randal D. Pinkett (born in 1971) is an American business expert. He became famous in 2005 when he won the fourth season of the TV show The Apprentice. Randal Pinkett was the first African American to win the American version of this show.
Randal has a strong background in engineering and business. He earned five college degrees and was recognized as both a Rhodes Scholar and a Walter Byers Scholar. Before joining The Apprentice, he had already started his own business. In 2001, he co-founded a business consulting company called BCT Partners. After winning The Apprentice in December 2005, he worked for a year with Trump Entertainment Resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Since his time on The Apprentice, Randal Pinkett has continued to lead BCT Partners as its chairman and CEO. He also gives speeches and has appeared on later seasons of the show. He has also been involved in politics.
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Early Life and Education
Randal Pinkett grew up in East Windsor, New Jersey. He went to Hightstown High School in nearby Hightstown. In high school, he was a talented athlete, playing soccer, basketball, and competing in track and field.
College Years at Rutgers
In 1989, Randal started attending Rutgers University. He graduated in 1994 with a degree in electrical engineering. He finished at the top of his class, earning summa cum laude honors. At Rutgers, he received important scholarships like the James Dickson Carr and Paul Robeson scholarships.
He was also the captain of the Men’s Track and Field Team. He competed in high jump and long jump events. In 1993, he was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar. The next year, in 1994, he won the Walter Byers Scholarship. This award recognizes the top male student-athlete in the NCAA. He was also named to the USA TODAY College All-Academic First Team. Randal was part of the Cap and Skull Honor Society. He also served two terms as president of the Rutgers Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.
Studying at Oxford and MIT
In 1994, Randal Pinkett made history. He was the first African American from Rutgers to be chosen as a Rhodes Scholar. This allowed him to study at the University of Oxford in England from 1994 to 1996. There, he earned a master's degree in computer science.
After Oxford, Randal went to the MIT from 1996 to 1998. He earned another master's degree, this time in electrical engineering. He also received a business degree (an M.B.A.) from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He continued his studies at MIT and earned his PhD in 2001. His PhD focused on how technology can help build communities.
Winning The Apprentice
In 2005, Randal Pinkett, who was 34 years old, joined 17 other people on the fourth season of The Apprentice. His wife encouraged him to try out for the show. The Apprentice is a reality TV series where businessman Donald Trump gives contestants different tasks. He then chooses one person to work for him for a year.
The fourth season of the show started filming in May 2005 and aired in September 2005. The final two episodes were shown in December 2005. Randal Pinkett made it to the finale with another contestant, Rebecca Jarvis. For his final task, Randal had to organize a celebrity baseball game to raise money for Autism Speaks. Even though it rained and the game was canceled, Randal still managed to raise almost $11,000.
In the end, Mr. Trump chose Randal Pinkett as the winner. He called Randal an "amazing leader" and said, "Rarely have I seen a leader as good as you." After the announcement, Mr. Trump asked Randal if he thought Rebecca Jarvis, the other finalist, should also be hired. Randal said he believed there should only be one winner of the contest. This caused a lot of discussion after the show. Randal later explained his reasons, saying he had no problem with Rebecca being hired by Mr. Trump's company later on. Randal was surprised by some of the reactions, but he remained friends with Rebecca.
Randal started his apprenticeship on February 6, 2006. His job was to help manage a big renovation project. This project involved updating three casino resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey: the Trump Taj Mahal, the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, and the Trump Marina.
Involvement in Politics
In July 2006, Randal Pinkett helped the new Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Cory Booker, during his transition into office.
In 2009, there were reports that Randal might be chosen as the running mate for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine in the election. However, some people criticized the idea of someone with no experience in public office becoming lieutenant governor. Because of this, Governor Corzine later chose State Senator Loretta Weinberg instead. In 2009, Randal was also involved with a group called Yes We Can 2.0. This group worked to encourage newly registered voters from the 2008 presidential election to vote in the gubernatorial election.
Personal Life
Randal Pinkett is married to Natasha Williams-Pinkett. They have four children together. The family lives in Dayton, New Jersey.
Randal is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Awards and Recognitions
- 2006: Paul Robeson Leadership Award from Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts.
- 2023: Axiom Award (with Jeffrey Robinson) for their book Black Faces in High Places: Ten Strategic Actions for Black Professionals to Reach the Top and Stay There.
- 2024: Axiom Award, Gold medal, for his book Data-Driven DEI: The Tools and Metrics You Need to Measure, Analyze and Improve Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
- 2024: Inducted into the Hightstown High Hall of Fame for basketball.
