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Multi-millionaire stock broker Chris Gardner shares his story (slideshow)

BY Blackwell Thomas, The Southern

Saturday, August 25, 2007 2:35 AM CDT

On his way to becoming a multi-millionaire stock broker Chris Gardner slept in public bathrooms, $10-a-night motels and subway stations because, for a year, he and his son were homeless.

View a slideshow presentation

Photos by Chuck Novara & Christopher Parr | Produced by JC Dart

Gardner, whose life has become the subject of a best-selling book and a movie, both entitled "The Pursuit of Happyness," spent Thursday in Carbondale offering up his life's story as a source of motivation at several speaking engagements.

Throughout the day Gardner spoke in front of local business people, government officials, students and more who came to hear him speak.

The addresses were arranged by The Southern Illinoisan and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Before Gardner took to the podium at a breakfast address at John A. Logan College, the audience of about 500 local business people watched clips from the film 'The Pursuit of Happyness.'

"Every time I see any clip from that movie, I think the same thing," Gardner said afterward. "They paid $70 million to do what I did for free."

After about an hour-long address and a book signing at the college, Gardner stepped out a patio door for a cigarette.

"I feel blessed," he said with a smile. "I always take a minute and appreciate all of it. I don't get tired of this, of signing autographs. And why would I?"

Gardner says having been both poor and wealthy gives him a perspective few have.

"The food tastes a hell of a lot better, I'll tell you that," he said. "When you've seen both sides, it's not hard to develop an appreciation for things."

At an afternoon luncheon at SIUC, Gardner spoke with students about a number of topics including music and politics.

But he finished the day by addressing about 2,500 gathered at SIU Arena.

Myah Gary said she and her family came to hear Gardner speak in the hopes that, as an entrepreneur, he might offer some tips for their family jewelry and handbag business.

"He's an entrepreneur and he's an African American," she said. "I find him extremely inspiring."

SIU graduate student Layne Britton said he'd already seen the movie and he wanted to hear Gardner in person.

"I just want to hear him tell his story," he said.

blackwell.thomas@thesouthern.com

351-5823