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Fords in Four: Jeremiah White ’00

In Fords in Four, we ask a Haverford School alumnus four questions about his time at the School and about his life beyond. This month, we spoke on the phone with accomplished executive and soccer star Jeremiah White ’00. Beyond his impressive feats on the field—progressing from All-American status while at Haverford to joining the US national team in 2008—White also leads in the boardroom. He serves as the CIO and CEO for Accra Capital Partners and as the CEO for White Sports Ventures. He was recently elected board chair for the Dyspraxia USA Foundation, contributing his many skills in acknowledgement of his son’s experiences of the disorder. View Jeremiah White's website to learn more about his varied efforts.

What is a common theme across your many interests, talents, and pursuits?
Oh my goodness. One common theme is curiosity. I'm naturally curious. I like to do things that inspire me. I like to learn about the things that inspire my curiosity. One of the ways I like to learn is through immersion. I attack what I want to learn about, and I do it fearlessly. 

I also like to build things. I like to architect my environment. I've learned how to build businesses and enjoy creating things that work. Bringing ideas into reality is a fun process for me, even though it's difficult. There is a creative side to enterprise development and entrepreneurship.

My curiosity applies to the sports world, too. I've lived in seven countries. Agents told me to stay in one place, but my curiosity caused me to not listen to them. I'm actually grateful I didn't, because I have friends from all over. Opportunities have come from those relationships. I have a foundation that is a mile wide and a mile deep.

What do you hope to help others understand about dyspraxia? 
Dyspraxia is a neurological disorder that affects more people than we realize. Most schools don't have dyspraxia listed as an acknowledged neurological disorder. It is important for me to, number one, raise awareness of dyspraxia and how it affects both kids and adults. I work to help clubs and schools become more understanding about dyspraxia, so they can make appropriate accommodations. Dyspraxia is not autism. While there is overlap, they are not the same. Both conditions deserve dedicated treatment and tailored services. 

What lessons from The Haverford School do you carry with you in your life and career?
At Haverford, I distinctly remember the teachers not caring too much that I was a high level soccer player with all these other outside athletic commitments. I had to rise to the occasion to manage my academics. In the moment, I didn't like that, but I grew to appreciate it later on. It helped my understanding. Now that I'm on the other side, I really appreciate that the teachers didn't give me special treatment and kept those academic demands. It stretched me. It forced me to expand what I thought was possible in terms of my capacity and my output.

I carry that with me. When things get a little difficult, I think, “Well, I can always expand.” I've always felt like I was capable of doing anything I set my mind to, however challenging the task. I never had exceptions. I just had to expand and get it done. I went on to accomplish all these different things that may not have been possible if I’d given up.

What do you hope your legacy will be?
 I want to be somebody that inspires, and I want to be a good dad. That's probably it. Hopefully I inspire people to dream big and architect their future. Bring those ideas into the present. Entrepreneurial thinking is really important because it gives a sense that we can control our environment in a world that can seem out of control. If I can inspire people to try things, take risks, architect and fight for the lives they want to live—then I've done a good job.
 

Happening at Haverford