before I had the opportunity to speak in boardrooms with multi billionaires and
boardrooms with multi billionaires and
boardrooms with multi billionaires and get inspired and motivated one-on-one
get inspired and motivated one-on-one
get inspired and motivated one-on-one with people such as Richard Branson I
with people such as Richard Branson I
with people such as Richard Branson I was an at-risk student before had an
was an at-risk student before had an
was an at-risk student before had an opportunity to speak to hundreds and
opportunity to speak to hundreds and
opportunity to speak to hundreds and thousands of at-risk students as a
thousands of at-risk students as a
thousands of at-risk students as a motivator I was an at-risk student just
motivator I was an at-risk student just
motivator I was an at-risk student just like them with a dream and that dream
like them with a dream and that dream
like them with a dream and that dream was to go to college get a big round of
was to go to college get a big round of
was to go to college get a big round of applause for all the college graduates
applause for all the college graduates
applause for all the college graduates were here well another for me to go to
were here well another for me to go to
were here well another for me to go to college I had to be ready had to be
college I had to be ready had to be
college I had to be ready had to be empowered and had to determine but I
empowered and had to determine but I
empowered and had to determine but I wasn’t a hundred percent on readiness I
wasn’t a hundred percent on readiness I
wasn’t a hundred percent on readiness I wasn’t a hundred percent of empowerment
wasn’t a hundred percent of empowerment
wasn’t a hundred percent of empowerment and I wasn’t 100% on determination
and I wasn’t 100% on determination
and I wasn’t 100% on determination readiness there’s a big problem today in
readiness there’s a big problem today in
readiness there’s a big problem today in today’s schools especially with minority
today’s schools especially with minority
today’s schools especially with minority students failing tests over and over and
students failing tests over and over and
students failing tests over and over and over again I’m a living testament the
over again I’m a living testament the
over again I’m a living testament the first time I took my acct test I failed
first time I took my acct test I failed
first time I took my acct test I failed it second time I taking my agency test I
it second time I taking my agency test I
it second time I taking my agency test I felt it but the third time i took my ATT
felt it but the third time i took my ATT
felt it but the third time i took my ATT test i I felt it again
test i I felt it again
test i I felt it again I love that part of the story by show of
I love that part of the story by show of
I love that part of the story by show of hands how many people in this room have
hands how many people in this room have
hands how many people in this room have experienced failure in their life got
experienced failure in their life got
experienced failure in their life got one person who did read in here say
one person who did read in here say
one person who did read in here say money save all of you when we experience
money save all of you when we experience
money save all of you when we experience failure sometimes people say that we
failure sometimes people say that we
failure sometimes people say that we drop the we drop the ball sometimes we
drop the we drop the ball sometimes we
drop the we drop the ball sometimes we drop the ball of an unexpected
drop the ball of an unexpected
drop the ball of an unexpected circumstances arise in our life
circumstances arise in our life
circumstances arise in our life sometimes we drop the ball once again
sometimes we drop the ball once again
sometimes we drop the ball once again raise your hand if you ever drop the
raise your hand if you ever drop the
raise your hand if you ever drop the ball in life okay one raise your hand if
ball in life okay one raise your hand if
ball in life okay one raise your hand if you rarely ever drop the ball you’re
you rarely ever drop the ball you’re
you rarely ever drop the ball you’re excellent you know you do a great job
excellent you know you do a great job
excellent you know you do a great job got one person over it my first over
got one person over it my first over
got one person over it my first over here well yeah sometimes we have
here well yeah sometimes we have
here well yeah sometimes we have unexpected events where we dropped the
unexpected events where we dropped the
unexpected events where we dropped the ball and life we drop the ball uh we
ball and life we drop the ball uh we
ball and life we drop the ball uh we have unexpected events did you guys
have unexpected events did you guys
have unexpected events did you guys expect that did some people drop the
expect that did some people drop the
expect that did some people drop the ball when we drop the ball we need
ball when we drop the ball we need
ball when we drop the ball we need determination because when we drop the
determination because when we drop the
determination because when we drop the ball we get discouraged we feel like I’m
ball we get discouraged we feel like I’m
ball we get discouraged we feel like I’m not good enough I’m not worthy I don’t
not good enough I’m not worthy I don’t
not good enough I’m not worthy I don’t think I can make it I felt the same way
think I can make it I felt the same way
think I can make it I felt the same way because I kept building the AC T test
because I kept building the AC T test
because I kept building the AC T test over and over and over again I wasn’t
over and over and over again I wasn’t
over and over and over again I wasn’t ready and I was somewhat determined i
ready and I was somewhat determined i
ready and I was somewhat determined i said i try it one more time the first
said i try it one more time the first
said i try it one more time the first time i filled it the second time I field
time i filled it the second time I field
time i filled it the second time I field in the third time I oh you got it this
in the third time I oh you got it this
in the third time I oh you got it this time and guys you know what even a
time and guys you know what even a
time and guys you know what even a fourth time I filled it again some
fourth time I filled it again some
fourth time I filled it again some people are laughing at me oh my gosh
people are laughing at me oh my gosh
people are laughing at me oh my gosh it’s okay because I had people really
it’s okay because I had people really
it’s okay because I had people really laugh at me and tell me you know Travis
laugh at me and tell me you know Travis
laugh at me and tell me you know Travis you’re not smart enough um your mom
you’re not smart enough um your mom
you’re not smart enough um your mom makes twenty thousand dollars a year
makes twenty thousand dollars a year
makes twenty thousand dollars a year your dad didn’t go to college neither
your dad didn’t go to college neither
your dad didn’t go to college neither that either your brothers are your
that either your brothers are your
that either your brothers are your sisters go to college and get master’s
