[Music] I should not be here tonight my destiny
I should not be here tonight my destiny
I should not be here tonight my destiny was to be dead by the time I was 21
was to be dead by the time I was 21
was to be dead by the time I was 21 years old or to do life in prison
years old or to do life in prison
years old or to do life in prison without parole
without parole
without parole you see I was born in the Vario the
you see I was born in the Vario the
you see I was born in the Vario the barrio of the hood of East Los Angeles
barrio of the hood of East Los Angeles
barrio of the hood of East Los Angeles and I was born into poverty as a child I
and I was born into poverty as a child I
and I was born into poverty as a child I slept on a smelly mattress on a concrete
slept on a smelly mattress on a concrete
slept on a smelly mattress on a concrete floor in a musty basement or at
floor in a musty basement or at
floor in a musty basement or at nighttime you hear the sounds of
nighttime you hear the sounds of
nighttime you hear the sounds of mousetraps popping or I be woken at
mousetraps popping or I be woken at
mousetraps popping or I be woken at midnight or such by the scratch of the
midnight or such by the scratch of the
midnight or such by the scratch of the little feet across my or in my back in
little feet across my or in my back in
little feet across my or in my back in my face because the house was infested
my face because the house was infested
my face because the house was infested with mice rats and roaches my father was
with mice rats and roaches my father was
with mice rats and roaches my father was in and out of jail and he wasn’t in jail
in and out of jail and he wasn’t in jail
in and out of jail and he wasn’t in jail he was robbing people because he needed
he was robbing people because he needed
he was robbing people because he needed money to buy the drugs to put the
money to buy the drugs to put the
money to buy the drugs to put the needles in his arm because he liked the
needles in his arm because he liked the
needles in his arm because he liked the drugs more than he liked his family my
drugs more than he liked his family my
drugs more than he liked his family my father was a heroin addict and an
father was a heroin addict and an
father was a heroin addict and an alcoholic at the age of three he left
alcoholic at the age of three he left
alcoholic at the age of three he left our family in the only legacy he left us
our family in the only legacy he left us
our family in the only legacy he left us was a pile of bills and a bunch of empty
was a pile of bills and a bunch of empty
was a pile of bills and a bunch of empty bottles of booze in the trash can but my
bottles of booze in the trash can but my
bottles of booze in the trash can but my mother she worked to three jobs to make
mother she worked to three jobs to make
mother she worked to three jobs to make sure her little boy and little girl
sure her little boy and little girl
sure her little boy and little girl didn’t go to bed hungry and then we
didn’t go to bed hungry and then we
didn’t go to bed hungry and then we would not become part of a system at the
would not become part of a system at the
would not become part of a system at the age of six I almost died they sent me to
age of six I almost died they sent me to
age of six I almost died they sent me to a school for the physically disabled and
a school for the physically disabled and
a school for the physically disabled and the mentally challenged because I could
the mentally challenged because I could
the mentally challenged because I could not walk talk or read or write but after
not walk talk or read or write but after
not walk talk or read or write but after three painful years of rehabilitation I
three painful years of rehabilitation I
three painful years of rehabilitation I walked out of that school tall and
walked out of that school tall and
walked out of that school tall and strong and on my own at the age of nine
strong and on my own at the age of nine
strong and on my own at the age of nine my mother remarries and the nightmare
my mother remarries and the nightmare
my mother remarries and the nightmare starts all over again because she
starts all over again because she
starts all over again because she marries an abusive drunk
marries an abusive drunk
marries an abusive drunk heesu come home from work late after the
heesu come home from work late after the
heesu come home from work late after the bars and pull me out of my room and
bars and pull me out of my room and
bars and pull me out of my room and start beating on me Tom black and blue
start beating on me Tom black and blue
start beating on me Tom black and blue and I was just a little dude what are
and I was just a little dude what are
and I was just a little dude what are you gonna do and to add insult to injury
you gonna do and to add insult to injury
you gonna do and to add insult to injury he said beat up on my mom and there were
he said beat up on my mom and there were
he said beat up on my mom and there were times where he left her bloody and
times where he left her bloody and
times where he left her bloody and battered I’m gonna come back to that
battered I’m gonna come back to that
battered I’m gonna come back to that later I got old enough I ran away and I
later I got old enough I ran away and I
later I got old enough I ran away and I started running and gunning stealing and
started running and gunning stealing and
