Everyday I feel like life is preparing me for success. When I was a little child reading a book was preparing me. Watching daily lives of others was preparing. Attending school prepare me for success. Staying positive in negative situations. Most important education prepare me for success. Going to school learning how to read and asking question is form of success. Being patient don't rush the process of life I had to learn that. Being healthy playing sports. Paying attention in school making the honor roll. Understanding that I had to work hard for what i wanted and needed. Be good and kind to people. Push myself to the limit, stay committed. Gaining knowledge prepare me for my career and life in general. Setting goals long term and short term goals prepared me for success. My personal definition of success is when you are happy of your outcome. When you have accomplish the goal of helping yourself and others. When you feel successful. When you have achieve your goals. When you become that person to help others become successful. Successful people help build other people confidence. Success is happiness makes you have a sense of well-being. Leadership mind ability to lead. Success you think of goal is done accomplish. That's why its important to have goals and dreams. 20 years from now I would like to be a married man. Graduate from College in 4 years with Bachelor's degree for Physical education and coaching.I would love to try out for football at South Carolina State University. Dream on getting drafted to play in next level. Further my education in Business Management. I would like to be a fitness coach bring back some jobs to my community. Open up a shelter for homeless people and give back to less fortunate. I also have big dreams for my mother she work so hard. My mother works very well with individual who needs special care. I would like to open up a home for Disability And Special Needs individual. My dreams and goals will come try. 20 years from now I will be successful.

I have had major setbacks in my life. I have cried myself to sleep at night asking God why me. Why did my father have to die. When my father die it left my mother working two jobs barely making ends meet. That's why when I play sport, I am able to leave my hurt and pain on the field. While attending school I worked two job. Working at Sonic the days I didn't have practice and working at my grandfather car wash. I realize life get hard sometime, but I was raise to never give up. Keep pushing help someone who is in need. My mother is big on education. Her motto is "Anything is possible". I will be the first to attend college in my family. That's a major big step to me. I had a full ride scholarship for football for Citadel in Charleston, SC. Had a setback sprained my hand got ex-ray done. Everything was okay got a call from the coach. Coach stated that they was pulling my scholarship from me. I had the opportunity to show them my skill, my ability but it was all taken away from me. I was so crush like why me all over again. The one thing I love taken away from me again. Got another offer from Newberry College had to turn it down it wasn't a full ride. I promise that I will never but my mother in debt for me to attend college. Setbacks will either make you are break you. So I have decided to apply for South Carolina State University. Major in Physical Education and Coaching. I am going to take advantage of furthering my education.Tryout for football team praying that they see my talent. Giving up is not a option for me this is my future.

I have learn to appreciate the people and things in my life. I appreciate my family for the support and love they have shown me. Life is not easy I just take it one day at a time. What I have today can be taken away at anytime. That's why creating memories is important to me. I think God for the opportunity to be introduce to some amazing people. I have walked in some doors that opportunity presented itself to me. My ability to walk, talk and in good health is amazing. I praise God for that everyday. Things that I don't want and need anymore I give it to less fortunate people in my community. I have seen my mother work two jobs to provide for us. So I am so grateful and appreciate the things I have.

My grandmother played a big role in my life, I call her my hero. My father pass away when I was 5 years old leaving my mother and grandmother to raise me. My mother had to work two jobs to provide for us. Leaving my grandmother to raise me. I saw days when my grandmother was not feeling good, but made sure I was taking care of.My grandmother taught me how to read and walk. My grandmother would feed the less fortunate people in our community. I would always say to my grandmother why do you this, when we are struggling ourselves. Grandmother stated to me and I will always remember this. Grandmother stated we might not be rich in money but we have life and a roof over our head. I will always cherish and remember my grandmother never missing a game. Supporting her family cleaning up the community. Raising all seven of her grandchild for her kids to work. My mother provided a place for a homeless woman who didn't have a place to stay. I must say my grandmother influence me in so many positive ways. She influence me to give back to my community. Taught me about life and having a heart. I will be the first in my family to attend college. The support I get from my grandmother is so amazing. My goals are to come back to my city and bring jobs. A Recreation Center in my community and shelter for homeless individual.

