“My obstacle was basically leaving New York. I give all shout-outs to my grandmother, [because] without her, I wouldn’t be here to be able to do this interview with you today…She helped me realize that there’s other things out there in life for me that I could be doing instead of being negative. I grew up as a negative child, but by the grace of G-d, people have been brought into my life and changed me to make me become the better person that I am today. Growing up in New York with 11 other guys and knowing that I’m the last one from my neighborhood that’s still alive means a lot to me. My grandmother was my inspiration. She helped me become a man when I was still being a boy. Before she died, she put certain people in my life so I could still be guided. I’m not one of those children who likes to have things given to them easy. I like it hard, because I know that I have to work for it. So, I feel like she’s always put people in my life to better me – to make me a better person. Even though she’s gone, her spirit lives through other people. They come to me and then I’m able to receive it.”