Friendship, entrepreneurship, personal vision and philanthropy were key themes covered as SUNY Old Westbury alumnus Gary Stephens Jr. brought his longtime friend and noted broadcaster Stephen A. Smith to campus to launch both Stephens’ new book and the scholarship fund created in memory of his wife, Maleka.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Stephens and Smith held a fireside chat before nearly 300 hundred students and guests gathered in the Duane L. Jones Recital Hall to promote “Until the Wheels Fall Off,” Stephens’ memoir that explores what he’s learned about love, loss and ongoing commitment following the closely timed passings of a close friend, his mother-in-law, his mother and Maleka, who he met while studying at SUNY Old Westbury.
I thought it was only appropriate to make the first stop to introduce this book at SUNY Old Westbury, where our story starts. We don't have a story if we don't have Old Westbury. “
-- Gary Stephens, alumnus
“This is my first night to introduce this book to a broad audience,” said Stephens. “So, I thought it was only appropriate to make the first stop to introduce this book at SUNY Old Westbury, where our story starts. We don't have a story if we don't have Old Westbury. “
Having founded SMG Consulting Group in 2001 alongside Maleka, Stephens has for more than 30 years worked with high achievers, including entrepreneurs, athletes, and entertainers, by aiding them in navigating the real-life challenges of building and sustaining businesses.
Proceeds from the event were dedicated to supporting The Maleka C. Stephens Scholarship within the Old Westbury College Foundation, Inc., Stephens’ tribute to his 29-year relationship with his wife. The goal? Providing financial support to students in the School of Business, where they both studied.
"We wanted to bring Gary back so he could talk about his stories, his achievements, and, hopefully, inspire the students present about where they want to be, what they're going to want to do and how they can come back to SUNY Old Westbury as alumni," said Angela Wambugu Cobb, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the Old Westbury College Foundation. "He also wanted to give back to this institution because of how it helped shape his and Maleka's journey."
While giving back, Stephens brought with him Smith, his friend of nearly 40 years. Both born and raised in New York City, they met as basketball teammates at Winston Salem University. Stephens later transferred to SUNY Old Westbury, but their bonds were set.
My mission for myself was to be a high-end achiever; to position myself to have a voice that when I spoke... you were going to hear that was me."
- Stephen A. Smith
Smith, the noted broadcaster currently seen and heard discussing sports, entertainment, politics and culture daily on platforms like ESPN, SiriusXM and YouTube, explained his often animated, sometimes confrontational, and always emotionally convicted presentation style.
"My mission for myself was to be a high-end achiever; to position myself to have a voice that when I spoke, you didn't have a choice whether you liked it or not, whether you loved it or hated it, you were going to hear that was me," said Smith of his vision for himself from the time he was teenager overcoming dyslexia. "So, you transfer that to today's day and age. If I got something that's involving me, somebody takes a personal shot, or they're lying on me, or something like that, it might irritate me. But, if you quote me accurately and you contextualize it properly, I don't care who brings it up. I don't care who loves it. I don't care who hates it. All I care is, did you hear what I had to say?"
As they discussed the meanings of chapters from “Until the Wheels Come Off” with titles like “Discovering Us,“ “Struggling Successfully,” and “My Final F Words,” the pair offered insights and lively examples learned from their experiences ranging from their time together in college through to present day.
Stephens also pointed out a key difference between the friends: Smith's ability to navigate in the corporate space and Stephens’ challenges there.
"I was a terrible employee," he joked as he emphasized the need to choose a personal definition of success. "I chose to be an entrepreneur where I have to rely on big clients. Now, in hindsight, the greatest thing about being entrepreneurial was not revealed to me immediately. One of the struggles that we all deal with in life is balance, family, work, things of that nature. For me, for my family, when we hit our hardships, it was on my own time and dime that I was able to give them full attention. I wouldn't be able to do that in corporate America."
In the end, they each noted the importance of self-sacrifice and being accountable to yourself and those around you – your “village” as Stephens called it.
“You can't have everything you want when you want it,” said Smith. “You’ve got to deprive yourself of momentary pleasures for the greater good in the bigger picture, and the word accountability comes in for those who are not willing to sacrifice. Because if you don't sacrifice, you’re going to encounter more problems. And at some point in time, you're going to be called upon to be accountable for the mistakes you so willingly make, because you didn't have the discipline to sacrifice.”
Web Banner Caption: Stephen A. Smith (left) and Gary Stephens Jr. during their fireside chat to promote Stephen's memoir, "Until the Wheels Fall Off."