MY mother is amazing person. The word inspired is not enough. She reminds me of superwoman with superpower. The phenomenal woman who gave birth to me. Who have a non-stop drive. Her vision of life is so speechless. Growing up I saw my mother struggle but never gave up. I have heard great things about my mother. How she would feed the homeless and even babysit kids in community so parents can go to work. My mother worked 3 jobs to provide for us. My mother passion for her job really amaze me. My mother caring heart and security that she provide for her individual is a blessing. Never missed one of my games. Went back to school while working. Got her Certification in Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy Certification. While working and caring for her mother. My mother job speaks for itself. My mother work for Disability And Special Needs a job that is call for patience. On my mother days off she would go to work. Read books go on out of state trips with her clients. I have seen my mother take care of individual with different types of conditions. The bond and love they have for my mother is so sweet. My mother taught me that every human-kind is treated equal. My mother assist with Special Olympics at Fort Jackson. Attend self-advocacy meeting for client. Teach them their rights and the ability to speak up for themselves. My mother is the glue that bonds the family together. Most people would talk about famous athlete. I talk about my mother the first person who taught me about life. Who help build my confidence up and kept me on the right track. She is my superstar and I turned out awesome because of my mother. With her gracious soul, hardworking and giving heart. My strength come from my mother and the love she have for other. I saw my mother and grandmother took in a homeless woman. Gave her a place she was able to call home. The young lady can't walk my mother assist with her needs and well-being. The amazing things that my mother is doing full me up with joy. She taught me how to be independent and set goals. The most motivators in my life. Reminds me every day that I determine my future, getting a education is free. Now it's my job to further my education and put a smile on my mother face.

Sports have had a major impact on my life. My father die when I was 5 years old. The only way that I was able to cope with his death was playing sports. Playing sports kept me out of trouble. When I am on the field I am able to release stress. I didn't have no worries of the outside world. My goals was to understand the plays and to win. I started off playing football and basketball in my community. Then my mother and grandfather saw the potential in me. Signed me up for recreational basketball and football. My mother and grandmother never missed a game. They were my support team. On the weekend I would play ball with my grandfather who worked alot, but made time for me. He would throw long passes to me and I would catch the ball. Some days it would be basketball practice then football practice. My 7th and 8th grade year I played football and basketball for Kingstree Middle School. We won a championship that was amazing feeling. I was happen ready to win more games. My grandfather said "Hakeem sign up for High School ball". Stated to myself, why not great experience it would be. Sign up and made varsity football team. I was so excited. Didn't get in much 9th grade year, but I was able to watch and learn the game. After football season was over sign up for basketball my 10 grade year. Made the varsity team and it was on. My grandfather was so proud of me. I never thought a young man from my community would have made it this far. My father was gone I was loss, but I didn't give up. My grandfather was my angel he push me helped along the way. I always told myself if I make it to the top he would be my right hand man. My grandfather coached girl's basketball team that was undefeated. Everything I learn today is from him. My grandfather pass away when the pandemic started covid-19. I stated to myself I loss my second half the man who help raise me. My grandfather death was a shock to my family. Passing away my 11th grade year was hurtful. I wanted him to see my accomplishment. Staying on honor roll being the captain and leader of my football and basketball team. I was pick for top wide receiver football for 2AA and 1 team region player basketball 2AA. I have the chance to go play ball at Newberry College or try out for South Carolina State. This is a dream come true to me.

My name is Hakeem Barr from Kingstree, SC. I was raise by my mother and grandmother. My father die when I was 5 years old from a heart attack. My mother and grandmother did amazing job raising me. I never got to experience life with my dad. Not having a father figure crush my heart. At the age of ten I thought the streets was my family. I live in a community that only showed me the wrong side of the streets. I started hanging around people who I thought was good for me. My grades was dropping hanging out late at night. That's when my uncle father step in and said this is not the way. He stated, Hakeem what is it you want to do in life. I was lost for a second. I never had a man to ask me that question. So he had me thinking, like what do I want to do with my life. He got my mother to sign me up for recreational ball. I was so scared, but happy at the same time. I got the chance to interact with people with a different mind set. I first started off playing basketball with Kingstree Recreational Department for 3 years. We won 2 championship playing basketball I was so excited. Coach asked me did I wanted to play football. I said "yes" why not. Playing football was a great experience. Winning a championship from football was amazing. My 7th grade year I sign up for basketball and football and made the team. We won the championship for football my 8th grade year. The next step in life was 9th grade.I try out for football team and made the varsity team. It was a great experience in the 9th grade playing with 11th and 12th graders i was so blown away. Sitting on the bench my 9th grade year I got to experience the game. I sit and watch the plays. When it was my time I understand. I became the captain and the leader of my team. I help drive my basketball team to 3 round for State Championship. We didn't win but we played a great game. I was 1 Team Region for 2AA most points and stats on my team. I always had a dream and goal to make it out my community. Graduate from school and attend college. I told my mother that I want to go to college, but i don't want her to come out her pocket for me. I will be the first out of my family to attend College. This opportunity will be a big stepping-stone for me. I have big goals and dreams for myself and my community. My goals are to come back to my town and community to bring jobs and community center for kids. I am a leader, team player, ambitious and I listen and learn. Giving me this chance to elevate myself will be a blessing to me.