sisters go to college and get master’s
sisters go to college and get master’s degrees on dr. degrees I don’t think you
degrees on dr. degrees I don’t think you
degrees on dr. degrees I don’t think you can do it either you’re a failure
can do it either you’re a failure
can do it either you’re a failure because of the first time second time at
because of the first time second time at
because of the first time second time at third time what makes you think you’re
third time what makes you think you’re
third time what makes you think you’re going to pass it on the fourth time look
going to pass it on the fourth time look
going to pass it on the fourth time look at your track record look at your
at your track record look at your
at your track record look at your background you’re an african-american
background you’re an african-american
background you’re an african-american male you have the lowest acct scores in
male you have the lowest acct scores in
male you have the lowest acct scores in the nation
the nation
the nation you can’t make it and I began to believe
you can’t make it and I began to believe
you can’t make it and I began to believe those stereotypes well maybe I just get
those stereotypes well maybe I just get
those stereotypes well maybe I just get a job and just not try to go to college
a job and just not try to go to college
a job and just not try to go to college maybe I allow some of the generational
maybe I allow some of the generational
maybe I allow some of the generational curses of not going further than a high
curses of not going further than a high
curses of not going further than a high school education I just accept it this
school education I just accept it this
school education I just accept it this is my family this is my life and I’ll
is my family this is my life and I’ll
is my family this is my life and I’ll just do that but certain people get into
just do that but certain people get into
just do that but certain people get into our life I call them empowerment people
our life I call them empowerment people
our life I call them empowerment people and they help us stay in power they give
and they help us stay in power they give
and they help us stay in power they give us a sense of belonging they give us a
us a sense of belonging they give us a
us a sense of belonging they give us a sense of worth in a sense of value so
sense of worth in a sense of value so
sense of worth in a sense of value so everybody give me an e give me em p w/e
everybody give me an e give me em p w/e
everybody give me an e give me em p w/e o M e.n.t everybody said if i were there
o M e.n.t everybody said if i were there
o M e.n.t everybody said if i were there that feels good that feels good
that feels good that feels good
that feels good that feels good empowerment is so crucial and ensuring
empowerment is so crucial and ensuring
empowerment is so crucial and ensuring the success of at-risk students moving
the success of at-risk students moving
the success of at-risk students moving from at risk to action in their life
from at risk to action in their life
from at risk to action in their life breaking the barriers of disbelief
breaking the barriers of disbelief
breaking the barriers of disbelief breaking the barrier saying to myself i
breaking the barrier saying to myself i
breaking the barrier saying to myself i can’t make it to San I can make it it
can’t make it to San I can make it it
can’t make it to San I can make it it takes one person in your life to make
takes one person in your life to make
takes one person in your life to make that difference that one person for me
that difference that one person for me
that difference that one person for me was my uncle now first of all you gotta
was my uncle now first of all you gotta
was my uncle now first of all you gotta say well watch this guy sounding like
say well watch this guy sounding like
say well watch this guy sounding like he’s cheering me on like a cheerleader
he’s cheering me on like a cheerleader
he’s cheering me on like a cheerleader somebody that you know my uncle was a
somebody that you know my uncle was a
somebody that you know my uncle was a cheerleader and some of you guys
cheerleader and some of you guys
cheerleader and some of you guys ironically even am in here we’re chillin
ironically even am in here we’re chillin
ironically even am in here we’re chillin at some point I’m raise your hand man if
at some point I’m raise your hand man if
at some point I’m raise your hand man if you were a cheerleader at some point I’m
you were a cheerleader at some point I’m
you were a cheerleader at some point I’m okay most of the guys I raising in some
okay most of the guys I raising in some
okay most of the guys I raising in some overnight will never improve the guys
overnight will never improve the guys
overnight will never improve the guys who didn’t ring the hammer prove me
who didn’t ring the hammer prove me
who didn’t ring the hammer prove me wrong he’s at the 40 the 30 the 20 the
wrong he’s at the 40 the 30 the 20 the
wrong he’s at the 40 the 30 the 20 the 10 touchdown yeah you were leading the
10 touchdown yeah you were leading the
10 touchdown yeah you were leading the cheer you were being a cheer leader
cheer you were being a cheer leader
cheer you were being a cheer leader you’re relieving the cheer of someone
you’re relieving the cheer of someone
you’re relieving the cheer of someone reaching their goal and ironically was
reaching their goal and ironically was
reaching their goal and ironically was your favorite football team but what if
your favorite football team but what if
your favorite football team but what if at-risk students had somebody who
at-risk students had somebody who
at-risk students had somebody who leading the cheer you fell the first
leading the cheer you fell the first
leading the cheer you fell the first time you felt the second thought you
time you felt the second thought you
time you felt the second thought you feeling the third time and the fourth
feeling the third time and the fourth
feeling the third time and the fourth time you failed again great cheerleader
time you failed again great cheerleader
time you failed again great cheerleader they stick with you no matter how many
they stick with you no matter how many
they stick with you no matter how many games you lose you know extra favorite
games you lose you know extra favorite
games you lose you know extra favorite football team no matter how many times
football team no matter how many times
football team no matter how many times the game how many games they lose the
the game how many games they lose the
the game how many games they lose the chilis I always did there cheering him
chilis I always did there cheering him
chilis I always did there cheering him on cheer him on my uncle was that person
on cheer him on my uncle was that person
on cheer him on my uncle was that person who kept cheering me on believe it not
who kept cheering me on believe it not
who kept cheering me on believe it not he called me dr. Travis starting at 12
he called me dr. Travis starting at 12
he called me dr. Travis starting at 12 years old I was like that like hey dr.
years old I was like that like hey dr.
