Co-founder, Gloria Hill, says:
All that I have been, all that I am and all that I strive to become, I owe to a long list of what I choose to call Genuine Thoroughbred Spirits, as well as to my own enduring spirit. I am eternally grateful to so many for so much of what I have accomplished thus far, and for all that I hope to accomplish in the future.

The G&E Hill Foundation -- The generosity of spirit of Oprah Winfrey and her compassion for the less fortunate among us has inspired me (and others) to give back in kind. I once heard her repeat and old saying: "To whom much has been given, much is required." The goal of the G&E Hill Foundation is to do all it can to bring hope and happiness into the lives of underprivileged children throughout the country.

The Game of Roots & The Game of Roots II -- Alex Haley inspired me and millions of people to trace family roots. The idea of a family heritage board game was born out of my fascination as a youth with the popular board game, Monopoly, and out of my desire to know more about and connect with family and wanting to spark interest in family heritage in others.

The Hillson Five Investment Club -- Seeing the Evans family featured on a TV program in 1991, hosted by Tim and Daphne Reid, inspired me to begin an investment club with family members. The Family Seven, as they called themselves, started a family investment club that became very successful. Taking that idea seriously turned out to be the best financial move ever.

Thoroughbred: Mv House, Mv Block -- My first book is book one of a trilogy. It is a novel inspired by my life experiences (for more see Inspirations & Merchandise).

The Thoroughbred Spirit Circle -- was inspired by my desire to connect with as many kind and giving souls as possible, a unique group of caring people (see Thoroughbred Spirit).

I have been inspired by so many wonderful people who have overcome great obstacles themselves yet still find room in their hearts to reach back to help others. One day, I sat down and made a list of as many of these genuine Thoroughbred Spirits as I could. Below is a list of just a few who have touched my life in a significant way, and made a huge difference:

My family and friends -- especially, my husband, twin sons, mother, father, sister, and brothers -- who have stood by me through the best of times and the worst of times. They were, and are, my greatest inspiration. Nothing is more important than family. Because at the end of the day, that is all we have.

Nancina Thompson -- my sister, though born blind, has inspired me beyond words by her tenacity and strength of character. Her musical gift as a classical pianist, mastering some of the great works of, Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, and Spindler, is truly amazing. She has had to climb many hurdles. But she has come out a winner every time.

All blind and deaf around the world -- especially the non-sighted, non-hearing, but true Thoroughbred Spirits listed below:

The good teachers and staff at the Maryland School for the Blind -- inspired my sister to not give up on aiming high and being all that she could be. At the same time, they inspired me to strive to be as gifted and as persevering as she.

Vivian E. Cook (My high school principal/philanthropist) -- She saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself during those early years. She presented me with the first of several college scholarships, and inspired me to want do the same thing someday for some other needy young person.

The good teachers/professors/staff at Dunbar High School and Morgan State College (now University) -- inspired me to reach for the stars.

Mother Malone and all the good people from that tough street that I grew up on called the Block (past and present). I learned many of life's lessons through them (the do's). And through the not so good folks I learned many lessons, too (the don'ts).

The dedicated Johns Hopkins Hospital team of doctors -- Dr. Basil Morgan, Dr. Donald Zack, and Dr. Khang Zang - have inspired me through their tireless efforts over the past eight years working with 150 of my family members, who have become a part of a Glaucoma Genetic Study aimed at isolating the gene that is the cause of glaucoma among members on my maternal side of the family. The goal is to eventually eradicate it from our gene pool so that future generations in our family will not have to worry about this disease robbing them of their sight. Success in this effort would also be of benefit in the future to  others threatened by glaucoma (see Glaucoma).

Dr. John C. Merritt {my devoted Ophthalmologist/Glaucoma Specialist) -- inspired me to always seek answers and not accept the status quo regarding my visual health.

Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb (Washington Post Reporter/Trainer), who in the late 1990's, took an interest in my family's plight (history of glaucoma). She has gone above and beyond the call of duty in following the progress of the study. Over the years, she has traveled along with the JHH doctors to our family reunion sites in order to cover this story.

Dr. Maya Angelou -- inspired me by the way she took the lemons in her life and made lemonade. Her moving book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, taught me years ago that the Thoroughbred Spirit can not only overcome, but can even fly.

Alex Haley -- inspired me to embrace family and family heritage. Through his phenomenal book Roots, he set the stage for millions of people to begin searching for their family trees. He inspired me to create a family heritage board game, The Game of Roots, for young and old to play and have fun while learning and sharing around family.

Lois Haley Butts (Alex Haley's sister) -- not only opened her home to me, but her heart as well. She inspired me to keep pursuing my goals and never give up on my dreams.

Angela Shelton -- inspired me to "go find myself." Her story of strength and courage to "go find herself" by confronting that unfortunate part of her past, touched me in a personal way (see My Story). I consider her a winner and a true Thoroughbred Spirit.

Mattie Stepanek -- brought tears to my eyes and inspired me and the world through his magical spirit, courage and wisdom for one so young and so overburdened. His books are a forever profound message from a true Thoroughbred Spirit!

Tyler Perry -- has come up hard. His gift, his confidence, his strength and inner spirit that led him to dream, persevere, stand his ground, and keep his vision intact, has inspired me to stretch even more.

Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward -- a blessing to so many youngsters afflicted with cancer. By giving back, unconditionally, through' their Hole in the Wall Gang Camps and other charitable deeds, they inspire me, as well as others, to give back in kind.

Bill Mahr inspires me in a special kind of way. I admire his willingness to take a stand on any issue that he feels strongly about, when sitting on it would be easier. His championing the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes tells me that not only is he a thinking soul but a caring soul, that he cares about those who would benefit most from this kind of legislation -- people with glaucoma, and those who are smitten with cancer or some other serious illness, for whom traditional medicine has not been successful in easing their pain and suffering, or sparing them in some small way from the ravages of their disease.

Carlos Santana -- his musical genius inspires me always. Whether I'm exercising,  relaxing, writing or whatever, listening to this man's music really gets me going. Another Thoroughbred Spirit who came up hard, made it big and gives back, unconditionally.

Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and all of the crusaders for human rights throughout the world (too, many to name them all here).

Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver -- two honorary Thoroughbred Spirits. Although, they did not come up hard, were not raised in poverty, they have given so much to help the poor and down-trodden.

Maria Shriver - another honorary Thoroughbred Spirit, who has inspired me by the example she has set. For all of her good fortune, and success, she gives and gives and gives to the under-privileged and less fortunate.

Other Thoroughbred Spirits who have inspired me:

Forgive me if I have  left off the name of anyone who deserves to be listed here. If I know your story and it fits, your name is probably already here. If not, let me know your story. And if fits, your name will be added to the list either as a Genuine Thoroughbred Spirit (in blue letters) or as an Honorary Thoroughbred Spirit (in red letters).

Do yourself a favor by remembering the Thoroughbred Spirits in your life who have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds against them and have reached back to help you. Do like I did and make a list of as many as you can who have inspired you and made a difference in your life. I assure you, it will make you feel good and, hopefully, put the Thoroughbred Spirit in you -- that is, if you don't already have it.