started running and gunning stealing and dealing
dealing
dealing that I robbed houses yes did I steal
that I robbed houses yes did I steal
that I robbed houses yes did I steal cars yes did I do drugs yes did I sell
cars yes did I do drugs yes did I sell
cars yes did I do drugs yes did I sell drugs yes had I become my father’s son
drugs yes had I become my father’s son
drugs yes had I become my father’s son shamefully yes am i proud of myself
shamefully yes am i proud of myself
shamefully yes am i proud of myself absolutely not and I was some of you
absolutely not and I was some of you
absolutely not and I was some of you know what I’m out say that guilt is a
know what I’m out say that guilt is a
know what I’m out say that guilt is a heavy burden for you to carry around for
heavy burden for you to carry around for
heavy burden for you to carry around for the rest of your life so the next few
the rest of your life so the next few
the rest of your life so the next few years of my life I ran around like a dog
years of my life I ran around like a dog
years of my life I ran around like a dog chasing his tail in circles looking for
chasing his tail in circles looking for
chasing his tail in circles looking for love in all the wrong places and I found
love in all the wrong places and I found
love in all the wrong places and I found a new dysfunctional family called gangs
a new dysfunctional family called gangs
a new dysfunctional family called gangs at the age of 17 I get a call of my
at the age of 17 I get a call of my
at the age of 17 I get a call of my biological father my father dies in a
biological father my father dies in a
biological father my father dies in a halfway house on Skid Row Skid Row in
halfway house on Skid Row Skid Row in
halfway house on Skid Row Skid Row in Los Angeles where the hobos lived my
Los Angeles where the hobos lived my
Los Angeles where the hobos lived my father died a bum a heroin addict and an
father died a bum a heroin addict and an
father died a bum a heroin addict and an alcoholic so I want to see where he
alcoholic so I want to see where he
alcoholic so I want to see where he lived because I spent my whole life
lived because I spent my whole life
lived because I spent my whole life wondering why my dad didn’t love me
wondering why my dad didn’t love me
wondering why my dad didn’t love me but when I got there I realized it
but when I got there I realized it
but when I got there I realized it wasn’t that he didn’t love me he didn’t
wasn’t that he didn’t love me he didn’t
wasn’t that he didn’t love me he didn’t love himself so I gave the death
love himself so I gave the death
love himself so I gave the death certificate to the lady at the front
certificate to the lady at the front
certificate to the lady at the front desk and they gave me a key they said
desk and they gave me a key they said
desk and they gave me a key they said room 66 so as I’m walking through the
room 66 so as I’m walking through the
room 66 so as I’m walking through the hallway of the flickering lights that
hallway of the flickering lights that
hallway of the flickering lights that was stale smelling and smell like urine
was stale smelling and smell like urine
was stale smelling and smell like urine and there was prostitutes and pimps and
and there was prostitutes and pimps and
and there was prostitutes and pimps and derelicts and alcoholics reaching out to
derelicts and alcoholics reaching out to
derelicts and alcoholics reaching out to me asking me for money saying give me
me asking me for money saying give me
me asking me for money saying give me money give me money and it’s hard to
money give me money and it’s hard to
money give me money and it’s hard to shake I’m nervous and I get to the door
shake I’m nervous and I get to the door
shake I’m nervous and I get to the door and I put the kina finally got it in
and I put the kina finally got it in
and I put the kina finally got it in there and I turned the doorknob and I
there and I turned the doorknob and I
there and I turned the doorknob and I opened it real slow and I stood there
opened it real slow and I stood there
opened it real slow and I stood there and it was like deja vu
and it was like deja vu
and it was like deja vu my dad had left again the same we had
my dad had left again the same we had
my dad had left again the same we had left me when I was only three was more
left me when I was only three was more
left me when I was only three was more empty bottles of booze in the trash can
empty bottles of booze in the trash can
empty bottles of booze in the trash can a lot of people think that you can
a lot of people think that you can
a lot of people think that you can control drugs and control alcohol but
control drugs and control alcohol but
control drugs and control alcohol but I’m here to tell you they’ll always take
I’m here to tell you they’ll always take
I’m here to tell you they’ll always take control of you no matter what and my
control of you no matter what and my
control of you no matter what and my father’s death proved to me that if you
father’s death proved to me that if you
father’s death proved to me that if you play with the devil if you play with the
play with the devil if you play with the
play with the devil if you play with the devil you’re gonna get burned and I got
devil you’re gonna get burned and I got
devil you’re gonna get burned and I got burned because I was still playing with
burned because I was still playing with
