This book is my story of survival, resilience, and triumph against the odds. It is a testament to the power of determination and faith. But it is also a story that I hope will offer readers a new perspective on the challenges that so many Black boys face in this country. The traps laid out by the system are real, and they are devastating. But there is a way through.

I hope my journey can serve as a blueprint for young boys who see themselves in my story, showing them that success is possible, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. And to the adults reading this-regardless of your profession-I urge you to reach out when you have the opportunity to give a Black child a hand. You might be saving a future world leader.

This is my story, and I share it in the hope that it will inspire, provoke thought, and encourage action. It's been said that the system is broken. it may not be. It may be working exactly how it was designed. However, it is long past time to confront its realities and work, meaningfully, towards a future where every child, regardless of race, has an opportunity to thrive.