years old I was like that like hey dr. Travis is coming and my uncle actually
Travis is coming and my uncle actually
Travis is coming and my uncle actually was a pastor and a police officer and he
was a pastor and a police officer and he
was a pastor and a police officer and he would let me come to the church and he
would let me come to the church and he
would let me come to the church and he always say hey guys we got dr. Travis
always say hey guys we got dr. Travis
always say hey guys we got dr. Travis coming up he’s gonna do some things for
coming up he’s gonna do some things for
coming up he’s gonna do some things for the kids and all that it was something
the kids and all that it was something
the kids and all that it was something funny I really felt like about her I
funny I really felt like about her I
funny I really felt like about her I felt inspired I felt a sense of value a
felt inspired I felt a sense of value a
felt inspired I felt a sense of value a sense of worth hey he’s calling me a
sense of worth hey he’s calling me a
sense of worth hey he’s calling me a doctor and although he was not my
doctor and although he was not my
doctor and although he was not my biological father he was a surrogate
biological father he was a surrogate
biological father he was a surrogate father for me sometimes those key
father for me sometimes those key
father for me sometimes those key players in our life those encouragement
players in our life those encouragement
players in our life those encouragement people may not be our family members and
people may not be our family members and
people may not be our family members and some of them may not even have the same
some of them may not even have the same
some of them may not even have the same skin color as us they may not even have
skin color as us they may not even have
skin color as us they may not even have the same economic background as us but
the same economic background as us but
the same economic background as us but they motivate us and they’re a firm as
they motivate us and they’re a firm as
they motivate us and they’re a firm as they cheer us on here’s another
they cheer us on here’s another
they cheer us on here’s another important concept think about this in
important concept think about this in
important concept think about this in May 2017 or even in June there will be
May 2017 or even in June there will be
May 2017 or even in June there will be hundreds and even thousands of high
hundreds and even thousands of high
hundreds and even thousands of high school graduates going to the graduation
school graduates going to the graduation
school graduates going to the graduation day going to an arena they have on a cap
day going to an arena they have on a cap
day going to an arena they have on a cap in their gown and after the graduation
in their gown and after the graduation
in their gown and after the graduation ceremony after the processional there
ceremony after the processional there
ceremony after the processional there will be people come up say I knew you
will be people come up say I knew you
will be people come up say I knew you can make it all this time I was
can make it all this time I was
can make it all this time I was believing in you but they would never
believing in you but they would never
believing in you but they would never there see certain people become
there see certain people become
there see certain people become cheerleaders once you have already
cheerleaders once you have already
cheerleaders once you have already reached your goal they hop on the
reached your goal they hop on the
reached your goal they hop on the bandwagon what everybody else is on the
bandwagon what everybody else is on the
bandwagon what everybody else is on the bandwagon ironically even some of these
bandwagon ironically even some of these
bandwagon ironically even some of these students parents who were not there they
students parents who were not there they
students parents who were not there they come up to the graduation says
come up to the graduation says
come up to the graduation says I’m so proud of him I you did it and
I’m so proud of him I you did it and
I’m so proud of him I you did it and those are the simple where were you when
those are the simple where were you when
those are the simple where were you when I felt the felt the felt and I wanted
I felt the felt the felt and I wanted
I felt the felt the felt and I wanted those new sneakers right but they’re
those new sneakers right but they’re
those new sneakers right but they’re cheering you on it’s easy to cheer for
cheering you on it’s easy to cheer for
cheering you on it’s easy to cheer for at-risk student or someone who’s in
at-risk student or someone who’s in
at-risk student or someone who’s in transition and it does something they’re
transition and it does something they’re
transition and it does something they’re gonna make it it’s easy to cheer for
gonna make it it’s easy to cheer for
gonna make it it’s easy to cheer for them once they reach to go very easy
them once they reach to go very easy
them once they reach to go very easy think about the people who we cheer for
think about the people who we cheer for
think about the people who we cheer for once they have made it my uncle didn’t
once they have made it my uncle didn’t
once they have made it my uncle didn’t do that he said I’m going to cheer you
do that he said I’m going to cheer you
do that he said I’m going to cheer you on Travis no matter what you’re going
on Travis no matter what you’re going
on Travis no matter what you’re going through so he became a great children in
through so he became a great children in
through so he became a great children in my life the second thing Michael did was
my life the second thing Michael did was
my life the second thing Michael did was he became a great counselor now I had
he became a great counselor now I had
he became a great counselor now I had some issues when I was in Middle School
some issues when I was in Middle School
some issues when I was in Middle School in high school I was actually I’m
in high school I was actually I’m
in high school I was actually I’m actually fairly short right and so I
actually fairly short right and so I
actually fairly short right and so I ended up ironically getting into track
ended up ironically getting into track
ended up ironically getting into track and I would love to do this particular
and I would love to do this particular
and I would love to do this particular relay which was doing the high jump so
relay which was doing the high jump so
relay which was doing the high jump so short guy trying to do the high jump
short guy trying to do the high jump
short guy trying to do the high jump they’ve always set this really nice high
they’ve always set this really nice high
they’ve always set this really nice high bar and I would have to just run over to
bar and I would have to just run over to
bar and I would have to just run over to the side the about a half semi-circle
the side the about a half semi-circle
the side the about a half semi-circle semi circle and then jump right on over
semi circle and then jump right on over
semi circle and then jump right on over and then lean back right so I remember
and then lean back right so I remember
and then lean back right so I remember one of my first track meets where had an
one of my first track meets where had an
one of my first track meets where had an opportunity to hi John now i can jump
opportunity to hi John now i can jump
opportunity to hi John now i can jump pretty high but it had some people over
pretty high but it had some people over
