The Tale of Two Cities

Have you ever had a close childhood friend and his/her life turned out different yet similar than yours. This is where my story begins.

From the 1970's to mid 1980's, I grew up in Whitehaven (now known as Blackhaven). My friend and I met at a church off of South Parkway East in South Memphis. Over the years, we became good friends. Together, we had sleepovers, played basketball, talked about girls, and participated in church services. He was the one who taught me to brush my tongue with my toothbrush (At that time that was a remarkable revelation.)

As time elapsed, our neighborhood began to change noticeably. My parents made their career choices and my friend's parents made their choices. In 1986, those parental choices and luck forever changed both of our lives. By my family moving to Germantown, that changed my neighborhood, school, friends, and opportunities. By his family staying, that severely altered his life.

By going, I received a quality education, made friends that took me on their family trips to the beach, stayed in a nice neighborhood with little crime, and most importantly positioned me to take advantage of future opportunities. On the contrary, my friend stayed in a declining neighborhood with increase drug activity, received a subpar public education, had friends that came from the same background, and was positioned for limited opportunities in the drug game.

Fast forward to 2003, I found out my friend owned a business so I went by to support it. On that night, we talked until 3am. We discussed politics, government, business, family and women. Amazingly, we were able to talk about everything, but he was highly uncomfortable with telling me that he had sold drugs (Of course, I already knew). Also he told me about the federal case that he was involved with and the possibility of him going to jail.

Candidly, he expressed how he deeply admired my dad. He said,"Your father always had your sisters, mom and you looking nice. He always provided for y'all and moved y'all to a better neighborhood". That was the first time that someone passionately said such nice things about my father to me. With a sincere look in his eyes, you knew that he meant every word.

All that I could think about throughout the conversation was why was I so blessed. Through the years, I have become a father, businessman, and learner of life and my friend in many ways has achieved some of same things. From my opportunities, I was able to learn business through legitimate opportunities, and my friend honed his business acumen in the streets through illegitimate opportunities (FYI He was able to do something that I was unsuccessful in doing and that is create a thriving restaurant).

With all that said, I am not condoning the wrong choices of individuals but I am supporting the mission for "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness". Everyone needs to relize that it is difficult to live if you are dying in poverty, it is difficult to be free if you are hancuffed by inferior educational systems, and it is difficult to pursue happiness if you are roadblocked by nonexistent opportunities. We must continue to create viable opportunities for all young people, and not take away opportunities like recent loss of 300 youth jobs due to the closing of Libertyland. So always remain thankful and never get the BIG HEAD because there is somebody out there in the hood, barrio, ghetto, or trailer park that could outperform you anyday if only they had the same opportunities, resources, and blessings.


"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race".
Calvin Coolidge 30th President of US (1872 - 1933)