burned because I was still playing with the devil hell I was sleeping with the
the devil hell I was sleeping with the
the devil hell I was sleeping with the devil and I made a drug deal that went
devil and I made a drug deal that went
devil and I made a drug deal that went bad I delivered the drugs of some guy’s
bad I delivered the drugs of some guy’s
bad I delivered the drugs of some guy’s house he took a knife tasted it was
house he took a knife tasted it was
house he took a knife tasted it was cocaine he reaches in which I thought
cocaine he reaches in which I thought
cocaine he reaches in which I thought was going to give me a big wad of money
was going to give me a big wad of money
was going to give me a big wad of money but he pulls out a gun he points it up
but he pulls out a gun he points it up
but he pulls out a gun he points it up my face he say say good night and he
my face he say say good night and he
my face he say say good night and he pulls the trigger twice and by the grace
pulls the trigger twice and by the grace
pulls the trigger twice and by the grace of God it was a misfire so I tackled the
of God it was a misfire so I tackled the
of God it was a misfire so I tackled the guy to the floor and I started beating
guy to the floor and I started beating
guy to the floor and I started beating on the guy
on the guy
on the guy I get up and I run up the side door but
I get up and I run up the side door but
I get up and I run up the side door but it was glass and I come tumbling on the
it was glass and I come tumbling on the
it was glass and I come tumbling on the other side bleeding profusely had cuts
other side bleeding profusely had cuts
other side bleeding profusely had cuts and glass all over my body and I’m
and glass all over my body and I’m
and glass all over my body and I’m running down the street saying God if
running down the street saying God if
running down the street saying God if you let me live I’ll sin no more but
you let me live I’ll sin no more but
you let me live I’ll sin no more but what am I gonna go
what am I gonna go
what am I gonna go I don’t know anybody and all my friends
I don’t know anybody and all my friends
I don’t know anybody and all my friends are losers so what I did was I joined
are losers so what I did was I joined
are losers so what I did was I joined the military and the military was the
the military and the military was the
the military and the military was the best decision of my life because now I
best decision of my life because now I
best decision of my life because now I changed my life but it saved my life it
changed my life but it saved my life it
changed my life but it saved my life it not only made me a man but it made me a
not only made me a man but it made me a
not only made me a man but it made me a better man
better man
better man and I traveled all over the world
and I traveled all over the world
and I traveled all over the world jumping out of helicopters and
jumping out of helicopters and
jumping out of helicopters and aeroplanes I learned about duty honor
aeroplanes I learned about duty honor
aeroplanes I learned about duty honor country and I learned about a work
country and I learned about a work
country and I learned about a work called character character is not just
called character character is not just
called character character is not just doing this right when somebody’s
doing this right when somebody’s
doing this right when somebody’s watching is doing the right thing when
watching is doing the right thing when
watching is doing the right thing when nobody’s watching you so after I
nobody’s watching you so after I
nobody’s watching you so after I honorably served our country for over
honorably served our country for over
honorably served our country for over seven years three months eight days 14
seven years three months eight days 14
seven years three months eight days 14 hours and about 13 minutes
hours and about 13 minutes
hours and about 13 minutes I went home because I was ready to be a
I went home because I was ready to be a
I went home because I was ready to be a leader and a man and guess what happened
leader and a man and guess what happened
leader and a man and guess what happened my same so-called friends my peace my
my same so-called friends my peace my
my same so-called friends my peace my homeboys that elevate their game to deal
homeboys that elevate their game to deal
homeboys that elevate their game to deal in heavy drugs some of them got smoked
in heavy drugs some of them got smoked
in heavy drugs some of them got smoked and dusted in gang violence and drug
and dusted in gang violence and drug
and dusted in gang violence and drug violence say those are hard time at a
violence say those are hard time at a
violence say those are hard time at a federal penitentiary doing 25 to life
federal penitentiary doing 25 to life
federal penitentiary doing 25 to life you know when I went home they called me
you know when I went home they called me
you know when I went home they called me a punk in a cell up because I wouldn’t
a punk in a cell up because I wouldn’t
a punk in a cell up because I wouldn’t run with these guys anymore
run with these guys anymore
run with these guys anymore which proves that misery loves company
which proves that misery loves company
which proves that misery loves company right so I decided to leave again
right so I decided to leave again
right so I decided to leave again because sometimes to get away and make a
