so I am here to talk opportunity to be with some of your
opportunity to be with some of your
opportunity to be with some of your students last weekend at a PGA event
students last weekend at a PGA event
students last weekend at a PGA event talking about a dream that is bigger
talking about a dream that is bigger
talking about a dream that is bigger than me and one of the students asked if
than me and one of the students asked if
than me and one of the students asked if I could come and share not message again
I could come and share not message again
I could come and share not message again here today and so it’s a privilege to be
here today and so it’s a privilege to be
here today and so it’s a privilege to be with you tonight as I said I am an
with you tonight as I said I am an
with you tonight as I said I am an educator I have been an educator in the
educator I have been an educator in the
educator I have been an educator in the k-12 system for almost 26 years now and
part of my talk is really about how with
part of my talk is really about how with wetting blood to do and and as you think
wetting blood to do and and as you think
wetting blood to do and and as you think about a career especially if you are in
about a career especially if you are in
about a career especially if you are in high school and high school students you
high school and high school students you
high school and high school students you okay most of my curves the middle school
okay most of my curves the middle school
okay most of my curves the middle school in high school but as you think about a
in high school but as you think about a
in high school but as you think about a career and you think about your life
career and you think about your life
career and you think about your life beyond high school I’m going to
beyond high school I’m going to
beyond high school I’m going to challenge you today to think about
challenge you today to think about
challenge you today to think about dreaming a dream that’s bigger than this
dreaming a dream that’s bigger than this
dreaming a dream that’s bigger than this stuff bigger than the big house of the
stuff bigger than the big house of the
stuff bigger than the big house of the next car and the six-figure salary but
next car and the six-figure salary but
next car and the six-figure salary but thinking about dreaming a dream that
thinking about dreaming a dream that
thinking about dreaming a dream that will really impact your world whether
will really impact your world whether
will really impact your world whether that one’s is your neighborhood
that one’s is your neighborhood
that one’s is your neighborhood the world is your community the worlds
the world is your community the worlds
the world is your community the worlds of the state of Washington I want you to
of the state of Washington I want you to
of the state of Washington I want you to be thinking about today as I talk how
be thinking about today as I talk how
be thinking about today as I talk how can you use the skills and talent that
can you use the skills and talent that
can you use the skills and talent that you have to make a difference in the
you have to make a difference in the
you have to make a difference in the world that will not just put food on the
world that will not just put food on the
world that will not just put food on the table for your family but will really
table for your family but will really
table for your family but will really make a lifetime of difference
make a lifetime of difference
make a lifetime of difference so this first picture is of my campaign
so this first picture is of my campaign
so this first picture is of my campaign as she mentioned in the
as she mentioned in the
as she mentioned in the bye-bye oh I am the first
bye-bye oh I am the first
bye-bye oh I am the first african-american woman to run for a
african-american woman to run for a
african-american woman to run for a statewide office and executive office so
statewide office and executive office so
statewide office and executive office so those offices are things like governor
those offices are things like governor
those offices are things like governor lieutenant governor Secretary of State
lieutenant governor Secretary of State
lieutenant governor Secretary of State and this is one of my favorite picture
and this is one of my favorite picture
and this is one of my favorite picture and partly because men have you they’re
and partly because men have you they’re
and partly because men have you they’re gonna do the guy with the strongest copy
gonna do the guy with the strongest copy
gonna do the guy with the strongest copy but one of the things I believe is we
but one of the things I believe is we
but one of the things I believe is we can’t ever do anything great by
can’t ever do anything great by
can’t ever do anything great by ourselves that as we think about our
ourselves that as we think about our
ourselves that as we think about our future eyes we think about whatever work
future eyes we think about whatever work
future eyes we think about whatever work we decided to take on you need a team
we decided to take on you need a team
we decided to take on you need a team behind you and I love this
behind you and I love this
behind you and I love this representation of my campaign because it
representation of my campaign because it
representation of my campaign because it shows you the team and people this is
shows you the team and people this is
shows you the team and people this is just a small fraction of the team and
just a small fraction of the team and
just a small fraction of the team and people but I really got into this race
people but I really got into this race
people but I really got into this race not to be in charge of anyone but
not to be in charge of anyone but
not to be in charge of anyone but because I have believed sometimes 18
because I have believed sometimes 18
because I have believed sometimes 18 years old that I had a destiny to be a
years old that I had a destiny to be a
years old that I had a destiny to be a champion for kids that is my wife and I
champion for kids that is my wife and I
champion for kids that is my wife and I love yet how I ended up in the teaching
love yet how I ended up in the teaching
love yet how I ended up in the teaching field that’s not about what I thought
field that’s not about what I thought
field that’s not about what I thought Erica is going to do but as an adult I
Erica is going to do but as an adult I
Erica is going to do but as an adult I do I want to be a champion for change
do I want to be a champion for change
do I want to be a champion for change and so I decided to run for office not
