"You overcome the challenges, and you learn from the obstacles. You use the experience to help you live a better life. You don't just think how bad your life was because you had to go through things; you say how lucky you are to have so much experience."

"Something that I've learned from my mentor is always pay things forward, not necessarily with money, but with actions and deeds. You're not alone. You're not the only one out there in a bad situation. Beat the odds and you'll succeed."

The night before the event he ripped up his speech, threw it away, and told a story which his mother shared with him after a week filled with days of turmoil. The story of the Rock.

When Britany Lewis was born, no trumpets and glad tidings or even balloons and baby showers greeted her arrival. She was just another poor baby. Brita...

During this Thanksgiving week, I hope those political leaders who refuse to invest in creating new jobs to help struggling families while protecting tax breaks for the richest Americans will reflect on what their and America's true values are.