because sometimes to get away and make a
because sometimes to get away and make a change you got to leave so I came just
change you got to leave so I came just
change you got to leave so I came just down the street to a friend who live in
down the street to a friend who live in
down the street to a friend who live in Lisle he had a one-bedroom apartment
Lisle he had a one-bedroom apartment
Lisle he had a one-bedroom apartment said I could stay there so he said you
said I could stay there so he said you
said I could stay there so he said you gotta sleep on the floor s that’s not my
gotta sleep on the floor s that’s not my
gotta sleep on the floor s that’s not my first time I’m cool so I put blankets
first time I’m cool so I put blankets
first time I’m cool so I put blankets and pillows on the floor and all I could
and pillows on the floor and all I could
and pillows on the floor and all I could afford to eat back then was RB
afford to eat back then was RB
afford to eat back then was RB sandwiches five or four I remember those
sandwiches five or four I remember those
sandwiches five or four I remember those all right well you know I’d have half a
all right well you know I’d have half a
all right well you know I’d have half a sandwich in the morning half a sandwich
sandwich in the morning half a sandwich
sandwich in the morning half a sandwich at night on a Monday made the for
at night on a Monday made the for
at night on a Monday made the for sandwiches last throughout the week
sandwiches last throughout the week
sandwiches last throughout the week drank a lot of water lost a lot of
drank a lot of water lost a lot of
drank a lot of water lost a lot of weight but I said I want to be somebody
weight but I said I want to be somebody
weight but I said I want to be somebody and I got a job in the commercial
and I got a job in the commercial
and I got a job in the commercial laundry industry selling washers and
laundry industry selling washers and
laundry industry selling washers and dryers that’s how I started and I worked
dryers that’s how I started and I worked
dryers that’s how I started and I worked every day every holiday every weekend I
every day every holiday every weekend I
every day every holiday every weekend I didn’t see our mom for five years and
didn’t see our mom for five years and
didn’t see our mom for five years and while others were coined Lake Michigan
while others were coined Lake Michigan
while others were coined Lake Michigan or the ballgame or taking the girlfriend
or the ballgame or taking the girlfriend
or the ballgame or taking the girlfriend out to eat or walking the little doggie
out to eat or walking the little doggie
out to eat or walking the little doggie named Sparky
named Sparky
named Sparky I was working and I’m proud to say that
I was working and I’m proud to say that
I was working and I’m proud to say that after five years I got recruited and I
after five years I got recruited and I
after five years I got recruited and I became vice-president of a publicly
became vice-president of a publicly
became vice-president of a publicly traded company on the New York Stock
traded company on the New York Stock
traded company on the New York Stock Exchange
Exchange
Exchange [Music]
so I climbed the ladder of Corporate
so I climbed the ladder of Corporate America for six years and I was having
America for six years and I was having
America for six years and I was having dinner one night and I said you don’t
dinner one night and I said you don’t
dinner one night and I said you don’t have a shot and I didn’t mean like a
have a shot and I didn’t mean like a
have a shot and I didn’t mean like a shot of a gun or a shot at the Keela
shot of a gun or a shot at the Keela
shot of a gun or a shot at the Keela brand of your bourbon I said I wanna
brand of your bourbon I said I wanna
brand of your bourbon I said I wanna take a shot at start my own business and
take a shot at start my own business and
take a shot at start my own business and I started my own business and after
I started my own business and after
I started my own business and after three years we became the number one
three years we became the number one
three years we became the number one distribution company in the United
distribution company in the United
distribution company in the United States and I thought I had arrived right
States and I thought I had arrived right
States and I thought I had arrived right I was sleeping on the floor have a house
I was sleeping on the floor have a house
I was sleeping on the floor have a house on a pond I used to walk everywhere
on a pond I used to walk everywhere
on a pond I used to walk everywhere right a bike or take a bus I had a
right a bike or take a bus I had a
right a bike or take a bus I had a mercedes-benz nice clothes few bucks in
mercedes-benz nice clothes few bucks in
mercedes-benz nice clothes few bucks in the bank flying first-class and I share
the bank flying first-class and I share
the bank flying first-class and I share that with you not to impress you at all
that with you not to impress you at all
that with you not to impress you at all but to empower you because I learned
but to empower you because I learned
but to empower you because I learned that the two greatest days in your life
that the two greatest days in your life
that the two greatest days in your life are the day you were born and the day
are the day you were born and the day