and so I decided to run for office not
and so I decided to run for office not because I’ve ever wanted to be political
because I’ve ever wanted to be political
because I’ve ever wanted to be political but because I believed that the skills
but because I believed that the skills
but because I believed that the skills of talents that I develop there
of talents that I develop there
of talents that I develop there almost 46 years I can best leverage by
almost 46 years I can best leverage by
almost 46 years I can best leverage by running for office educator I want to
running for office educator I want to
running for office educator I want to talk to you about kind of how I got to
talk to you about kind of how I got to
talk to you about kind of how I got to this placement and the lesson that I’ve
this placement and the lesson that I’ve
this placement and the lesson that I’ve learned in the last almost 46 years of
learned in the last almost 46 years of
learned in the last almost 46 years of life and how I want you to think about
life and how I want you to think about
life and how I want you to think about applying it to whatever you decide to do
applying it to whatever you decide to do
applying it to whatever you decide to do with your life so there are three
with your life so there are three
with your life so there are three lessons that I talk about anytime I talk
lessons that I talk about anytime I talk
lessons that I talk about anytime I talk to get people in by the way since I lost
to get people in by the way since I lost
to get people in by the way since I lost my election I’ve spoken to over 35,000
my election I’ve spoken to over 35,000
my election I’ve spoken to over 35,000 students when you’re wired big enough
students when you’re wired big enough
students when you’re wired big enough losing the not stuffy and so I want to
losing the not stuffy and so I want to
losing the not stuffy and so I want to challenge you to think about that as
challenge you to think about that as
challenge you to think about that as well there are three lessons that I want
well there are three lessons that I want
well there are three lessons that I want you all to think analogous you use think
you all to think analogous you use think
you all to think analogous you use think about whatever you’re going to do in
about whatever you’re going to do in
about whatever you’re going to do in your careers those of you who are adults
your careers those of you who are adults
your careers those of you who are adults I even want to challenge you to think
I even want to challenge you to think
I even want to challenge you to think about this number one it doesn’t matter
about this number one it doesn’t matter
about this number one it doesn’t matter race started – we finish number two
race started – we finish number two
race started – we finish number two every choice you make matters and every
every choice you make matters and every
every choice you make matters and every greatness is really not about being rich
greatness is really not about being rich
greatness is really not about being rich and famous greatness is about using the
and famous greatness is about using the
and famous greatness is about using the talents that you have Kiana’s just
talents that you have Kiana’s just
talents that you have Kiana’s just acquiring stuff for yourself really
acquiring stuff for yourself really
acquiring stuff for yourself really investing those talents and those skills
investing those talents and those skills
investing those talents and those skills and those gifts that you’ve been given
and those gifts that you’ve been given
and those gifts that you’ve been given into your community and so what I want
into your community and so what I want
into your community and so what I want to do is in a brief segment tell you my
to do is in a brief segment tell you my
to do is in a brief segment tell you my story and how I learned those lessons
story and how I learned those lessons
story and how I learned those lessons along the way so when you look at me
along the way so when you look at me
along the way so when you look at me today
today
today see a woman who has been to the White
see a woman who has been to the White
see a woman who has been to the White House I met President Obama and then
House I met President Obama and then
House I met President Obama and then received an award from President Obama I
received an award from President Obama I
received an award from President Obama I met people like Richard Sherman and Pete
met people like Richard Sherman and Pete
met people like Richard Sherman and Pete Carroll I played basketball the guy
Carroll I played basketball the guy
Carroll I played basketball the guy named dr. J I don’t know if any of you
named dr. J I don’t know if any of you
named dr. J I don’t know if any of you played basketball in here but one of the
played basketball in here but one of the
played basketball in here but one of the greatest NBA superstars and I’ve met
greatest NBA superstars and I’ve met
greatest NBA superstars and I’ve met pregnancy but I’ve had the opportunity
pregnancy but I’ve had the opportunity
pregnancy but I’ve had the opportunity to sing with some pretty amazing people
to sing with some pretty amazing people
to sing with some pretty amazing people and so I’ve done a lot of work but my
and so I’ve done a lot of work but my
and so I’ve done a lot of work but my realities I started like as a foster hit
realities I started like as a foster hit
realities I started like as a foster hit so this is the first picture that I have
so this is the first picture that I have
so this is the first picture that I have as me but this is actually not my birth
as me but this is actually not my birth
as me but this is actually not my birth father my birth father was a black
father my birth father was a black
father my birth father was a black period and my mother was a white woman
period and my mother was a white woman
period and my mother was a white woman and she was not allowed to keep me so I
and she was not allowed to keep me so I
and she was not allowed to keep me so I started life as an orphan that’s why the
started life as an orphan that’s why the
started life as an orphan that’s why the first lesson is it doesn’t matter where
first lesson is it doesn’t matter where
first lesson is it doesn’t matter where you started my research I think a lot of
you started my research I think a lot of
you started my research I think a lot of times we make excuses for why I can’t
times we make excuses for why I can’t
times we make excuses for why I can’t Sequeira greatness because of this or
