The Word perseverance is defined as “steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success”. As the son of two African immigrants, the word has symbolized hope and has been the mantra of my existence. In my 23 years I have seen true struggle and in the face of tribulation, I have witnessed the power of true grit. My background is a story of triumph over circumstance and socioeconomic conditions. I am one of three children in the Ayodeji household, the only male aside from my father. For as long as my mind can recollect, both of my parents have worked two jobs to support my siblings and I. Though we didn’t live an extravagant lifestyle , our parents made sure that we never hungry or homeless. From the time of our