are the day you were born and the day you realize why you’re born and I wanted
you realize why you’re born and I wanted
you realize why you’re born and I wanted to give back I wanted to make sure
to give back I wanted to make sure
to give back I wanted to make sure people didn’t help like my dad people
people didn’t help like my dad people
people didn’t help like my dad people didn’t end up like me making bad choices
didn’t end up like me making bad choices
didn’t end up like me making bad choices almost dying I wanted to teach people
almost dying I wanted to teach people
almost dying I wanted to teach people that the greater the struggle the
that the greater the struggle the
that the greater the struggle the greater the victory that your pain my
greater the victory that your pain my
greater the victory that your pain my pain our pain is not in vain so I wrote
pain our pain is not in vain so I wrote
pain our pain is not in vain so I wrote a book the books call from the barrio to
a book the books call from the barrio to
a book the books call from the barrio to the boardroom right and that book came
the boardroom right and that book came
the boardroom right and that book came out screaming because I got a call
out screaming because I got a call
out screaming because I got a call shortly after from Arne Duncan who still
shortly after from Arne Duncan who still
shortly after from Arne Duncan who still here in 2008 Secretary of Education they
here in 2008 Secretary of Education they
here in 2008 Secretary of Education they said we want to teach this book so a
said we want to teach this book so a
said we want to teach this book so a curriculum was created for the book that
curriculum was created for the book that
curriculum was created for the book that addresses was called social and
addresses was called social and
addresses was called social and emotional learning I paid to have the
emotional learning I paid to have the
emotional learning I paid to have the curriculum done and I donate that
curriculum done and I donate that
curriculum done and I donate that curriculum the schools across the
curriculum the schools across the
curriculum the schools across the country around the world so if you’re in
country around the world so if you’re in
country around the world so if you’re in education you talk we got to make this
education you talk we got to make this
education you talk we got to make this happen
happen
happen good help save these kids so later that
good help save these kids so later that
good help save these kids so later that year I get a call from with a group
year I get a call from with a group
year I get a call from with a group called RF B&D recording for the blind
called RF B&D recording for the blind
called RF B&D recording for the blind and dyslexic II and they said Robert we
and dyslexic II and they said Robert we
and dyslexic II and they said Robert we want to turn your book into a CD to help
want to turn your book into a CD to help
want to turn your book into a CD to help kids that are visually impaired have
kids that are visually impaired have
kids that are visually impaired have reading disabilities so they launched it
reading disabilities so they launched it
reading disabilities so they launched it nationally and it helps over two hundred
nationally and it helps over two hundred
nationally and it helps over two hundred and thirty six thousand kids around the
and thirty six thousand kids around the
and thirty six thousand kids around the United States
the next year if you can picture this
the next year if you can picture this the kids are tell me they’re reading my
the kids are tell me they’re reading my
the kids are tell me they’re reading my books or their parents I said well don’t
books or their parents I said well don’t
books or their parents I said well don’t your parents read they say they don’t
your parents read they say they don’t
your parents read they say they don’t read English so we translated the book
read English so we translated the book
read English so we translated the book into Spanish and then the church has got
into Spanish and then the church has got
into Spanish and then the church has got a hold of me and they said hey we see
a hold of me and they said hey we see
a hold of me and they said hey we see the kids in the hood with your book but
the kids in the hood with your book but
the kids in the hood with your book but we can’t get in the church we want to
we can’t get in the church we want to
we can’t get in the church we want to use your book as a hook to get him into
use your book as a hook to get him into
use your book as a hook to get him into Bible study did lead them to Christ so
Bible study did lead them to Christ so
Bible study did lead them to Christ so our kids can see the promised land
our kids can see the promised land
our kids can see the promised land I was told so we have a faith-based
I was told so we have a faith-based
I was told so we have a faith-based curriculum now and we donate that to all
curriculum now and we donate that to all
curriculum now and we donate that to all the ministries around the world who work
the ministries around the world who work
the ministries around the world who work with kids so if you’re in ministries
with kids so if you’re in ministries
with kids so if you’re in ministries let’s talk right so I spent the first
let’s talk right so I spent the first
let’s talk right so I spent the first couple years in middle schools high
couple years in middle schools high
