This week marked the beginning of Black History Month. This month is a great reminder of all the adversity that our ancestors have faced and conquered. Many have asked me what the key to all my success is. I had humbling beginnings; many things were taken away from me in childhood. Though I had many personal life struggles, I was able to emerge with great victories. I want young people to know that even in the hardships that life throws at you, determination will get you through it. Determination got all the historic African American writers, inventors, politician, activist, and TV hosts their place in history. It was people like them who made it possible for you to follow your dreams. I had so much taken away from me as a child. I was born to a single teenage mother; she left me to live with my grandmother. My grandmother was very poor and we couldn’t afford clothes. So I wore old potatoes sacks and was made fun of. I did not meet my mother until age 6, when I moved in with her. She was never very supportive or encouraging to me. I was sexually abused by my cousin, uncle, and a family friend, starting at the age of only nine. The abuse was so bad I broke down and ran away at the age of 13. I didn’t know what I was doing so by 14 I was pregnant. The only child I would ever have died shortly after I gave birth. Like I mentioned before I had a lot taken away from me, till I had virtually nothing left. I never let that stop me from becoming who I am today. With all my success I wanted to give back to those who had also had so much taken away from them. If I was able to go from poverty stricken to (at one point) the only African American Billionaire, I am showing young people it is possible. I want this generation to remember that even when it feels like you’re down and out, with determination you can do anything you set your mind to. I have been able to do many things through determination. I started a school in Africa, created my own television network (OWN), interviewed many celebrities, and founded volunteer/charity organizations. I love what I do, and want to keep inspiring young people everywhere.
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