Giving is important to me because I have been raise that way. When my father die the love and support that was giving, gave me strength. People gave to my family from their heart. The act of kindness open my heart to be a better person. When you give it's a act of kindness from your heart. The ability to help someone it creates a bond making a big impact on someone life. When I give to someone it makes me feel happy. I know how it feels not to have certain thing in life. My mother work for Disability And Special Needs and when I out grown my clothes she donate my clothes to the individuals. Giving helps with social connection and my major is business. Giving help me with interacting and communicating with the world. Giving back to kids who have loss a parent is important, because I am someone who can relate. Relate to growing up in a single mother home when people gave to us. I saw my grandmother took in a homeless woman a gave her a place to live. My grandmother taught me that God will bless you. Any act kindness on this earth will be rewarded. When I work I buy shoes for kids in community who wants to play sports. I provide Thanksgiving meals with my family and pass out in the community. I truly love giving and it's from the heart show people that I truly care.

Social Justice is important in the world today. It plays a big role in my life just as well in other people lives. I wonder why when you fill out a application it ask for the race. I always wondered to myself does it matter of the color of your skin. Are we all equal as one? Being a young black man I face a lot of obstacles in my life. Certain way that I have to carry myself as a young black man. I don't want to be characterize as a angry black man. I feel like the color of my skin shouldn't matter. I feel like I should be treated equally. I think as the years went by the movement of social justice is coming along. We still have a long way to go but if we work together things can be accomplished. In my community we came together as one. We stand for human right and it didn't matter the color of your skin. My mother and my grandmother taught me that everyone should be treated equal. Sometime I feel afraid if I'm stopped by a police what should I do. If I make any movement will I be shot. Since the different movements on police brutality and rights. Law enforcement have been coming in the community and reaching out to the community. I now have a different look at law enforcement. I was able to get my view and point across to them. I was able to express my feelings as a young black man. Law enforcement sit and listen to me and understand my point. The different topic discussion was explained. Parents and teenager was able to understand and communicate more with law enforcement. The communication between law enforcement and the community have gotten better. Another topic that we spoke on was voting. Expressing to the community how important it is to vote. Why you should vote, because you want the right candidate over the world. My community did an excellent job on getting out when it was time to vote knocking on doors explaining to the elderly and the homeless people on how to vote. We also provided transportation in a community. The community was impacted positively because everyone came together as one to understand the needs that everyone needed. The community is still working together. It's still going to take some hard work and dedication.

Being well known for all the wrong reasons doesn't lessen the fact that you are well known. Growing up here, in Kingstree SC, there is a level of crime and poverty that encourages one to seek out the kinds of activities that lead down the road of a very vicious cycle. I, in my earlier years, was headed down that road. My grandmother, mother, grandfather and uncle who are all sports fanatics began to steer me away from the streets and towards any sport that was available. As I entered high school, I saw that the people that knew me from being a well known "bad little kid", started to see me as a teen and young adult that made a positive change in his life and that made me feel amazing! The better I felt about myself the more I wanted to share that with others and who better to share that with than the kids younger than myself in the same community where I lived, to include my younger cousins. I began to work out with them, play football and basketball with them. I held races and little friendly competitions with them but more importantly, I talked to them and showed them that there is another way to be than what they see every day. My grandmother and mother would tell me about calls they would get from parents telling them to thank me for helping and spending time with their kids. One of my little cousins calls me a super hero. I realized that I was making a difference and I want to keep doing that. I know that not only do my actions have power and influence but also my voice. In our community, hardship, poverty and struggle is a prominent issue and I believe that they can be overcome by starting with the children. My actions -current and future is how I influence prominent social issues because I'm given an opportunity every day. I understand that sports isn't the way out for everyone so I talk to them about school and their grades. I let them know that they can talk to me about anything and that it's ok for them to have feelings about whatever they have feelings about but that they also need to be mindful that sometimes once something is done it can't be undone so think before you act. If given the opportunity to influence any other prominent social issues, I would take it on in the same manner. I would use my voice and my actions but most of all, I would use my head and heart to reach out to those that don't know about the issue and or about myself and appeal to their sense of humanity to gain their trust and support so that a positive change can be made or at least started, to benefit all affected by the issue at hand.