I faced academic challenges which led me to drop out of school at a young age. I found myself turning away from formal education and embracing the streets. Now exposed to this environment, I started conforming to all the negativity it produces, the wrong way of thinking, wrong language, wrong behaviors, and ultimately, the wrong path.

Years later, I migrated to America, where I lived for the past 30 years. I educated myself, but the greatest education I received, the most valuable wisdom and knowledge came from the Bible. It has been the foundation of every success I’ve experienced, shaping my enduring patience and ability to maintain a peaceful lifestyle, and influencing my compassionate and merciful heart that produces in me deep concern and love for the dirt poor, those experiencing extreme poverty, allowing me to give generously, bringing hope, relief, and smiles. I am a proud father of two wonderful children, born and raised in America, a published author, and an entrepreneur.

Despite living thousands of miles away, the rising crime rates and the deaths of young Black men in Trinidad and Tobago deeply troubled me. It hurt as if these young men were my own sons and brothers. I couldn’t fully understand why I felt this way, but the senseless loss of life made me angry. On my visits back to Trinidad over the years, I voiced my concerns to family and friends. I just couldn’t comprehend how the governments and society could sit back and watch these young men die by the hundreds, year after year. I would ask, “Are they not your sons, brothers, nephews, cousins, family, friends, and members of your communities?” It made me sick to see the government’s lack of effort, concern, and accountability for these lost lives, their ignorant reasoning, foolish comments, and childish logic.

As the years pass by, my grief only increases. I now realize that my sorrow stemmed from seeing my younger, misguided self in these young men, knowing how easily one can be influenced by the wrong environment. It also comes from my deep love for Trinidad and Tobago, my people. More importantly, it was GOD calling me even back then to carry out His work here, the love, burning desire, and passion in my heart to save lives are no coincidence. God’s love and calling compel me to do what I am doing now. My objective is to end this crisis and save lives, both theirs and yours. I strongly believe that all people of Trinidad and Tobago are precious.