CLEVELAND — Klutch Sports Group Founder and CEO Rich Paul returned to his hometown of Cleveland on Wednesday to participate in a public forum at Cuyahoga Community College, providing words of encouragement to those in attendance. Paul talked about surviving a tough childhood.

What You Need To Know

  • Rich Paul, who grew up in Cleveland, is the founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group
  • Paul joined Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Wednesday, October 11, for a forum at Cuyahoga Community College 
  • Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds is Paul's new book, released this week

“It’s my roots, it built me,” said the longtime friend and agent of LeBron James. 

The event was billed, “HOMECOMING: A Conversation Between Rich Paul, Mayor Bibb, and the Community on Overcoming Struggle, Finding Success and Taking Pride in Cleveland." 

This week marks the release of Paul's memoir, Lucky Me.

Paul explained he strives to be a good example for youth. 

“Hopefully kids understand that you don’t have to finish where you start,” he said.

It was a sentiment shared by Mayor Bibb during the event. Bibb, also a Cleveland native, expressed that he hopes their stories inspire the younger generation.

“I think Rich’s story, my story, gives young men and women in this city hope that promise is possible, opportunity is possible, their dreams are possible,” he said.