I finished one of my motivational speeches to students at a university; it was received well. I received applause and admiration from the crowd and, as usual, was asked a question I had been asked many times before: Do you have a book that tells your story? My answer was the same as always, Not yet, but I am working on one.

In truth, I was working on a book but not with any sense of urgency. I had become very successful in life and writing a book was a big deal that required a lot of soul searching. It would require me to reflect upon and deal with memories, some that I would rather forget. With the urging of friends and family, I took on the task to share the rest of my story. In a thirty to forty-five-minute speech, I was barely scratching the surface of my story. I knew that there was so much more that I could share and, to truly help others, believed I should tell.

I grew up black and poor. I am still black, but I made the decision, with the help of my God, and through his Son, Jesus Christ, not to remain poor. This book will detail my journey to success. It will explain how I overcame many trials and tribulations along the way to become the person that I am today. My ultimate goal is to make a difference in my own life, as well as in the lives of those that I encounter. Growing up, I had no problem accepting help when necessary, but I totally refused to become a victim and accept pity. I didn’t want, nor would I accept, an excuse not to be successful. Yet, I found that there are plenty of people willing to give you reasons to fail. Some basic reasons are poverty, a broken home, abuse, lack of education and physical disability. I learned from the great speaker and writer, Jim Rohn, that these are all part of a disease called excusitis.

This work will be a success if it helps to encourage one person to make a difference with his or her life; and, if it convinces one reader not to give up on themselves–even if society gives up on them. My ultimate goal is to help others to look at everyday as one day, one step on their life’s journey of success.