I grew up in Akron with a single mother in government housing. Some days we were unsure of what we were going to eat. When I was 13, my mother finished her teaching degree and became a full time teacher. Our lives improved; better housing, more food security, and less stress. I realized at that time how education could transform a person’s life. I graduated from North High School and went on to attend the University of Akron, The Ohio State University, and Harvard University. I now hold multiple degrees and am proud of my accomplishments yet I have never forgotten my childhood experiences. Those years taught me how important it was and still is for the government to provide ladders out of poverty for people working to achieve their goals. The assistance we received ensured we survived, and eventually thrived.