From Streets to Success: When Past Meets Aspiration

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Have you ever felt like your past mistakes would forever define your future? Join me, Sterling Brown, on a candid exploration of my journey from a turbulent past filled with legal troubles to a hopeful path in education. Between 1996 and 2000, I faced a range of challenges, from misdemeanors to felonies, all while trying to navigate away from the negative mindset of Philadelphia. But the turning point came with the realization of impending fatherhood, driving me to break the cycle of my upbringing and strive for a better future despite societal barriers.

Listen as I recount an eye-opening experience during a university admissions interview where my past confronted me once more, threatening my dreams of pursuing a career in education. This episode is a raw narrative of perseverance, revealing the ongoing struggle to transform oneself and strive for success against all odds. Whether you're grappling with your own setbacks or searching for motivation to keep pushing forward, my story serves as a testament that change is possible, and your past does not have to dictate your future. Keep going, don't quit, and let's tackle life's challenges together.

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This episode was hosted by Sterling Brown

Episode Transcript

(00:38):
Welcome to another episode ofStruggle to Success podcast.
I'm your host, sterling Brown.
Before I start, I just want toshare that the show has reached
over 59 downloads across 14cities, as far as Missouri and
Boardman, oregon.
I'm just so excited there areso many people who are
connecting with the message.

(00:58):
About two weeks ago, I got somemuch needed encouragement from
a good friend of mine at the gym.
While we were talking, Imentioned I finally got my
podcast running and his onlywords were keep going.
Those encouraging words stayedwith me all day.
But it also had me thinking howmany times do we start projects
and sometime later we'relooking for the exit, pushing

(01:22):
that hot idea to the back burner?
But what if all we needed wassomething as simple as keep
going, pushing through that task, that project, the process of
one more hour, one more day?
So whatever you're trying toaccomplish during the process, I
want you to keep going.
No, I need you to keep goingand don't quit.

(01:42):
Now let's get into the episode.
Everyone has a past, moments orchapters filled with poor
judgment.
So between 1996 and 2000, mineincluded felonies, misdemeanors
and bouts of disorderly conduct.
I thought I was escaping theviolence and negative behavior
of Philadelphia.
But the only thing I did, Ibrought all those issues with me

(02:06):
, and that was truly evident.
Being transparent about my pastis crucial for my forward
momentum.
No matter how significant myissues seem, I must either be
part of the solution or revertto being part of the problem in
our society.
I began listening to my innervoice urging me to make better
choices, and committed tobecoming a better version of

(02:26):
myself.
However, I struggled withregret over my past, especially
when I would see the youthhanging around the corners,
hustling, convinced as I oncewas that the fast life was the
only way out.
I used to think I'm onlyselling marijuana.
I didn't fully consider theimpact of my actions on others.
I was just too caught up.

(02:47):
Later I learned I was going tobe a father.
I had no idea on how to be afather.
I had never had one in my life.
I had just seen my biologicalfather after 26 years, who was
serving a life sentence.
My closest experience tofatherhood came from my foster
mother.
As for the few men in and outof my biological mom's life,

(03:07):
they were all trash.
I was determined to be a greatdad and leader for my family,
yet the mother of my childremained involved in the streets
.
I was trying to leave behindFrom individuals and places.
She disregarded my efforts tobecoming a better man and
responsible father, whichultimately led to our permanent
separation.

(03:28):
I moved to York, pa, and andthen to Reading, pa, to finish
college.
After completing an associate'sdegree in early childhood
education and while in theprocess of transferring to the
graduate school, I received anemail inviting me to a meeting
with a senior official at theuniversity I had applied to.
I imagined this grandacceptance based on my high

(03:48):
grades and honor society at theprevious college.
I remember entering his officeand being complimented on my
suit as I sat across from him.
I expressed my appreciation andeagerness to become a
distinguished graduate.
Yet I could feel something offabout his smile and, as if he
couldn't hold it in anymore, heasked about my criminal history,

(04:09):
which I had disclosed on myapplication.
I acknowledged that it was atime of weakness and poor
decisions.
Furthermore, I had learned toembrace, struggle, keep moving
forward.
He then asked if I hadconsidered a different major
other than teaching.
I replied no, the thoughthadn't crossed my mind.
He said then with a straightface Sterling, I had the utmost

(04:31):
respect for your honesty on yourapplication and I'm saddened to
inform you that I cannot offeryou this major in education due
to your felony conviction.
I'll never forget that feelingof defeat as I maintained my
composure and continued ourconversation, still wanting to
teach.
Sometime later I went back toschool and obtained the
necessary credits to become apre-K center director.

