Infuential People

I grew up in Elizabeth New Jersey and for the most part I have to thank my Grandmother for taking me and my sibling in and introducing us to her God. Religion has always been a big thing in my family and it continues to guide and help establish our values. Then Deacon Jessie Kelley, modeled a christian, family man, and mentor for me. His love for God and family taught me how to love my family as well as reach out to others. then My Pastor, Elder Jessie Wooten, was the smartest  man and the best preacher I ever heard. He may be the very reason I love to preach more than anything else I do. My friends say you can wake me up at midnight and I will be ready to preach. My being raise for most of my young life by my grandmother left me void of a father figure until I attended the Neighborhood Community Center and met Rev. Collins, the director. He would talk to me and treated me just like a son. I learned so much about helping young people from him that I knew from that point that what ever profession I chose it had to be working with young people. All of my life I have been working with young people in one way or the other, such as, youth director for my church and national convention, Foster parenting, and substituting in the schools. The boost in the teaching direction came from my youth leader during my teen years. Brenda Heighter said the way I worked with the children I would make a good teacher and I agreed and have continued my service to young people in any way I could. I'm interested in helping them as early as possible so as to aide in giving the a good foundation.