pretty high but it had some people over here on the side there were two guys
here on the side there were two guys
here on the side there were two guys here at the dope man and they were
here at the dope man and they were
here at the dope man and they were laughing it like this guy really
laughing it like this guy really
laughing it like this guy really believes he’s going to cross this bar
believes he’s going to cross this bar
believes he’s going to cross this bar look I’m sure the end it was laughing my
look I’m sure the end it was laughing my
look I’m sure the end it was laughing my uncle was over to the side he was like
uncle was over to the side he was like
uncle was over to the side he was like watch this watch this he’s like Travis
watch this watch this he’s like Travis
watch this watch this he’s like Travis don’t focus on them you can do it stay
don’t focus on them you can do it stay
don’t focus on them you can do it stay focus and so here I go slow motion I’m
focus and so here I go slow motion I’m
focus and so here I go slow motion I’m going around I’m going around and the
going around I’m going around and the
going around I’m going around and the bar is set is higher than my height it
bar is set is higher than my height it
bar is set is higher than my height it looks like I’m not going to make it at
looks like I’m not going to make it at
looks like I’m not going to make it at all it looks like it’s too big for me
all it looks like it’s too big for me
all it looks like it’s too big for me and I jump up and go right on over and
and I jump up and go right on over and
and I jump up and go right on over and leave back and boom they’re like oh my
leave back and boom they’re like oh my
leave back and boom they’re like oh my gosh oh but that was so cool that’s so
gosh oh but that was so cool that’s so
gosh oh but that was so cool that’s so cool they became my cheerleaders see
cool they became my cheerleaders see
cool they became my cheerleaders see some people they might not like you
some people they might not like you
some people they might not like you right now they may second-guess your
right now they may second-guess your
right now they may second-guess your ability but
ability but
ability but I guarantee you if you stay focused they
I guarantee you if you stay focused they
I guarantee you if you stay focused they will become your cheerleaders as well
will become your cheerleaders as well
will become your cheerleaders as well that all right the second thing among
that all right the second thing among
that all right the second thing among cadet other than cheerleading he did
cadet other than cheerleading he did
cadet other than cheerleading he did counseling he began to listen to me
counseling he began to listen to me
counseling he began to listen to me begin to understand what was going on to
begin to understand what was going on to
begin to understand what was going on to my life not only should speak into
my life not only should speak into
my life not only should speak into people’s life in via chilly but should
people’s life in via chilly but should
people’s life in via chilly but should be a counselor a listener okay um have
be a counselor a listener okay um have
be a counselor a listener okay um have effective listening skills at risk
effective listening skills at risk
effective listening skills at risk students and other for them to go from
students and other for them to go from
students and other for them to go from at risk to action they need not only
at risk to action they need not only
at risk to action they need not only people to speak to them but also people
people to speak to them but also people
people to speak to them but also people to listen to them my uncle wet listen in
to listen to them my uncle wet listen in
to listen to them my uncle wet listen in order to locate my different needs you
order to locate my different needs you
order to locate my different needs you know there were some times where it
know there were some times where it
know there were some times where it guess what we didn’t have enough money
guess what we didn’t have enough money
guess what we didn’t have enough money to pay a light bill sometimes but guess
to pay a light bill sometimes but guess
to pay a light bill sometimes but guess what uncle will listen not only listened
what uncle will listen not only listened
what uncle will listen not only listened but locate things and guide me towards
but locate things and guide me towards
but locate things and guide me towards resources guy towards resources this is
resources guy towards resources this is
resources guy towards resources this is really important this concept of
really important this concept of
really important this concept of listening in order to locate to point
listening in order to locate to point
listening in order to locate to point people towards resources cuz I
people towards resources cuz I
people towards resources cuz I experience that when I was a school
experience that when I was a school
experience that when I was a school counselor I’m flashing forward until my
counselor I’m flashing forward until my
counselor I’m flashing forward until my life um I am in a master’s program and
life um I am in a master’s program and
life um I am in a master’s program and I’m learning how to become a school
I’m learning how to become a school
I’m learning how to become a school counselor hmm oh god I delay I learn how
counselor hmm oh god I delay I learn how
counselor hmm oh god I delay I learn how to become a school counselor and my
to become a school counselor and my
to become a school counselor and my professor says drivers you have 15
professor says drivers you have 15
professor says drivers you have 15 minutes for 14 minutes and 59 seconds I
minutes for 14 minutes and 59 seconds I
minutes for 14 minutes and 59 seconds I did most of the talking I did all the
did most of the talking I did all the
did most of the talking I did all the talking and my professor says any trauma
talking and my professor says any trauma
talking and my professor says any trauma center I said did you see that did you
center I said did you see that did you
center I said did you see that did you see how good I live did you see did you
see how good I live did you see did you
see how good I live did you see did you see that he says yeah I saw that it was
see that he says yeah I saw that it was
see that he says yeah I saw that it was terrible what do you mean did you hear
terrible what do you mean did you hear
terrible what do you mean did you hear when I said to the student she said
when I said to the student she said
when I said to the student she said Travis you did more talking than listen
Travis you did more talking than listen
Travis you did more talking than listen she says great counselors do more
she says great counselors do more
she says great counselors do more listening than talking how can you
listening than talking how can you
listening than talking how can you locate their needs if you’re doing more
locate their needs if you’re doing more
locate their needs if you’re doing more talking than they are how can you point
talking than they are how can you point
talking than they are how can you point them in the right direction if you’re
them in the right direction if you’re
them in the right direction if you’re doing more talking than they are I
doing more talking than they are I
doing more talking than they are I learned a very important lesson during
learned a very important lesson during
learned a very important lesson during that day and I begin to understand what
that day and I begin to understand what
