Growing up, my life was shaped by the rhythm of a sweet potato farm. Long before the sun would rise, my family was already at work, and the highlight of our year was a trip to the local county fair. My parents, with dirt often caked under their fingernails, instilled in me the values of hard work and purpose. They showed me the honor and dignity that comes from honest labor, and I carry that with me to this day.
From the Farm to the City
When I received a scholarship to a private high school in the city, many people called it my “big break.” But instead of feeling excited, I felt like a complete outsider. The faint smell of the barn seemed to follow me everywhere, and I’d often hear whispers like, “Do you live on a farm or something?” I became painfully self-conscious and tried to hide my background, worried that it made me seem inferior.
