Overcoming: How Faith, Family & Friends Helped One Black Man Beat the Odds

I was born on March 15, 1951, in Potts Camp, Mississippi, but my journey began more than 2,000 years ago on Calvary when Jesus Christ laid down His life so that I might "have life and have it more abundantly." My birth, assisted by a midwife, in an iron bed in my maternal grandparents' modest home, was the beginning of a life filled with love, hope, and many challenges that I had to overcome. I learned how to survive and thrive in a culture wrought with systemic racism that is stilted against persons like me. I thank the Lord for His grace and mercy, for without Him, I don't know where I would be. It is because of Him that I was able to achieve success in many areas of my life and use wisely the gifts that He has given me.

This book is my story, one that I hope will be a testament to the trials and tribulations I have overcome as well as a lasting legacy of the contributions that I made-by the grace of God-to American society. This is a success sto