Sequeira greatness because of this or
Sequeira greatness because of this or that and parents got divorced and
that and parents got divorced and
that and parents got divorced and something happened somebody died on my
something happened somebody died on my
something happened somebody died on my family and what I want to tell you is
family and what I want to tell you is
family and what I want to tell you is not that these things don’t matter but
not that these things don’t matter but
not that these things don’t matter but don’t ever allow something that happened
don’t ever allow something that happened
don’t ever allow something that happened last year or 10 years are going to stop
last year or 10 years are going to stop
last year or 10 years are going to stop you from being great this year or next
you from being great this year or next
you from being great this year or next year and so this guy and his wife
year and so this guy and his wife
year and so this guy and his wife decided to adopt me here’s my mom they
decided to adopt me here’s my mom they
decided to adopt me here’s my mom they look so much like her but these two who
look so much like her but these two who
look so much like her but these two who had seen black people from a distance
had seen black people from a distance
had seen black people from a distance but had never actually met a black
but had never actually met a black
but had never actually met a black person before made a very conscious
person before made a very conscious
person before made a very conscious choice to adopt children that no one
choice to adopt children that no one
choice to adopt children that no one wanted and that would be and then about
wanted and that would be and then about
wanted and that would be and then about a year and a half later that was my
a year and a half later that was my
a year and a half later that was my little brother he’s not my biological
little brother he’s not my biological
little brother he’s not my biological siblings of but he and I were were both
siblings of but he and I were were both
siblings of but he and I were were both adopted both unwanted kids and you know
adopted both unwanted kids and you know
adopted both unwanted kids and you know when I think about adoption today I’m
when I think about adoption today I’m
when I think about adoption today I’m going to talk to young people who’ve
going to talk to young people who’ve
going to talk to young people who’ve been adopted I was chosen by family and
been adopted I was chosen by family and
been adopted I was chosen by family and I see that incredible gifts and so we
I see that incredible gifts and so we
I see that incredible gifts and so we became the only black children and our
became the only black children and our
became the only black children and our entire county so imagine all of King
entire county so imagine all of King
entire county so imagine all of King County two of us people wanted to touch
County two of us people wanted to touch
County two of us people wanted to touch our hair all the time and by the way do
our hair all the time and by the way do
our hair all the time and by the way do not ever touch a black person’s hair
not ever touch a black person’s hair
not ever touch a black person’s hair there we go no guess okay
there we go no guess okay
there we go no guess okay great imagine being the only one who
great imagine being the only one who
great imagine being the only one who looks like you all the time is a very
looks like you all the time is a very
looks like you all the time is a very difficult thing of the brain difficult
difficult thing of the brain difficult
difficult thing of the brain difficult thing for my parents and so when I was a
thing for my parents and so when I was a
thing for my parents and so when I was a really young child my father came home
really young child my father came home
really young child my father came home from work one day he was a seventh grade
from work one day he was a seventh grade
from work one day he was a seventh grade math teacher and he announced to our
math teacher and he announced to our
math teacher and he announced to our family
family
family we’re moving to the Netherlands you know
we’re moving to the Netherlands you know
we’re moving to the Netherlands you know as a five year old I want you to imagine
as a five year old I want you to imagine
as a five year old I want you to imagine being fine when I heard Netherlands
being fine when I heard Netherlands
being fine when I heard Netherlands I heard Neverland so if y’all going on
I heard Neverland so if y’all going on
I heard Neverland so if y’all going on talking about Peter Pan right that
talking about Peter Pan right that
talking about Peter Pan right that sounds like a great place to move to
sounds like a great place to move to
sounds like a great place to move to that’s not where we’re moving we’re
that’s not where we’re moving we’re
that’s not where we’re moving we’re moving to the country at the Netherlands
moving to the country at the Netherlands
moving to the country at the Netherlands but when you’re fine you have no idea
but when you’re fine you have no idea
but when you’re fine you have no idea you know my mother tried to explain
you know my mother tried to explain
you know my mother tried to explain where this place was across the ocean
where this place was across the ocean
where this place was across the ocean when you’re in Minnesota you don’t know
when you’re in Minnesota you don’t know
when you’re in Minnesota you don’t know what an ocean is you don’t know what
what an ocean is you don’t know what
what an ocean is you don’t know what Europe is and so we just got on a plane
Europe is and so we just got on a plane
Europe is and so we just got on a plane for 15 hours and ended up in this place
for 15 hours and ended up in this place
for 15 hours and ended up in this place that we had never seen before my parents
that we had never seen before my parents
that we had never seen before my parents have never left the United States before
have never left the United States before
have never left the United States before and suddenly here we were in this other
and suddenly here we were in this other
and suddenly here we were in this other country and it became an incredible
country and it became an incredible
country and it became an incredible experience for us what my father didn’t
experience for us what my father didn’t
experience for us what my father didn’t know when he took that job as a teacher
know when he took that job as a teacher
know when he took that job as a teacher at the American School of The Hague that
at the American School of The Hague that
