Smart People Should Build Things by Andrew Yang

Author:Andrew Yang
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2013-03-11T04:00:00+00:00

I was learning a lot by visiting campuses and startups. Then in April 2012, I got an e-mail with the subject line, “INVITATION: Meeting with the President (4/26).” I opened the e-mail, wondering who they were talking about, when I realized it was from the White House: “We are inviting a small group of our past Champions to participate in a small meeting with the President.” I’d been named a Champion of Change by the White House the previous year for starting Venture for America, but this message was completely out of the blue.

After confirming that the e-mail was real, I immediately responded, “Yes, I am able to attend” and forwarded the invite to my family as well as to the VFA board members.

A little over a week later, I was in the White House map room waiting to meet President Obama. It was like being on a movie set, except it was real, complete with Secret Service agents scanning the room for threats. For some reason I had neglected to wear a tie, probably because I’d been spending my time visiting colleges and startups. One of the White House staffers, Ronnie Cho, literally gave me the tie off his neck to save me from being the schmuck who showed up to meet the president without a tie.

The room was abuzz with anticipation. Everyone had one eye on the person she was talking to and one eye on the doorway. When the president arrived, it was as if a dam broke. He said “Hello!” in a friendly voice as he entered the room and began greeting people. As I shook his hand, I thought to myself that his hands were bigger than you’d think, and that it must help him playing basketball.

We talked for about ten minutes. I explained to him what we were doing with Venture for America and he told me how great an idea he thought it was. He asked if I’d spoken yet to Steve Case, the founder of AOL and the head of the Startup America Partnership. He also asked some other questions about the program and the experience over the two years for the Venture Fellows. I’ll admit that I found myself playing a role during the meeting, that of “gracious guy visiting the president.” It occurred to me that President Obama must play “friendly president” all the time. And then he moved on to the next guest. On my way out, a couple of White House officials gave me their business cards and contact information.

On the train ride back from Washington that night, I thought to myself, “Man, I just met the president! That was a trip. At least now he knows what Venture for America is.”

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