My life story of Fighting with Faith, Facing the Facts, and Adopting an Attitude of Triumph captivates audiences throughout this nation.
Nearly two decades ago, I received the devastating diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease, also known as PKD. Viewing the potential of this disease’s impact upon my life through the lens of personal history was far too real. After I had a successful kidney transplant and subsequent battle, I observed the complications of End- Stage-Renal Failure (ESRF) eventually take my mother’s life, far too soon. She was more than 10 years post her transplant. As a husband to my loving wife, the father of two amazing children, and a friend to so many, I was too young to die – period!
I had a message for PKD, a signal from my deepest spiritual core
– PKD know this … I am an overcomer!
Over the course of my journey with PKD, fear had no say within me. I was confident that my God, who provided my wife and I with two beautiful children within a year of my first kidney transplant, would reward me with the privilege to be present to raise them.
As a result of my physical and mental challenges with this disease, my faith grew stronger day by day. With determination, prayer, and purpose, I overcame this generational curse. Triumph was not only experienced in my health realm, but in my professional life as well.
Life is cyclical, so it is important to plant the harvest you desire to reap during times of hardship and testing. I was blessed to complete a bachelor’s degree at Howard University and an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. I am graced to be an accomplished business leader, today serving as a Sales Executive for Microsoft. I am privileged to lead a team of Sales Specialists focused on marketing consulting services engagements to customers in the public sector.
Through favor and grace, I serve on the Board of Trustees for Lincoln University (PA), the Board of Directors of the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund (KSEF) for the Washington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc., and Kids in Need Foundation.
Community reinvestment is one of my personal cornerstones. From that foundation I reinvest in others as a Servant Leader at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG), serving from the front in areas of Men’s Ministry and spiritual formation groups. I also enjoy taking active roles in philanthropy projects that meet the basic needs of others.
My family is my compass, so it is my honor to be a devoted husband to my wife, a very hands-on father with my children and their varied interests.
Count it joy when you face diverse trials and troubles. Why, because with God presence and power, you will win and be your best self for the challenges!
What would you do if within the span of thirty days you learned that you were having your personal dream come true – becoming the father of your first child, and discovered you needed a kidney
transplant?
Every person has a story – welcome to mine.
PKD is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop in the kidneys, causing them to enlarge and lose function over time. Cysts are noncancerous round sacs containing fluid. The cysts vary in size, and they can grow quite large.
This devastating disease has inflicted physical, mental, and relational mayhem upon the lives of my family members. It is a hereditary malady and was passed down over generations from my maternal family line. It visited upon my grandmother, mother, sisters and now me. Our personal prayer declaration is “this curse stops at this generation”.
I waged an effective war against this medical condition by choosing faith over fear daily, sometimes hour by hour. By surrendering control of my life to God and trusting His orchestration of my every step towards the discovery of a kidney donor, I continue living an empowered life.
My passion is to educate people regarding the importance of developing healthy nutritional and behavioral habits, as well as sharing valuable information on kidney disease, including advice and tips from my journey as an advocate for the National Kidney Foundation.
It is an amazing testimony to share with the masses – I have undergone two kidney transplants and am here among you to tell of the experiences. Nineteen years after my diagnosis of PKD, I am here as your encourager – sharing my truths, to help you see and face your truths – making it known that you too can
overcome the impossible!
My experience, shared in the power of my voice, and with one-hour of investment, you are empowered to overcome the many obstacles within your own lives. You will walk away with a renewed belief in, “It is not about the knock-down, but about the get-up!”
Learn more about the National Kidney Foundation…
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