Age 13 Football tryouts for traveling team, obviously better player than the other kid trying for the position. The location was In Lawrenceville, GA known for racial issues. The other kid was a white young adult same age however, his dad was well known to the football program. The white kid got the position.
-My parents were born in the 1950's being born and living in the south my parents didn't have to knowledge to educate me on doing business and finances needed to build start up business, nor have the finances to begin a trust fund to allow equal opportunity as others (whites) would have.
-1999, The opportunity to attend college to gain knowledge and become successful wasn't and option for me given I couldn't afford college to get an education.
-2001 I joined the Marines to attempting to break the trend of past family tendencies. After joining signs were noticeable that the equal balance of color to position ratios were lopsided, especially the seniors at the top. Knowing the obvious and determined to succeed, I continued to push forward just to be confronted by a peer Marine in 2002, confronting me stating what's up you Nigger! My response was Excuse me what did you say, Yes I said it, you are a Nigger. Understanding this Marine had a few too many beers, I confronted him the next day and asked him did he remember what he said to me the night before and his response was Yes, I call you a Nigger and I meant what I said. Being in the Marines and openly knowing you have peers that look at you as if you are not equal is difficult however, knowing this Marine wasn't the alone in his thoughts and that you superiors may feel the same way was disheartening. Especially when they controlled your career.
2004-I remember my sergeants treating me differently because I was black, it was evident given the way they communicated with me, the way they treated me in inspections, how they graded my performance vs a non person of colors performance.
2014-Upon my exit from the Marines and entered the business world, from first glance I noticed the lack of acceptance, I wasn't wanted in some areas. It's like I was looked at as a threat, I've overheard comments. "You have to have one", "there goes the neighborhood", or perhaps where did he come from. I've applied for mentorships and enhancement entrepreneurship programs and was denied when I've meet all criteria.
On the other hand to be competitive and bid contracts financial backing is needed. Given my background I've lacked the ability to fully fund a competitive startup company that would be equally competitive to other companies given these individuals have been in business for years, either their families started them or families had the ability to financially support them. So this treatment of disadvantages didn’t start with entrepreneurship, it been all my life…