at the American School of The Hague that is one of the best schools in the world
is one of the best schools in the world
is one of the best schools in the world and today that school for kindergarten
and today that school for kindergarten
and today that school for kindergarten costs $35,000 a year but I went for free
costs $35,000 a year but I went for free
costs $35,000 a year but I went for free and my brother went for free because my
and my brother went for free because my
and my brother went for free because my father was a teacher there and so we
father was a teacher there and so we
father was a teacher there and so we have this incredible gift to be able to
have this incredible gift to be able to
have this incredible gift to be able to sit next to really powerful people’s
sit next to really powerful people’s
sit next to really powerful people’s children and it was an event that would
children and it was an event that would
children and it was an event that would take place next nine years we’ll have to
take place next nine years we’ll have to
take place next nine years we’ll have to change the rest of my life and still
change the rest of my life and still
change the rest of my life and still inform the item today whatever nine
inform the item today whatever nine
inform the item today whatever nine years old
years old
years old the princess of the country of Egypt
the princess of the country of Egypt
the princess of the country of Egypt came to live in high school and she came
came to live in high school and she came
came to live in high school and she came to talk about peace because Egypt was
to talk about peace because Egypt was
to talk about peace because Egypt was not at peace at all at the time and she
not at peace at all at the time and she
not at peace at all at the time and she wanted to challenge young people to
wanted to challenge young people to
wanted to challenge young people to begin to think about becoming world
begin to think about becoming world
begin to think about becoming world changers and so she came to our school
changers and so she came to our school
changers and so she came to our school she shared her story and by the way her
she shared her story and by the way her
she shared her story and by the way her husband was assassinated
husband was assassinated
husband was assassinated later but she had this dream of
later but she had this dream of
later but she had this dream of challenging young people to think about
challenging young people to think about
challenging young people to think about pithan and once you’ve done speaking the
pithan and once you’ve done speaking the
pithan and once you’ve done speaking the fourth-grade teacher picked three little
fourth-grade teacher picked three little
fourth-grade teacher picked three little kids to have lunch with her and I got
kids to have lunch with her and I got
kids to have lunch with her and I got chosen to eat lunch of the princess
chosen to eat lunch of the princess
chosen to eat lunch of the princess abusers and Here I am a little
abusers and Here I am a little
abusers and Here I am a little nine-year-old kid mistake down to lunch
nine-year-old kid mistake down to lunch
nine-year-old kid mistake down to lunch and she’s sitting right next to me she
and she’s sitting right next to me she
and she’s sitting right next to me she said so Aaron how are you going to
said so Aaron how are you going to
said so Aaron how are you going to change the world that may seem like an
change the world that may seem like an
change the world that may seem like an odd question tonkin nine-year-old and
odd question tonkin nine-year-old and
odd question tonkin nine-year-old and most of my girls wouldn’t have an answer
most of my girls wouldn’t have an answer
most of my girls wouldn’t have an answer to that question but I did because in my
to that question but I did because in my
to that question but I did because in my class at that time that nine-year-old is
class at that time that nine-year-old is
class at that time that nine-year-old is a little girl from Israel and in the
a little girl from Israel and in the
a little girl from Israel and in the prospects for today is a little boy from
prospects for today is a little boy from
prospects for today is a little boy from Palestine and I can started teaching
Palestine and I can started teaching
Palestine and I can started teaching myself Arabic and Hebrew at 9 years old
myself Arabic and Hebrew at 9 years old
myself Arabic and Hebrew at 9 years old because I knew that I wanted to fix the
because I knew that I wanted to fix the
because I knew that I wanted to fix the problem in their country and I knew
problem in their country and I knew
problem in their country and I knew instinctively that I was going to fix
instinctively that I was going to fix
instinctively that I was going to fix their puzzle I needed to speak their
their puzzle I needed to speak their
their puzzle I needed to speak their language and so here I was at 9 years
language and so here I was at 9 years
language and so here I was at 9 years old sitting and princess of Egypt
old sitting and princess of Egypt
old sitting and princess of Egypt telling her I’m learning Arabic and even
telling her I’m learning Arabic and even
telling her I’m learning Arabic and even and I’m going to change the middle-east
and I’m going to change the middle-east
and I’m going to change the middle-east and here’s what she said to me she
and here’s what she said to me she
and here’s what she said to me she pointed at me and she said
pointed at me and she said
pointed at me and she said and our world changing there’s no type
and our world changing there’s no type
and our world changing there’s no type as a nine-year-old little girl when I
as a nine-year-old little girl when I
as a nine-year-old little girl when I press s points that use it you are a
press s points that use it you are a
press s points that use it you are a world changer gets when you believe her
world changer gets when you believe her
world changer gets when you believe her and I believe that princess Saturday and
and I believe that princess Saturday and
and I believe that princess Saturday and I went back to my fourth grade teacher
I went back to my fourth grade teacher
I went back to my fourth grade teacher and I said to him is impregnated okay
and I said to him is impregnated okay
and I said to him is impregnated okay probably the princess of Egypt just told
probably the princess of Egypt just told
probably the princess of Egypt just told me I’m a world changer what do I need to
me I’m a world changer what do I need to
me I’m a world changer what do I need to do new and my teacher who I know mail