that day and I begin to understand what my uncle will even take time to just say
my uncle will even take time to just say
my uncle will even take time to just say Travis you can knit to me if you need to
Travis you can knit to me if you need to
Travis you can knit to me if you need to scream go ahead and scream I’m just here
scream go ahead and scream I’m just here
scream go ahead and scream I’m just here to listen to you listening is a form of
to listen to you listening is a form of
to listen to you listening is a form of empowerment
empowerment
empowerment my uncle had a busy schedule but he cut
my uncle had a busy schedule but he cut
my uncle had a busy schedule but he cut out time just to listen to me and so
out time just to listen to me and so
out time just to listen to me and so important that we take a little bit of
important that we take a little bit of
important that we take a little bit of time but every time we have left just to
time but every time we have left just to
time but every time we have left just to listen to somebody by him listening to
listen to somebody by him listening to
listen to somebody by him listening to me he was able to understand some of the
me he was able to understand some of the
me he was able to understand some of the dangers that were about their career of
dangers that were about their career of
dangers that were about their career of my life I was an at-risk blackmail I
my life I was an at-risk blackmail I
my life I was an at-risk blackmail I loved hip-hop music and i also got
loved hip-hop music and i also got
loved hip-hop music and i also got involved with hanging around drug
involved with hanging around drug
involved with hanging around drug dealers I had one of my mentors becoming
dealers I had one of my mentors becoming
dealers I had one of my mentors becoming he was a drug dealer and I remember him
he was a drug dealer and I remember him
he was a drug dealer and I remember him teaching me how to sell crack cocaine so
teaching me how to sell crack cocaine so
teaching me how to sell crack cocaine so imagine have a 17 year old he’s
imagine have a 17 year old he’s
imagine have a 17 year old he’s consistently felon test failed state
consistently felon test failed state
consistently felon test failed state test failing a CT test doesn’t doesn’t
test failing a CT test doesn’t doesn’t
test failing a CT test doesn’t doesn’t really believe you can go to college
really believe you can go to college
really believe you can go to college feels like he’s done and he’s hanging
feels like he’s done and he’s hanging
feels like he’s done and he’s hanging around someone who’s making thousands of
around someone who’s making thousands of
around someone who’s making thousands of dollars within the day I really wanted
dollars within the day I really wanted
dollars within the day I really wanted to be like this particular person it was
to be like this particular person it was
to be like this particular person it was until I got to a point where I was
until I got to a point where I was
until I got to a point where I was pulled over by the police pistol in the
pulled over by the police pistol in the
pulled over by the police pistol in the car it didn’t belong to me drugs and the
car it didn’t belong to me drugs and the
car it didn’t belong to me drugs and the police officer found five thousand
police officer found five thousand
police officer found five thousand dollars in a rubberband and my friend
dollars in a rubberband and my friend
dollars in a rubberband and my friend who was the drug dealer he got in
who was the drug dealer he got in
who was the drug dealer he got in handcuffs but right before that he gave
handcuffs but right before that he gave
handcuffs but right before that he gave me 25 thousand dollars he says Travis do
me 25 thousand dollars he says Travis do
me 25 thousand dollars he says Travis do not bail me out I deserve this and the
not bail me out I deserve this and the
not bail me out I deserve this and the police officer says yep you deserve this
police officer says yep you deserve this
police officer says yep you deserve this too you’re supposed to be in his car
too you’re supposed to be in his car
too you’re supposed to be in his car with him as for the transition point in
with him as for the transition point in
with him as for the transition point in my life I had an opportunity to go back
my life I had an opportunity to go back
my life I had an opportunity to go back home not everybody has that same
home not everybody has that same
home not everybody has that same opportunity had an opportunity to still
opportunity had an opportunity to still
opportunity had an opportunity to still pursue college in my dreams not every
pursue college in my dreams not every
pursue college in my dreams not every average child has an opportunity but
average child has an opportunity but
average child has an opportunity but what make the difference between me and
what make the difference between me and
what make the difference between me and the other at-risk students what
the other at-risk students what
the other at-risk students what made a difference between me going from
made a difference between me going from
made a difference between me going from at risk to action from those students
at risk to action from those students
at risk to action from those students just being at risk and accepting the
just being at risk and accepting the
just being at risk and accepting the label that was the empowerment that
label that was the empowerment that
label that was the empowerment that received my uncle see if we have more
received my uncle see if we have more
received my uncle see if we have more people like my uncle maybe less students
people like my uncle maybe less students
people like my uncle maybe less students especially our at-risk black males may
especially our at-risk black males may
especially our at-risk black males may be less will be going to police cars
be less will be going to police cars
be less will be going to police cars right now maybe 10 less students maybe
right now maybe 10 less students maybe
right now maybe 10 less students maybe 100 less students and maybe even a
100 less students and maybe even a
100 less students and maybe even a thousand less student by having that one
thousand less student by having that one
thousand less student by having that one person in their life to pull them back
person in their life to pull them back
person in their life to pull them back from the different dangers so by him
from the different dangers so by him
from the different dangers so by him listening to me he knew I was getting
listening to me he knew I was getting
listening to me he knew I was getting around around crowd says Travis I’m
around around crowd says Travis I’m
around around crowd says Travis I’m gonna do something for you I’m gonna
gonna do something for you I’m gonna
gonna do something for you I’m gonna take it up to another level I be your
take it up to another level I be your
take it up to another level I be your cheerleader I’ve been your counselor
cheerleader I’ve been your counselor
cheerleader I’ve been your counselor when I’m going to be a coach and
when I’m going to be a coach and
when I’m going to be a coach and coaching is different between
coaching is different between
coaching is different between cheerleading counseling because coaches
cheerleading counseling because coaches
cheerleading counseling because coaches give you access to what they have they
give you access to what they have they
give you access to what they have they let you wear their brand they put you a
let you wear their brand they put you a
