I grew up as a black man
I grew up with the dreams of a black man
Poverty was my enemy
My background denied me opportunities.

I grew up as a black man
With hunger for success
With the desire for change
With the desire for a better life.

I grew up as a black man
Everything in my life, I had to fight for
I fought recklessly
Recklessly cause I had nothing to lose
I overcame every obstacle in my way
Eliminated all that stood in my way.

I grew up as a black man
I refused to be enslaved by poverty, by injustice
I refused to be trapped
I broke that cycle of poverty,
For it had to end with me.

I grew up as a black man
My background was not my shame,
But it was my motivation
I never lost hope
Never gave up
All because I didn’t want it to define me.

I grew up as a black man
I made it against all odds
I never undermined my capabilities
I believed in my dreams,
And worshipped my goals.

I grew up as a black man
Living above the sun was my dream
As impossible as it seemed,
I made it.