do new and my teacher who I know mail
do new and my teacher who I know mail had no idea what to say
had no idea what to say
had no idea what to say went into her desk drawer and she pulled
went into her desk drawer and she pulled
went into her desk drawer and she pulled out a packet of 50 pages infraction and
out a packet of 50 pages infraction and
out a packet of 50 pages infraction and she gave it to me
she gave it to me
she gave it to me and I was so serious about with the
and I was so serious about with the
and I was so serious about with the princess attack but I came home is it
princess attack but I came home is it
princess attack but I came home is it all fifty pages of fractions that made
all fifty pages of fractions that made
all fifty pages of fractions that made my kid back the next day and I said okay
my kid back the next day and I said okay
my kid back the next day and I said okay what now and she was like you did all
what now and she was like you did all
what now and she was like you did all six it really said you told me that’s
six it really said you told me that’s
six it really said you told me that’s how we’re going to change the world and
how we’re going to change the world and
how we’re going to change the world and she gave me another pack if it’s a
she gave me another pack if it’s a
she gave me another pack if it’s a pencil brush and here’s a lesson that I
pencil brush and here’s a lesson that I
pencil brush and here’s a lesson that I learned in that ten by the way by the
learned in that ten by the way by the
learned in that ten by the way by the end of fourth grade and I sent over
end of fourth grade and I sent over
end of fourth grade and I sent over occasional project as serious about
occasional project as serious about
occasional project as serious about changing the world so here’s the lesson
changing the world so here’s the lesson
changing the world so here’s the lesson that I learned that I want you to take
that I learned that I want you to take
that I learned that I want you to take away with you being average is
away with you being average is
away with you being average is absolutely simple anyone can be average
absolutely simple anyone can be average
absolutely simple anyone can be average be great require stood with others will
be great require stood with others will
be great require stood with others will not do and so instead of think of the
not do and so instead of think of the
not do and so instead of think of the playground out here I made a decision
playground out here I made a decision
playground out here I made a decision I’m going to become a great competition
I’m going to become a great competition
I’m going to become a great competition and that would open the door to places
and that would open the door to places
and that would open the door to places like Princeton later down the road and
like Princeton later down the road and
like Princeton later down the road and open the door taking college math
open the door taking college math
open the door taking college math classes at the high school student and
classes at the high school student and
classes at the high school student and that would open doors for me
that would open doors for me
that would open doors for me and so here is this little nine-year-old
and so here is this little nine-year-old
and so here is this little nine-year-old girl who said to me is all about to to
girl who said to me is all about to to
girl who said to me is all about to to the world an 18 I came to America to go
the world an 18 I came to America to go
the world an 18 I came to America to go to college and I ended up at at Bryn
to college and I ended up at at Bryn
to college and I ended up at at Bryn Mawr College which is a assistance
Mawr College which is a assistance
Mawr College which is a assistance Milton Princeton University I got
Milton Princeton University I got
Milton Princeton University I got accepted at Princeton by bring our
accepted at Princeton by bring our
accepted at Princeton by bring our gaming for money the longer that Lincoln
gaming for money the longer that Lincoln
gaming for money the longer that Lincoln where you’re going to college to me and
where you’re going to college to me and
where you’re going to college to me and for those of you in high school do not
for those of you in high school do not
for those of you in high school do not go to a college you have not visited I
go to a college you have not visited I
go to a college you have not visited I did not have money to visit this college
did not have money to visit this college
did not have money to visit this college and it was not a place that was quite
and it was not a place that was quite
and it was not a place that was quite ready for me I learned but but but I’ll
ready for me I learned but but but I’ll
ready for me I learned but but but I’ll be real with you
be real with you
be real with you when I got to my college in 1989 there
when I got to my college in 1989 there
when I got to my college in 1989 there was a sign right off campus at the golf
was a sign right off campus at the golf
was a sign right off campus at the golf course right next door that said no
course right next door that said no
course right next door that said no coloreds or Jews allow acute nineteen
coloreds or Jews allow acute nineteen
coloreds or Jews allow acute nineteen eighty and by the way the Sun came down
eighty and by the way the Sun came down
eighty and by the way the Sun came down in 2004 and I want you to imagine being
in 2004 and I want you to imagine being
in 2004 and I want you to imagine being a color girl and every time I left
a color girl and every time I left
a color girl and every time I left campus being reminded we don’t really
campus being reminded we don’t really
campus being reminded we don’t really want your car
want your car
want your car here and that was a very difficult thing
here and that was a very difficult thing
here and that was a very difficult thing for me I came to America planning to go
for me I came to America planning to go
for me I came to America planning to go to a great college and go back home to
to a great college and go back home to
to a great college and go back home to the United Nations and change the world
the United Nations and change the world
the United Nations and change the world and in my first year of college I
and in my first year of college I
and in my first year of college I thought about killing myself I didn’t
thought about killing myself I didn’t
thought about killing myself I didn’t know how to deal with having people
know how to deal with having people