couple years in middle schools high schools colleges higher education youth
schools colleges higher education youth
schools colleges higher education youth prisons jails social services homeless
prisons jails social services homeless
prisons jails social services homeless shelter battered women shelters but I
shelter battered women shelters but I
shelter battered women shelters but I wasn’t getting to the elementary school
wasn’t getting to the elementary school
wasn’t getting to the elementary school kids see the book from the barrios
kids see the book from the barrios
kids see the book from the barrios taught mostly middle school and up and
taught mostly middle school and up and
taught mostly middle school and up and the reason it’s important to get to
the reason it’s important to get to
the reason it’s important to get to little kids is because the gangs they
little kids is because the gangs they
little kids is because the gangs they prey on your kids and they try to
prey on your kids and they try to
prey on your kids and they try to recruit them and it goes down something
recruit them and it goes down something
recruit them and it goes down something like this hey c’mere I got something for
like this hey c’mere I got something for
like this hey c’mere I got something for you want to make some money nice and
you want to make some money nice and
you want to make some money nice and easy right I got your back I got to do
easy right I got your back I got to do
easy right I got your back I got to do is deliver this for that guy named Joey
is deliver this for that guy named Joey
is deliver this for that guy named Joey over there and tell him Big Poppa sent
over there and tell him Big Poppa sent
over there and tell him Big Poppa sent you
you
you and they bait these kids so I said okay
and they bait these kids so I said okay
and they bait these kids so I said okay if I can create a tool to cut the
if I can create a tool to cut the
if I can create a tool to cut the umbilical cord to the gang recruitment
umbilical cord to the gang recruitment
umbilical cord to the gang recruitment so I came up with an idea to release a
so I came up with an idea to release a
so I came up with an idea to release a graphic novel called Neve audio my
graphic novel called Neve audio my
graphic novel called Neve audio my barrio my hood EMA Vario was voted the
barrio my hood EMA Vario was voted the
barrio my hood EMA Vario was voted the best graphic novel in 2011 for in Latin
best graphic novel in 2011 for in Latin
best graphic novel in 2011 for in Latin America Spain in the United States of
America Spain in the United States of
America Spain in the United States of America addressing youth issues so now
America addressing youth issues so now
America addressing youth issues so now we’re working with kids third grade and
we’re working with kids third grade and
we’re working with kids third grade and people older than us so I wanted to get
people older than us so I wanted to get
people older than us so I wanted to get to the pre-k K 1 & 2 so we went back to
to the pre-k K 1 & 2 so we went back to
to the pre-k K 1 & 2 so we went back to the drawing board and we release an
the drawing board and we release an
the drawing board and we release an activity coloring book called little
activity coloring book called little
activity coloring book called little barrio so I’m proud to say that over the
barrio so I’m proud to say that over the
barrio so I’m proud to say that over the last 12 years 350,000 dollars later that
last 12 years 350,000 dollars later that
last 12 years 350,000 dollars later that I don’t have anymore
I don’t have anymore
I don’t have anymore because I saw funded but that’s okay
because I saw funded but that’s okay
because I saw funded but that’s okay because it’s built we have developed a
because it’s built we have developed a
because it’s built we have developed a comprehensive bilingual non-generic book
comprehensive bilingual non-generic book
comprehensive bilingual non-generic book series in program that is culturally
series in program that is culturally
series in program that is culturally relevant there resonates with the youth
relevant there resonates with the youth
relevant there resonates with the youth enrolled student achievement I’m also
enrolled student achievement I’m also
enrolled student achievement I’m also proud to say those books are being
proud to say those books are being
proud to say those books are being taught in classrooms across America to
taught in classrooms across America to
taught in classrooms across America to students and now in 25 other countries
students and now in 25 other countries
students and now in 25 other countries around the world
but I wanted to do more because I just
but I wanted to do more because I just take a village his save and raise a
take a village his save and raise a
take a village his save and raise a child I said listen I got together with
child I said listen I got together with
child I said listen I got together with a choreographer from glorious Stefan
a choreographer from glorious Stefan
a choreographer from glorious Stefan and they said let’s do a play so we got
and they said let’s do a play so we got
and they said let’s do a play so we got together with after-school matters and
together with after-school matters and
together with after-school matters and the miracle Center these kids right here
the miracle Center these kids right here
