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 |
Randal D. Pinkett (born 1971) is an American business expert. In 2005, he won season four of the TV show The Apprentice. Pinkett was the first African American to win the American version of this show.
Randal Pinkett has a strong background in engineering and business. He earned five academic degrees and was a Rhodes Scholar and a Walter Byers Scholar. Before The Apprentice, he co-founded a business consulting company called BCT Partners in 2001. After winning the show, he worked for a year with Trump Entertainment Resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Today, Pinkett is still the chairman and CEO of BCT Partners. He also gives speeches and has appeared on other TV shows.
Early Life and Education
Randal Pinkett grew up in East Windsor, New Jersey. He went to Hightstown High School in nearby Hightstown. In 1989, he started studying at Rutgers University. He graduated in 1994 with top honors, earning a degree in electrical engineering.
Pinkett was the first African American from Rutgers to become a Rhodes Scholar. This special scholarship 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.
He then attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1996 to 1998. At MIT, he earned another master's degree in electrical engineering. He also got an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Pinkett continued his studies at MIT, earning a PhD in media arts and sciences in 2001.
Winning The Apprentice
In 2005, Randal Pinkett, then 34, joined 17 other people on Season 4 of The Apprentice. His wife encouraged him to try out for the show. The Apprentice is a TV show where businessman Donald Trump gives contestants different tasks. He then chooses one person for a year-long job with one of his companies.
The fourth season of the show started filming in May 2005. The final episodes aired in December 2005. Pinkett made it to the finale with another contestant, Rebecca Jarvis. For the final challenge, Pinkett had to organize a celebrity baseball game to raise money for Autism Speaks. Even though it rained, he still raised almost $11,000.
In the end, Donald Trump chose Pinkett as the winner. Trump called him an "amazing leader" and said he led "through niceness." After Pinkett won, Trump asked him if he should also hire Rebecca Jarvis. Pinkett said there should only be one winner. This caused a lot of talk after the show. Pinkett later explained his choice, saying he had no problem with Jarvis being hired later. Years later, Pinkett shared his thoughts with The New Yorker, suggesting Trump might not have wanted a Black man to be the only winner.
Pinkett began his job on February 6, 2006. His task was to manage a big renovation project. This involved three casino resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey: the Trump Taj Mahal, the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, and the Trump Marina.
In Politics
In July 2006, Randal Pinkett helped the new Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Cory Booker, get started in his role. Pinkett was a co-chairman of the mayor's team.
In 2009, there were reports that Pinkett might become the running mate for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. This would have made him the Lieutenant Governor. However, some people criticized the idea of someone with no political experience taking such a big role. In the end, Governor Corzine chose State Senator Loretta Weinberg instead.
Later in 2009, Pinkett led a group called Yes We Can 2.0. This group aimed to encourage new voters from the 2008 presidential election to vote in the governor's election. Its name was inspired by Barack Obama's campaign slogan.
Personal Life and Achievements
Randal Pinkett was a top student and athlete at Rutgers University. He was named an academic All-American. In 1993, USA TODAY included him on their All-USA Academic Team. He was also a member of the Cap and Skull organization.
Pinkett was the president of the Rutgers chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. He was also the captain of the Rutgers men's track and field team. He competed in high jump and long jump. In 1993, he was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar. In 1994, he won the Walter Byers Scholarship, which is given to the NCAA's best scholar-athlete. Pinkett is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
In 2006, Pinkett received the Paul Robeson Leadership Award. This award came from the Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts.
Today, the Pinkett family lives in Somerset, New Jersey.