know how to deal with having people represent believing me but something
represent believing me but something
represent believing me but something would happen that freshman year that
would happen that freshman year that
would happen that freshman year that would again it changed my life it was
would again it changed my life it was
would again it changed my life it was the summer after my question of college
the summer after my question of college
the summer after my question of college when I really felt like maybe I’m a
when I really felt like maybe I’m a
when I really felt like maybe I’m a mistake maybe I’m dumb Polly as smart as
mistake maybe I’m dumb Polly as smart as
mistake maybe I’m dumb Polly as smart as I think I am baby and the black
I think I am baby and the black
I think I am baby and the black probability can’t change the world and
probability can’t change the world and
probability can’t change the world and one day I went for a walk in my
one day I went for a walk in my
one day I went for a walk in my community and I ended up walking outside
community and I ended up walking outside
community and I ended up walking outside of my college town into a little tiny
of my college town into a little tiny
of my college town into a little tiny town with the black community and all
town with the black community and all
town with the black community and all the people in that community would serve
the people in that community would serve
the people in that community would serve as Maine some servants and house boys
as Maine some servants and house boys
as Maine some servants and house boys and drivers for the white people who
and drivers for the white people who
and drivers for the white people who lived in the mansions and my college
lived in the mansions and my college
lived in the mansions and my college town and right in the middle of that
town and right in the middle of that
town and right in the middle of that community that day a guy named dr. day
community that day a guy named dr. day
community that day a guy named dr. day is playing basketball with his since
is playing basketball with his since
is playing basketball with his since midnight I haven’t worked and they
midnight I haven’t worked and they
midnight I haven’t worked and they stopped me come in and they said it was
stopped me come in and they said it was
stopped me come in and they said it was like well are we doin work and my place
like well are we doin work and my place
like well are we doin work and my place would change not on that back him up
would change not on that back him up
would change not on that back him up but afterwards on the sidelines but I
but afterwards on the sidelines but I
but afterwards on the sidelines but I stopped the six young black boys not one
stopped the six young black boys not one
stopped the six young black boys not one of them still in high school not one of
of them still in high school not one of
of them still in high school not one of them plans to go back to high school and
them plans to go back to high school and
them plans to go back to high school and when I asked each of these boys what do
when I asked each of these boys what do
when I asked each of these boys what do you plan to do with your life as an
you plan to do with your life as an
you plan to do with your life as an adult and not one of those boys believe
adult and not one of those boys believe
adult and not one of those boys believe she was going to live to be 21 it was on
she was going to live to be 21 it was on
she was going to live to be 21 it was on the sidelines that day when I read I
the sidelines that day when I read I
the sidelines that day when I read I have so much to offer the world
have so much to offer the world
have so much to offer the world and I know exactly how I’m going to
and I know exactly how I’m going to
and I know exactly how I’m going to change the world I know that I would
change the world I know that I would
change the world I know that I would make black and whites European and
make black and whites European and
make black and whites European and American athlete an academic for a
American athlete an academic for a
American athlete an academic for a reason and I made a decision on the side
reason and I made a decision on the side
reason and I made a decision on the side of that basketball court that day I will
of that basketball court that day I will
of that basketball court that day I will use my life to make sure that everything
use my life to make sure that everything
use my life to make sure that everything in this country gets better education to
in this country gets better education to
in this country gets better education to be a tune in for kids and since then I
be a tune in for kids and since then I
be a tune in for kids and since then I married my husband mrs. lips that said
married my husband mrs. lips that said
married my husband mrs. lips that said and this is my husband and if you all
and this is my husband and if you all
and this is my husband and if you all live in this community and watched
live in this community and watched
live in this community and watched television he promising his brother
television he promising his brother
television he promising his brother Jesse Jones Cairo news and that’s my
Jesse Jones Cairo news and that’s my
Jesse Jones Cairo news and that’s my husband’s older little brother and these
husband’s older little brother and these
husband’s older little brother and these are mom and dad now these are my kids
are mom and dad now these are my kids
are mom and dad now these are my kids and I message for my kids and my kids
and I message for my kids and my kids
and I message for my kids and my kids have each have their own struggles like
have each have their own struggles like
have each have their own struggles like my oldest son is has something called
my oldest son is has something called
my oldest son is has something called dysgraphia he can translate with
dysgraphia he can translate with
dysgraphia he can translate with – paper my youngest son has something
– paper my youngest son has something
– paper my youngest son has something called Asperger’s and really struggles
called Asperger’s and really struggles
called Asperger’s and really struggles with social interaction my daughter
with social interaction my daughter
with social interaction my daughter who’s right up front and was abandoned
who’s right up front and was abandoned
who’s right up front and was abandoned by her mother and then her mother died
by her mother and then her mother died
by her mother and then her mother died when she was 9 years old her father just
when she was 9 years old her father just