let you wear their brand they put you a part of that team so after that
part of that team so after that
part of that team so after that experience he gave me this key and this
experience he gave me this key and this
experience he gave me this key and this was the key to the church dr. Tom 17
was the key to the church dr. Tom 17
was the key to the church dr. Tom 17 year old with the key to the church
year old with the key to the church
year old with the key to the church what’s going to happen now I would go
what’s going to happen now I would go
what’s going to happen now I would go into the church and i started doing
into the church and i started doing
into the church and i started doing something ironic i began to teach myself
something ironic i began to teach myself
something ironic i began to teach myself how to play the piano I would teach
how to play the piano I would teach
how to play the piano I would teach myself nope from note from note from
myself nope from note from note from
myself nope from note from note from note and every time ironically this key
note and every time ironically this key
note and every time ironically this key says access I had access to go into the
says access I had access to go into the
says access I had access to go into the church note from note for note black and
church note from note for note black and
church note from note for note black and white keys created the most color of my
white keys created the most color of my
white keys created the most color of my life I had the ability to take black and
life I had the ability to take black and
life I had the ability to take black and white keys and create color I could
white keys and create color I could
white keys and create color I could create something I have nothing I begin
create something I have nothing I begin
create something I have nothing I begin to listen to different songs and I get
to listen to different songs and I get
to listen to different songs and I get his plan in a matter of seconds I could
his plan in a matter of seconds I could
his plan in a matter of seconds I could hear it I began to to my ear and so my
hear it I began to to my ear and so my
hear it I began to to my ear and so my uncle has my coat she says no matter
uncle has my coat she says no matter
uncle has my coat she says no matter what you’re going through Travis you can
what you’re going through Travis you can
what you’re going through Travis you can come to the church and you can practice
come to the church and you can practice
come to the church and you can practice that piano
that piano
that piano by me learning how to play the piano it
by me learning how to play the piano it
by me learning how to play the piano it gave me a way of escape from being out
gave me a way of escape from being out
gave me a way of escape from being out in the streets gave me a way of escape
in the streets gave me a way of escape
in the streets gave me a way of escape if I wasn’t doing too good in school
if I wasn’t doing too good in school
if I wasn’t doing too good in school that particular time or maybe I can play
that particular time or maybe I can play
that particular time or maybe I can play the piano and kind of get certain things
the piano and kind of get certain things
the piano and kind of get certain things off my mind that skill expanded my mind
off my mind that skill expanded my mind
off my mind that skill expanded my mind I had the ability to learn more in math
I had the ability to learn more in math
I had the ability to learn more in math class learn more in English class
class learn more in English class
class learn more in English class because my brain began to expand my
because my brain began to expand my
because my brain began to expand my capacity began to stretch in order to
capacity began to stretch in order to
capacity began to stretch in order to receive information because of all the
receive information because of all the
receive information because of all the cheerleading and affirmation that I was
cheerleading and affirmation that I was
cheerleading and affirmation that I was getting and all of the counseling that I
getting and all of the counseling that I
getting and all of the counseling that I was getting of people listening to me I
was getting of people listening to me I
was getting of people listening to me I became greater in my mind I became
became greater in my mind I became
became greater in my mind I became greater in my heart my heart became
greater in my heart my heart became
greater in my heart my heart became bigger I began to receive more love
bigger I began to receive more love
bigger I began to receive more love therefore I could give more love I began
therefore I could give more love I began
therefore I could give more love I began to receive more information therefore I
to receive more information therefore I
to receive more information therefore I could get about more information so now
could get about more information so now
could get about more information so now I’m in the fourth quarter of this
I’m in the fourth quarter of this
I’m in the fourth quarter of this transition and my uncle is coaching me
transition and my uncle is coaching me
transition and my uncle is coaching me he says okay I know you don’t have
he says okay I know you don’t have
he says okay I know you don’t have enough to pay for the acct test come
enough to pay for the acct test come
enough to pay for the acct test come over to the house I must fight my credit
over to the house I must fight my credit
over to the house I must fight my credit card and I pay for the test and that’s
card and I pay for the test and that’s
card and I pay for the test and that’s what he did not only that I know you
what he did not only that I know you
what he did not only that I know you don’t have internet come over to my
don’t have internet come over to my
don’t have internet come over to my house you can use my computer that’s
house you can use my computer that’s
house you can use my computer that’s what he did great coaches they provide
what he did great coaches they provide
what he did great coaches they provide you with accessing resources they let
you with accessing resources they let
you with accessing resources they let you wear their brand they make you one
you wear their brand they make you one
you wear their brand they make you one of their own even called me his son so
of their own even called me his son so
of their own even called me his son so I’m taking my acct since this time my
I’m taking my acct since this time my
I’m taking my acct since this time my mind and stretch I have a greater
mind and stretch I have a greater
mind and stretch I have a greater capacity I have a lot more information I
capacity I have a lot more information I
capacity I have a lot more information I have the heart and I even wrote this
have the heart and I even wrote this
have the heart and I even wrote this song during this time for my last time
song during this time for my last time
song during this time for my last time I’m gonna take this test guys it was
I’m gonna take this test guys it was
I’m gonna take this test guys it was called I have the mind and the muscle
called I have the mind and the muscle
called I have the mind and the muscle got declined in the hustle got the heart
got declined in the hustle got the heart
got declined in the hustle got the heart of a champion yeah said I got the mind
of a champion yeah said I got the mind
of a champion yeah said I got the mind muscle crime hustle the heart of a
muscle crime hustle the heart of a
muscle crime hustle the heart of a champion I can’t stop until the casket
