Everyone has a story.

Some stories are tougher than others, but the real power lies in how we respond to them.

Today, I want to share mine — not for pity, but to show you exactly why I refuse to live as a victim, no matter how many excuses life has given me.

Growing Up in South Philly

I was born and raised in South Philadelphia, in the projects.

A lot of people use that as a reason why they can’t succeed, but I chose not to.

The projects were rough, no doubt. I’ve seen and been through things that could easily justify quitting on life.

Gangs, Fights, and Trouble

As a kid and teenager, I ran with gangs.

I got into fights.

I got suspended, expelled, arrested — the works.

Anger consumed me, and trouble followed me everywhere.

But even then, I knew I didn’t want that life forever.

Taken from My Mother

I was around seven when they took me from my mother and put me in foster care for about five years.

For a kid who loved his mother deeply, that felt like a lifetime.

It hurt deeply and filled me with more anger and confusion.

Health and Trauma

As a baby, my father — an alcoholic — dropped me on my head.

I had seizures afterward. I still remember what some of those felt like.

I also remember seeing my father getting jumped by gang members while holding me as a baby.

My mother told me the story later, but some memories were burned into my mind long before that.

Abuse and Bullying

I was bullied in elementary school. At first, my mother came to my rescue every time — but that only made me dependent on her.

When I got taken away and placed in foster care, the bullying continued.

I had to learn to fight back myself.

The first time I did, I realized: no one will protect me better than me.

A Single Mother and an Absent Father

I grew up with only my mother.

I had no positive male role model.

My father was alive but not around.

That left me confused and angry, feeling abandoned.

Later, as an adult, I reconnected with him a bit — but he passed away suddenly before we could really build a relationship.

Labeled with ADHD

When I was in foster care, they labeled me with ADHD and put me on medication.

I never accepted that label. I didn’t want the meds.

I hid them, spit them out, and refused to believe I was broken.

To this day, I believe ADHD is often an excuse — not a life sentence.

Gang Violence, Guns, and Survival

From about age 15 to 21, I kept getting into trouble — gangs, fights, and risky behavior.

I’m grateful I made it through alive.

I’ve lost people to the streets, but I chose a different path.

Becoming a Father

Today, I’m a proud father of four amazing kids: Jason, Jaleah, Trinity, and Romen.

I had them all out of wedlock.

Do I regret it?

In some ways, yes — but I don’t use it as an excuse to be an absent or poor father.

I teach them what I wish I’d known.

Being Black and Dark-Skinned

I’m not just Black — I’m dark Black.

Growing up, even my own community called me names: “charcoal,” “dark monkey,” “midnight.”

Racism and discrimination are real.

I’ve lost business deals because of my skin.

But again, I don’t let it be my excuse.

So, Who Am I Now?

Today, I am:

• A dedicated father of four
• A marketing expert helping entrepreneurs generate leads and grow their businesses
• A real estate investor and real estate agent doing deals nationwide
• A #1 best-selling author
• A real estate instructor helping others succeed
• An introverted implementer — 82% introverted, but 100% assertive

I am living proof that where you start does not define where you finish.

What’s the Lesson?

I could have claimed victimhood my whole life: poverty, gangs, abuse, no father, foster care, ADHD, racism.

I have every reason to say, "Poor me." But I don’t.

Instead, I fight for my success.

I fight for my growth.

I fight for my children to have better than I did.

If you’re reading this, you can choose the same.

Don’t fight for your limitations.

Fight for your expansion.

Fight for your future.

Thank you for reading my story. I hope it inspires you to write your own — not as a victim, but as a winner.

See you at the top.

— Jerome Lewis

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