when she was 9 years old her father just got remember after 27 years my kids have
got remember after 27 years my kids have
got remember after 27 years my kids have had every reason to not be successful
had every reason to not be successful
had every reason to not be successful and again I’m going to go back to my
and again I’m going to go back to my
and again I’m going to go back to my first lesson it doesn’t matter where you
first lesson it doesn’t matter where you
first lesson it doesn’t matter where you start about as we finish when my son was
start about as we finish when my son was
start about as we finish when my son was in 10th grade
in 10th grade
in 10th grade he’s a mom I have all these images in my
he’s a mom I have all these images in my
he’s a mom I have all these images in my head that I want to draw but I am how to
head that I want to draw but I am how to
head that I want to draw but I am how to draw can i take an art class so this is
draw can i take an art class so this is
draw can i take an art class so this is from his very first art project whoops
well we’re going to there’s this very
well we’re going to there’s this very first art project and it’s called a
first art project and it’s called a
first art project and it’s called a brainstorm and if you like to lighting
brainstorm and if you like to lighting
brainstorm and if you like to lighting video things and playing video games
video things and playing video games
video things and playing video games better so he let it’s video things you
better so he let it’s video things you
better so he let it’s video things you don’t just play they advance he designs
don’t just play they advance he designs
don’t just play they advance he designs they again
they again
they again and this is the story of how he creates
and this is the story of how he creates
and this is the story of how he creates them he makes them this guy at rings on
them he makes them this guy at rings on
them he makes them this guy at rings on to the ground and his characters are
to the ground and his characters are
to the ground and his characters are coming up a diagram and here comes one
coming up a diagram and here comes one
coming up a diagram and here comes one of his four hundred characters that he
of his four hundred characters that he
of his four hundred characters that he created he is now Harvey by college on a
created he is now Harvey by college on a
created he is now Harvey by college on a fifteen thousand dollar scholarship
fifteen thousand dollar scholarship
fifteen thousand dollar scholarship studying computer science and
studying computer science and
studying computer science and mathematics my daughter who I told you
mathematics my daughter who I told you
mathematics my daughter who I told you lost her mother at nine years old this
lost her mother at nine years old this
lost her mother at nine years old this is her on her way she had she had the
is her on her way she had she had the
is her on her way she had she had the opportunity to go to Broadway and
opportunity to go to Broadway and
opportunity to go to Broadway and perform in a competition
perform in a competition
perform in a competition at 17 years old she is now a junior in
at 17 years old she is now a junior in
at 17 years old she is now a junior in college this little girl who lost her
college this little girl who lost her
college this little girl who lost her mother and his father was in prison for
mother and his father was in prison for
mother and his father was in prison for 27 years and now I’m talking about
27 years and now I’m talking about
27 years and now I’m talking about graduate school it is a very start and
graduate school it is a very start and
graduate school it is a very start and matters being finished and your choices
matters being finished and your choices
matters being finished and your choices absolutely matter my oldest son who
absolutely matter my oldest son who
absolutely matter my oldest son who unfortunately was called stupid
unfortunately was called stupid
unfortunately was called stupid to Windows 8 because he couldn’t break
to Windows 8 because he couldn’t break
to Windows 8 because he couldn’t break this is him on his way to audition for
this is him on his way to audition for
this is him on his way to audition for the show the voice with the producers in
the show the voice with the producers in
the show the voice with the producers in Los Angeles and he’s also had the
Los Angeles and he’s also had the
Los Angeles and he’s also had the opportunity to sing an operetta at
opportunity to sing an operetta at
opportunity to sing an operetta at Carnegie Hall News 14 your choices
Carnegie Hall News 14 your choices
Carnegie Hall News 14 your choices absolutely matter each one of you and
absolutely matter each one of you and
absolutely matter each one of you and each one of you has greatness inside of
each one of you has greatness inside of
each one of you has greatness inside of me and so I wanna challenge you today
me and so I wanna challenge you today
me and so I wanna challenge you today and think about how can you take that
and think about how can you take that
and think about how can you take that greatness and allow it to impact your
greatness and allow it to impact your
greatness and allow it to impact your world one of the ways that I got to
world one of the ways that I got to
world one of the ways that I got to impact my world
impact my world
impact my world basketball I played basketball farm is
basketball I played basketball farm is
basketball I played basketball farm is 41 years and it love sees it as a
41 years and it love sees it as a
41 years and it love sees it as a vehicle to inspire and encourage young
vehicle to inspire and encourage young
vehicle to inspire and encourage young people I’m going to encourage each of
people I’m going to encourage each of
people I’m going to encourage each of you to find a picture of someone who
you to find a picture of someone who
you to find a picture of someone who motivates you someone that you aspire to
motivates you someone that you aspire to
motivates you someone that you aspire to be like if this guy next to me is a was
be like if this guy next to me is a was
be like if this guy next to me is a was the Secretary of Education for armed for
the Secretary of Education for armed for
the Secretary of Education for armed for President Obama when I got my award
President Obama when I got my award
President Obama when I got my award dependent that you know what this is a
dependent that you know what this is a
dependent that you know what this is a dog that once a day so I see this
dog that once a day so I see this