champion I can’t stop until the casket
champion I can’t stop until the casket drop no I won’t stop it to the casket
drop no I won’t stop it to the casket
drop no I won’t stop it to the casket drop no I wrote my own lyrics and I
drop no I wrote my own lyrics and I
drop no I wrote my own lyrics and I began to walk on my own words instead of
began to walk on my own words instead of
began to walk on my own words instead of the words of my friends instead of the
the words of my friends instead of the
the words of my friends instead of the words of social media instead of the
words of social media instead of the
words of social media instead of the words of
words of
words of stereotypes of young black males trying
stereotypes of young black males trying
stereotypes of young black males trying to achieve the goal of getting into
to achieve the goal of getting into
to achieve the goal of getting into higher education I walked on my own
higher education I walked on my own
higher education I walked on my own words in a very cool way on the seventh
words in a very cool way on the seventh
words in a very cool way on the seventh time guys I ended up I passed the test I
passed the test and when I passed the
passed the test and when I passed the test I remember calling my uncle and I
test I remember calling my uncle and I
test I remember calling my uncle and I said oh god oh my gosh here we go I got
said oh god oh my gosh here we go I got
said oh god oh my gosh here we go I got the scholarship letter I passed the test
the scholarship letter I passed the test
the scholarship letter I passed the test and I received in eighty thousand dollar
and I received in eighty thousand dollar
and I received in eighty thousand dollar scholarship room books board and tuition
scholarship room books board and tuition
scholarship room books board and tuition paid for the only thing I paid for was
paid for the only thing I paid for was
paid for the only thing I paid for was copied out of the coffee machine and
copied out of the coffee machine and
copied out of the coffee machine and we’re still working on that right now
we’re still working on that right now
we’re still working on that right now uh-huh we’re getting that squared away I
uh-huh we’re getting that squared away I
uh-huh we’re getting that squared away I received that scholarship through David
received that scholarship through David
received that scholarship through David and and Hicks have a wonderful family
and and Hicks have a wonderful family
and and Hicks have a wonderful family whose continue to empower me I had an
whose continue to empower me I had an
whose continue to empower me I had an opportunity through them to meet Richard
opportunity through them to meet Richard
opportunity through them to meet Richard Branson and get inspired by
Branson and get inspired by
Branson and get inspired by entrepreneurs and people who are
entrepreneurs and people who are
entrepreneurs and people who are visionaries inspirational leaders once
visionaries inspirational leaders once
visionaries inspirational leaders once again my mind began to stretch and my
again my mind began to stretch and my
again my mind began to stretch and my heart began the stretch I begin to
heart began the stretch I begin to
heart began the stretch I begin to receive more information and I begin to
receive more information and I begin to
receive more information and I begin to receive more love from people my
receive more love from people my
receive more love from people my readiness was increasing and my
readiness was increasing and my
readiness was increasing and my determination was increasing because my
determination was increasing because my
determination was increasing because my empowerment was increasing people
empowerment was increasing people
empowerment was increasing people cheering for me people counseling me and
cheering for me people counseling me and
cheering for me people counseling me and also people coaching me let me wear
also people coaching me let me wear
also people coaching me let me wear their brand saying you can be a part of
their brand saying you can be a part of
their brand saying you can be a part of me this is my first billboard at the age
me this is my first billboard at the age
me this is my first billboard at the age of 20 years old with three students in
of 20 years old with three students in
of 20 years old with three students in whom I became a cheerleader a counselor
whom I became a cheerleader a counselor
whom I became a cheerleader a counselor and a coach for they began to use the
and a coach for they began to use the
and a coach for they began to use the same skill of writing lyrics and they
same skill of writing lyrics and they
same skill of writing lyrics and they created a song for the National
created a song for the National
created a song for the National Everglades where we actually had a
Everglades where we actually had a
Everglades where we actually had a chance to create the first rap video for
chance to create the first rap video for
chance to create the first rap video for the Everglades hanging out with
the Everglades hanging out with
the Everglades hanging out with alligators and they gave us this awesome
alligators and they gave us this awesome
alligators and they gave us this awesome billboard as you see right here and
billboard as you see right here and
billboard as you see right here and there that time to students knew that
there that time to students knew that
there that time to students knew that they could write positive hip-hop music
they could write positive hip-hop music
they could write positive hip-hop music write positive hip-hop there
write positive hip-hop there
write positive hip-hop there because guess what I had the opportunity
because guess what I had the opportunity
because guess what I had the opportunity to do it myself my uncle even took it
to do it myself my uncle even took it
to do it myself my uncle even took it upon himself to expand and we invested
upon himself to expand and we invested
upon himself to expand and we invested $10,000 and actually got a music studio
$10,000 and actually got a music studio
$10,000 and actually got a music studio in our church so those same students had
in our church so those same students had
in our church so those same students had an opportunity when they had things
an opportunity when they had things
an opportunity when they had things going on that were dangerous such as
going on that were dangerous such as
going on that were dangerous such as selling drugs or even getting involved
selling drugs or even getting involved
selling drugs or even getting involved in violence they would come to the
in violence they would come to the
in violence they would come to the church and write music just like I did
church and write music just like I did
church and write music just like I did it had a safe place to go by my uncle
it had a safe place to go by my uncle
it had a safe place to go by my uncle being an empowerment person I became
being an empowerment person I became
being an empowerment person I became that person now so what happens when you
that person now so what happens when you
that person now so what happens when you increase your empowerment your readiness
increase your empowerment your readiness
increase your empowerment your readiness increases your determination increases
increases your determination increases
increases your determination increases and it overflows in the lives of others
and it overflows in the lives of others
and it overflows in the lives of others this is why it’s important for you to do
this is why it’s important for you to do
