We Are Not Born Failures

When people see me, they see an Emmy Award winning journalist. But before the success and honors, I was a kid navigating the tough streets of Los Angeles. While many of my friends chose street life, I discovered a different path and soccer became my saving grace. With focus and determination, I was able to survive gang-infested neighborhoods and become the first person in my family to graduate high school. Looking back, each decision I made inched me towards who I am today. Now I seek to empower my community through my story.

The life I was given was not one with a silver spoon. I worked, clawed, and pressed my way forward. With so many labels given by society, I’m sure none of mine had success written on it. But no matter what people say or how they label us, there’s one thing I know for sure— We Were Not Born Failures.