the miracle Center these kids right here who performed and producing my play
who performed and producing my play
who performed and producing my play right 30 inner-city kids whose life’s
right 30 inner-city kids whose life’s
right 30 inner-city kids whose life’s transformed over a year right they told
transformed over a year right they told
transformed over a year right they told me when that play was over that their
me when that play was over that their
me when that play was over that their board room is now the theater and I’m
board room is now the theater and I’m
board room is now the theater and I’m gonna share with you a clip of that play
gonna share with you a clip of that play
gonna share with you a clip of that play I have been knifed shot it and beat up
I have been knifed shot it and beat up
I have been knifed shot it and beat up more times than I can care to discuss
more times than I can care to discuss
more times than I can care to discuss but I gave back more than my fair share
but I gave back more than my fair share
but I gave back more than my fair share as well my fights however whenever
as well my fights however whenever
as well my fights however whenever because I wanted to hurt anyone or be
because I wanted to hurt anyone or be
because I wanted to hurt anyone or be malicious I always fought to protect
malicious I always fought to protect
malicious I always fought to protect myself and shamefully carrying guns and
myself and shamefully carrying guns and
myself and shamefully carrying guns and knives was the way things worked plenty
knives was the way things worked plenty
knives was the way things worked plenty of times I was involved in circumstances
of times I was involved in circumstances
of times I was involved in circumstances that could have easily found me six feet
that could have easily found me six feet
that could have easily found me six feet under it doesn’t matter if you’re
under it doesn’t matter if you’re
under it doesn’t matter if you’re careful or not it all eventually catches
careful or not it all eventually catches
careful or not it all eventually catches up with me that play was performed in
up with me that play was performed in
up with me that play was performed in Chicago last year to sold-out crowds and
Chicago last year to sold-out crowds and
Chicago last year to sold-out crowds and if you look at the lights the eyes of
if you look at the lights the eyes of
if you look at the lights the eyes of those kids what I see and I hope you see
those kids what I see and I hope you see
those kids what I see and I hope you see is I see hope and I see dreams I see
is I see hope and I see dreams I see
is I see hope and I see dreams I see possibilities waiting to happen I see
possibilities waiting to happen I see
possibilities waiting to happen I see that future leaders of our country
that future leaders of our country
that future leaders of our country because that’s what they represent and I
because that’s what they represent and I
because that’s what they represent and I was blessed to be able to watch these
was blessed to be able to watch these
was blessed to be able to watch these kids spread their wings and fly like the
kids spread their wings and fly like the
kids spread their wings and fly like the angels God intended them to be so I said
angels God intended them to be so I said
angels God intended them to be so I said I have to reach more kids younger kids
I have to reach more kids younger kids
I have to reach more kids younger kids so I had an idea for a cartoon given all
so I had an idea for a cartoon given all
so I had an idea for a cartoon given all the violence I said it’s gotta be about
the violence I said it’s gotta be about
the violence I said it’s gotta be about conflict resolution has settle our
conflict resolution has settle our
conflict resolution has settle our differences without hurting each other
differences without hurting each other
differences without hurting each other so we put together a teaser for a
so we put together a teaser for a
so we put together a teaser for a cartoon called kid barrio
so you’re probably saying Robert this is
so you’re probably saying Robert this is really good stuff you know we really
really good stuff you know we really
really good stuff you know we really need to save our children but what are
need to save our children but what are
need to save our children but what are the kids thing so I’m glad you asked I
the kids thing so I’m glad you asked I
the kids thing so I’m glad you asked I think it’s very like a very
think it’s very like a very
think it’s very like a very inspirational story comparing my life to
inspirational story comparing my life to
inspirational story comparing my life to his life I have a much easier and I
his life I have a much easier and I
his life I have a much easier and I thought that maybe I could achieve that
thought that maybe I could achieve that
thought that maybe I could achieve that my goals he how he said even we have a
my goals he how he said even we have a
my goals he how he said even we have a quota song in the heart that you know
quota song in the heart that you know
quota song in the heart that you know you can still keep on going my parents
you can still keep on going my parents
you can still keep on going my parents didn’t go to college so it’s making me
didn’t go to college so it’s making me
didn’t go to college so it’s making me want to succeed more so like I want to
want to succeed more so like I want to