this is why it’s important for you to do the same for other people it can flow
the same for other people it can flow
the same for other people it can flow over into other people’s lives here are
over into other people’s lives here are
over into other people’s lives here are my two beautiful twins TJ and Bella
my two beautiful twins TJ and Bella
my two beautiful twins TJ and Bella that’s Bella on the Left TJ on the right
that’s Bella on the Left TJ on the right
that’s Bella on the Left TJ on the right and here’s miss mr. and mrs. Hicks and
and here’s miss mr. and mrs. Hicks and
and here’s miss mr. and mrs. Hicks and not only I was able to empower students
not only I was able to empower students
not only I was able to empower students in my community I was also be able to
in my community I was also be able to
in my community I was also be able to empower my own children as a father I
empower my own children as a father I
empower my own children as a father I was able to tell them that they could be
was able to tell them that they could be
was able to tell them that they could be ready in power and determined to and
ready in power and determined to and
ready in power and determined to and give them the love and Ethan provide for
give them the love and Ethan provide for
give them the love and Ethan provide for them like I really wanted to hear is TJ
them like I really wanted to hear is TJ
them like I really wanted to hear is TJ Bella not only when I graduate for my
Bella not only when I graduate for my
Bella not only when I graduate for my bachelor’s but even when I graduated
bachelor’s but even when I graduated
bachelor’s but even when I graduated with my master’s degree and they
with my master’s degree and they
with my master’s degree and they actually I have the hat on but they wore
actually I have the hat on but they wore
actually I have the hat on but they wore to have more than idea that day and TJ
to have more than idea that day and TJ
to have more than idea that day and TJ and Bella are now having an opportunity
and Bella are now having an opportunity
and Bella are now having an opportunity on night at six years old they’re
on night at six years old they’re
on night at six years old they’re actually helping other students learn
actually helping other students learn
actually helping other students learn how to read because they know how to
how to read because they know how to
how to read because they know how to read already and they’re helping other
read already and they’re helping other
read already and they’re helping other students get empowered they’re becoming
students get empowered they’re becoming
students get empowered they’re becoming cheerleaders if I’m incoming counselors
cheerleaders if I’m incoming counselors
cheerleaders if I’m incoming counselors and becoming coaches so this doesn’t
and becoming coaches so this doesn’t
and becoming coaches so this doesn’t just pertain to a certain age level this
just pertain to a certain age level this
just pertain to a certain age level this doesn’t just pertain to a certain type
doesn’t just pertain to a certain type
doesn’t just pertain to a certain type of demographic of skin color this
of demographic of skin color this
of demographic of skin color this doesn’t just pertain to your economic
doesn’t just pertain to your economic
doesn’t just pertain to your economic status everybody should play a part in
status everybody should play a part in
status everybody should play a part in empowering another person in your life
empowering another person in your life
empowering another person in your life you could be a cheerleader you could be
you could be a cheerleader you could be
you could be a cheerleader you could be a counselor you can be a coach for
a counselor you can be a coach for
a counselor you can be a coach for anybody here’s one of my new coaches in
anybody here’s one of my new coaches in
anybody here’s one of my new coaches in my life this is the visionary behind the
my life this is the visionary behind the
my life this is the visionary behind the st. John Townsend his name is Paisley
st. John Townsend his name is Paisley
st. John Townsend his name is Paisley Baldy Paisley boney put me in one of his
Baldy Paisley boney put me in one of his
Baldy Paisley boney put me in one of his articles and said
articles and said
articles and said inspired by me see when you become a
inspired by me see when you become a
inspired by me see when you become a cheerleader Council on the coach other
cheerleader Council on the coach other
cheerleader Council on the coach other people say I want to help you because
people say I want to help you because
people say I want to help you because you are helping other people and this is
you are helping other people and this is
you are helping other people and this is the way life should be helping others so
the way life should be helping others so
the way life should be helping others so that other people will want to help you
that other people will want to help you
that other people will want to help you help more help other people so how can
help more help other people so how can
help more help other people so how can you empower others well think about that
you empower others well think about that
you empower others well think about that one person that’s in your phone right
one person that’s in your phone right
one person that’s in your phone right now that you haven’t been a great
now that you haven’t been a great
now that you haven’t been a great cheerleader for counselor coach you said
cheerleader for counselor coach you said
cheerleader for counselor coach you said you know what maybe back to give this
you know what maybe back to give this
you know what maybe back to give this person is a little more affirmation
person is a little more affirmation
person is a little more affirmation today it may be somebody in your phone
today it may be somebody in your phone
today it may be somebody in your phone so you know what I want to listen to
so you know what I want to listen to
so you know what I want to listen to this person a little bit more to hear
this person a little bit more to hear
this person a little bit more to hear what they have going on it may be an
what they have going on it may be an
what they have going on it may be an at-risk student who in your neighborhood
at-risk student who in your neighborhood
at-risk student who in your neighborhood if we can cheer for a football game or
if we can cheer for a football game or
if we can cheer for a football game or we can be excited about things we see on
we can be excited about things we see on
we can be excited about things we see on TV we can be excited about our students
TV we can be excited about our students
TV we can be excited about our students who are going to be the future of our
who are going to be the future of our
who are going to be the future of our nation in the future of our world we
nation in the future of our world we
nation in the future of our world we want to begin to empower others because
want to begin to empower others because
want to begin to empower others because guess what if we empower others less
guess what if we empower others less
guess what if we empower others less people will drop the ball thank you so
people will drop the ball thank you so
people will drop the ball thank you so much enjoy this may be one less person
much enjoy this may be one less person
much enjoy this may be one less person Oh c.carter one less person will drop
Oh c.carter one less person will drop
Oh c.carter one less person will drop the ball thank you so much
”
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