Defying the Odds: A Story of Strength and Survival

“My dad sold crack and got murdered at 22. My main role model in life was in the streets, as were almost all of my peers.

I started attending Eastern Michigan University at the same age my dad died — 22. By then, the streets were calling louder than ever, and temptation was everywhere. But I made a choice: I wouldn’t follow the same path.

Now, I’m a 27-year-old Black man with no criminal record and a bachelor’s degree. That may not sound extraordinary to some, but for me — coming from where I come from — it means everything.

I wasn’t supposed to make it here. The system, the environment, the history — none of it was built for my success. But I kept going.

College isn’t the only path to success, but it became my way out — a chance to build a life my father never got to live. I learned discipline, purpose, and that sometimes the greatest victory is simply surviving long enough to rewrite your story.

So when people ask if I’m winning, I smile and say,
‘You’re damn right I am.’

Because success isn’t about money or fame — it’s about breaking the cycle and proving that your past doesn’t define your future.”