From Adversity to Development HQ

My Journey of Transformation

What inspired me to start Development HQ and focus on empowering communities through small-business investment was my own life experience.

I grew up during the 1980s and 1990s in a neighborhood where negative activity was often glorified. It was a dog-eat-dog environment, and many people felt they had to do whatever they could to survive or get ahead. My family struggled financially. We were often evicted because my parents could not keep the rent paid, and there were times when keeping food on the table was difficult.

Growing up in that environment, I eventually found myself following the same path I saw around me. I became a product of my circumstances and ultimately received a ten-year prison sentence.

While incarcerated, I made a decision that I would not use my time trying to become a better criminal. I used that time to rebuild myself mentally, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically. I read, studied, learned new skills, and educated myself about the city and state resources that could help me rebuild my life after my release.

On July 22, 2010, I was released from East Jersey State Prison after serving nine years, seven months, and twelve days. That was when I began putting the plan I had created into action.

I came home determined to build a better life for myself and my children, but I also wanted to help people who were going through the same struggles I had experienced. I wanted to support people who had grown up in poverty, made mistakes, lacked opportunities, or simply needed the right information and guidance to move forward.

One of the greatest lessons I learned was that knowledge is one of the most powerful things you can give a person. Money and possessions can be lost or taken away, but the knowledge a person gains can remain with them for life. When used properly, information can change a person’s decisions, opportunities, and future.

That belief became part of the foundation of Development HQ.

I chose to focus on small businesses because strong businesses can help create strong communities. They create jobs, build local ownership, circulate money within neighborhoods, and provide people with opportunities that may not otherwise exist.

Development HQ is my way of using what I have learned through hardship, incarceration, education, personal development, technology, and entrepreneurship to help others build better lives, stronger businesses, and more empowered communities.

I believe that the development of one’s life starts at headquarters—thyself, yourself. When you begin by improving yourself, you can improve your surroundings, and ultimately, begin to improve your life.