A Fireside Chat: Coming Back to Give Back

On September 8, I will return to SUNY Old Westbury, the place where so much of my life’s journey began, for a very special Fireside Chat with my longtime friend Stephen A. Smith.

This event is about much more than a conversation between two friends. It is about coming back, giving back, and honoring the life and legacy of my late wife, Maleka C. Stephens.

Maleka and I met as students at SUNY Old Westbury and went on to share a 29-year journey together—a journey that ultimately became the inspiration for my memoir, Until the Wheels Fall Off. In many ways, this book would never have been possible if Maleka and I had not first met on the SUNY Old Westbury campus all those years ago.

That is what makes returning to the place where our story began so meaningful. To come back decades later, bring my longtime friend Stephen A. with me, and use this special moment to honor Maleka’s legacy while creating opportunities for the next generation of SUNY Old Westbury students truly brings the journey full circle.

In honor of Maleka, a 1995 graduate of the SUNY Old Westbury School of Business, The Maleka C. Stephens Foundation is partnering with the SUNY Old Westbury Office of Institutional Advancement to establish the Maleka C. Stephens Scholarship Fund through the University. The scholarship will provide financial support toward tuition for deserving students in the SUNY Old Westbury School of Business, creating opportunities for students at the very school where Maleka and I began our journey together.

I am especially grateful to my longtime friend Stephen A. Smith for generously giving his time to join me for this special evening and help support this important cause. Together, we will share stories about friendship, career, perseverance, family, leadership, personal growth, overcoming challenges, and defining success on your own terms.

But the greater purpose of this evening is to turn Maleka’s legacy into opportunity for someone else.

Funds raised through this event will support The Maleka C. Stephens Foundation’s educational and scholarship initiatives, including our commitment to the Maleka C. Stephens Scholarship at SUNY Old Westbury. Through the Foundation, we will continue working to create educational opportunities and make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and others we serve.

Whether you are able to attend the Fireside Chat or simply want to support its purpose, I invite you to make a contribution in support of this initiative.

Every contribution, regardless of the amount, helps us honor Maleka and continue a legacy centered on education, opportunity, and giving back.

Please consider supporting this special event and the work it makes possible.

Thank you in advance for your donation, your support, and for sharing this special event with others.

Gary Stephens Jr.

The Maleka C Stephens Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax professional regarding your individual circumstances.

MALEKA C. STEPHENS SCHOLARSHIP FUND