Congratulation on your acceptance into a doctoral program, and thank you for all the work you do with youth. I know your struggles, for they are my struggles, also. I am in graduate school in California at the University of Southern California working on a second masters. All of the schools I have attended are predominately white; and most often, I am the sole black person in class: male or female. I learned the hard way that life is about making your own decisions. I use my experiernce to try and reach young black males. It is difficult, however. Some of the kids I encounter are in their own reality and cannot be reached. It is sad. But I will not give up. You are an inspiration to all the others from the hood who continue to take the rod less traveled.

Thank you for not being stereotypical.