want to succeed more so like I want to be more I want to do better experiment
be more I want to do better experiment
be more I want to do better experiment in school like nothing’s gonna stop you
in school like nothing’s gonna stop you
in school like nothing’s gonna stop you it’s up to you to accomplish for you you
it’s up to you to accomplish for you you
it’s up to you to accomplish for you you know the question now is what’s next and
know the question now is what’s next and
know the question now is what’s next and what’s next is a big idea whose time has
what’s next is a big idea whose time has
what’s next is a big idea whose time has come to bring relevant tools that are
come to bring relevant tools that are
come to bring relevant tools that are working to help stop the bullying gangs
working to help stop the bullying gangs
working to help stop the bullying gangs violence drugs school dropouts and their
violence drugs school dropouts and their
violence drugs school dropouts and their crap called racism so we’re talking
crap called racism so we’re talking
crap called racism so we’re talking about partnering recently we partnered
about partnering recently we partnered
about partnering recently we partnered with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of
with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of
with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America we’ve partnered with the Library
America we’ve partnered with the Library
America we’ve partnered with the Library of Congress we’ve partnered with the WBC
of Congress we’ve partnered with the WBC
of Congress we’ve partnered with the WBC the World Boxing Council who mentors
the World Boxing Council who mentors
the World Boxing Council who mentors boys and girls ages 8 8 8 8 18 in a
boys and girls ages 8 8 8 8 18 in a
boys and girls ages 8 8 8 8 18 in a hundred and sixty five countries around
hundred and sixty five countries around
hundred and sixty five countries around the world and we’re here to partner with
the world and we’re here to partner with
the world and we’re here to partner with you you can’t be part of a solution
you you can’t be part of a solution
you you can’t be part of a solution unless you’re part of the process the
unless you’re part of the process the
unless you’re part of the process the books from the barrio to the boardroom
books from the barrio to the boardroom
books from the barrio to the boardroom teach our kids that the ultimate weapon
teach our kids that the ultimate weapon
teach our kids that the ultimate weapon is not a loaded gun but an educated mind
is not a loaded gun but an educated mind
is not a loaded gun but an educated mind and the books teach our boys and our men
and the books teach our boys and our men
and the books teach our boys and our men that there’s no excuse for violence and
that there’s no excuse for violence and
that there’s no excuse for violence and you especially do not put your hands on
you especially do not put your hands on
you especially do not put your hands on a woman because you see women are not
a woman because you see women are not
a woman because you see women are not just beautiful and smart but women are
just beautiful and smart but women are
just beautiful and smart but women are the greatest gifts that God ever created
the greatest gifts that God ever created
the greatest gifts that God ever created this lifetime
this lifetime
this lifetime ladies am i right am i right
listen the barrio program is a blueprint
listen the barrio program is a blueprint for success hard work determination and
for success hard work determination and
for success hard work determination and education you have to get involved you
education you have to get involved you
education you have to get involved you have to get involved because if you
have to get involved because if you
have to get involved because if you don’t you gonna realize when it’s too
don’t you gonna realize when it’s too
don’t you gonna realize when it’s too late that the most valuable property on
late that the most valuable property on
late that the most valuable property on the planet is a graveyard
the planet is a graveyard
the planet is a graveyard yeah the graveyard because in the
yeah the graveyard because in the
yeah the graveyard because in the graveyard there’s hopes and dreams and
graveyard there’s hopes and dreams and
graveyard there’s hopes and dreams and aspirations ideas and inventions that
aspirations ideas and inventions that
aspirations ideas and inventions that we’ll never know about that will never
we’ll never know about that will never
we’ll never know about that will never be realized so I have a challenge for
be realized so I have a challenge for
be realized so I have a challenge for you tonight those of you who’ve been
you tonight those of you who’ve been
you tonight those of you who’ve been there and done that you know the score I
there and done that you know the score I
there and done that you know the score I want to ask you please to accept this
want to ask you please to accept this
want to ask you please to accept this challenge I want you to tell your story
challenge I want you to tell your story
challenge I want you to tell your story I want you to tell your story so that we
I want you to tell your story so that we
I want you to tell your story so that we can all be healed
can all be healed
can all be healed [Applause]
”
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