Let me tell you how my story ends.

I become a tenured award-winning professor of political science at an Ivy League University

and then at one of the leading universities in the South.

Now let me tell you how my story begins.

I grew up in rural Virginia, literally dirt poor.

I dropped out of school in the eighth grade and had three children by the time I'm 20.

I consider myself to be a reasonably modest person, but even I have to admit that's quite

a journey.

How did I do it?

I worked hard.

And I've crazy 24-7 hard, just hard.

I made good decisions, not really in three-dimensional chess decisions, just good ones.

I met people along the way who helped me and sincerely wanted to see me succeed.

Not because they had something to gain, but because they were decent people.

Almost all of these individuals by the way were white.

But mostly, I think I was blessed in one crucial way.

I was born in America, a true land of opportunity for anyone of any color or background.

In this country where you start your life does not determine where you end up.

That works in both directions by the way.

You can start out with every advantage and waste them all.

Or you can start out with nothing and become a success.

It all depends on you.

...