dog that once a day so I see this picture everything it’s my reminder
picture everything it’s my reminder
picture everything it’s my reminder here’s my life in a dream a dream this
here’s my life in a dream a dream this
here’s my life in a dream a dream this bigger than me doesn’t be shaken the end
bigger than me doesn’t be shaken the end
bigger than me doesn’t be shaken the end of a value might have
look again right this is not about rich
look again right this is not about rich and famous it’s not you guys you could
and famous it’s not you guys you could
and famous it’s not you guys you could have all many of the world’s how are you
have all many of the world’s how are you
have all many of the world’s how are you investing it they sent some of the
investing it they sent some of the
investing it they sent some of the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet
people I’ve had the opportunity to meet
people I’ve had the opportunity to meet you are investing and their community
you are investing and their community
you are investing and their community Stevie Wonder the back is made fresh
Stevie Wonder the back is made fresh
Stevie Wonder the back is made fresh pensive out there this is Tatyana Ali
pensive out there this is Tatyana Ali
pensive out there this is Tatyana Ali the guns with the sister these are some
the guns with the sister these are some
the guns with the sister these are some young ladies too
young ladies too
young ladies too I met when they were freshmen in high
I met when they were freshmen in high
I met when they were freshmen in high school who are now they’re all
school who are now they’re all
school who are now they’re all first-generation college students and
first-generation college students and
first-generation college students and all on full rights ownership cicadas
all on full rights ownership cicadas
all on full rights ownership cicadas today because they decided to not allow
today because they decided to not allow
today because they decided to not allow the past to define who they would be in
the past to define who they would be in
the past to define who they would be in the future they all made a decision we
the future they all made a decision we
the future they all made a decision we are going to invest it ourselves and
are going to invest it ourselves and
are going to invest it ourselves and then we’re going to invest back in our
then we’re going to invest back in our
then we’re going to invest back in our community and the last picture I think
community and the last picture I think
community and the last picture I think is just a friend than somebody who might
is just a friend than somebody who might
is just a friend than somebody who might know that I had the opportunity to meet
know that I had the opportunity to meet
know that I had the opportunity to meet about three weeks before they want to
about three weeks before they want to
about three weeks before they want to sick of all here’s where I have this
sick of all here’s where I have this
sick of all here’s where I have this picture and I am an athlete and I
picture and I am an athlete and I
picture and I am an athlete and I athletics but I think just because
athletics but I think just because
athletics but I think just because you’re a great athlete doesn’t make you
you’re a great athlete doesn’t make you
you’re a great athlete doesn’t make you a great question the reason I have this
a great question the reason I have this
a great question the reason I have this picture is Richard Sherman the scheduled
picture is Richard Sherman the scheduled
picture is Richard Sherman the scheduled to come to my high school and two of our
to come to my high school and two of our
to come to my high school and two of our boys are football players where the
boys are football players where the
boys are football players where the father was killed the night before
father was killed the night before
father was killed the night before Richard Sherman was scheduled to come to
Richard Sherman was scheduled to come to
Richard Sherman was scheduled to come to school and when Richard Sherman heard
school and when Richard Sherman heard
school and when Richard Sherman heard that these two boys were football
that these two boys were football
that these two boys were football players had lost their father he made a
players had lost their father he made a
players had lost their father he made a conscious choice to come an hour early
conscious choice to come an hour early
conscious choice to come an hour early before his presentation and just love on
before his presentation and just love on
before his presentation and just love on these two boys and invest in them he
these two boys and invest in them he
these two boys and invest in them he gives away hundreds of thousands of his
gives away hundreds of thousands of his
gives away hundreds of thousands of his own dollars to feed and clothe students
own dollars to feed and clothe students
own dollars to feed and clothe students and became community and that’s who I
and became community and that’s who I
and became community and that’s who I want to challenge you to whatever it is
want to challenge you to whatever it is
want to challenge you to whatever it is that your gift is whatever your
that your gift is whatever your
that your gift is whatever your greatness is you all have it I’m going
greatness is you all have it I’m going
greatness is you all have it I’m going to challenge you to think about how can
to challenge you to think about how can
to challenge you to think about how can you reinvest that back in your community
you reinvest that back in your community
you reinvest that back in your community again it’s not about the stuff not about
again it’s not about the stuff not about
again it’s not about the stuff not about having the big house how could you dream
having the big house how could you dream
having the big house how could you dream a drink that’s bigger than you doesn’t
a drink that’s bigger than you doesn’t
a drink that’s bigger than you doesn’t matter where you start imagine a finish
matter where you start imagine a finish
matter where you start imagine a finish every choice you make that and again
every choice you make that and again
every choice you make that and again greatness is not about reimbursing
greatness is not about reimbursing
greatness is not about reimbursing things it’s about choosing to invest
things it’s about choosing to invest
things it’s about choosing to invest yourself and your community
yourself and your community
yourself and your community thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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