People often ask how I got to where I am. I’m not sitting at the top of the world, but I’m far from where I started. Raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as the eldest of seven by a single mother, there were no silver spoons, just grit and grind. Education wasn’t a priority in our home, but a high school principal, Mr. Harper, stepped in and changed the course of my life. I worked hard, studied harder, and thanks to the support of friends and mentors, I made it to Jackson State University with nothing but a pillowcase of belongings. From teaching to law school aspirations to a 30-year career in higher ed, I never let where I came from limit where I was going. I’ve always had a passion for serving others. Long before I could give financially, I gave myself, my time, energy, and heart. I believe my success comes from determination, humility, purpose, and the willingness to work. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Never let your circumstances define your destiny. My life is living proof of what faith, favor, and focus can do. But God.