(04:53):
Later I was informed about anopportunity with the Reading
School District for aparaprofessional position.
After applying, I wasinterviewed by a panel and after
an hour and a half ofeducational situational
awareness questions, I was askedif I had anything to add.
Before concluding the interviewquestions, I was asked if I had
anything to add.
Before concluding the interview, I looked around the room and

(05:14):
made contact with all six panelmembers and said there was a
time in my life when I made somepoor decisions which resulted
in a criminal history.
I have since learned from theseexperiences and prepared a copy
of my past history in my folderfor your review.
I was thanked for my honestyand escorted to the exit.
I felt confident in God's plan.

(05:35):
I received a call for afollow-up interview in two days
with the human resourcesdirector.
The meeting was brief.
She said Sterling witheverything that you have been
through and accomplished sinceyour legal issues it would be a
crime if you didn't seek to haveyour past pardoned and expunged
and then offered me the job.
After I left that day I keptreplaying her words in my head,

(05:58):
wondering why I hadn't knownthis information.
This director was moved by myresilience and wanted to help me
help myself.
In the weeks that followed, Isecured a meeting with the Board
of Education.
The information that I was toldby that university official was
totally incorrect.
I still could pursue a degreein education and get this.

(06:20):
I scheduled a meeting with theBoard of Pardons, located in the
same building, only a fewfloors down from the Board of
Education.
Between working full-time forthe Reading School District and
taking a part-time job at theReading Parking Authority, I
continued my college classes inPottstown, pa.
I filed the necessary documentsto start the process with the

(06:41):
Board of Parks.
A year later, I receivedcorrespondence from the Board of
Parole requesting a home visitand an application review.
I was thrilled and lookedforward to this visit.
Eventually, I had the visit andwas told my application would
be submitted for review and, ifapproved, it would go before a
panel.
However, if it was rejected, Iwould need to reapply.

(07:03):
I received a unanimous 5-0 votein my favor.
On December 18th 2019, I stoodbefore the Board of Pardons at
the Capitol in Harrisburg,filled with so much emotion I
convinced myself, regardless ofthe outcome, I would have the
opportunity to seek forgivenessfor my past and express my
internal gratitude for thisonce-in-a-lifetime moment.

(07:26):
I entered that conference roomat 9 am and by 5 pm, my felonies
had been pardoned.
The board and pardons contactedme, informed me that I would
need to meet with an attorney tohave my records expunged with
the state police.
A month later, my lawyerinformed me that my records had
been expunged, to think I hadprepared myself to live under

(07:48):
this dark cloud for the rest ofmy life.
Listen, don't let your pastdefine you.
Long ago, I decided I neverwanted to revert back to that
young man named Quill, lost inthe streets.
Reflecting on this journey, Irealized how essential it was to
remain resilient even when theodds seem insurmountable.
Each step, from balancing workand school to navigating the

(08:13):
legal process, tested mycommitment to change and
personal growth.
This experience has taught methat our past does not have to
define our future.
We all have the power torewrite our stories, seek
redemption and strive for a lifefilled with meaning.
This pardon signifies more thanjust a legal victory.
It symbolizes renewed hope andthe opportunity to build a

(08:36):
brighter future.
I stand as a testament to thepower of perseverance and the
possibility of redemption Movingforward.
I'm committed to using thissecond chance to contribute
positively to my community andhelping others who may be in a
similar journey.
This experience has transformedmy life and reinforced my
belief in the potential forchange and importance of never

(08:58):
giving up on oneself.
When my children make mistakes,as a father, I often pull them
in the room, discuss whathappened, I encourage them to
share their perspective, butultimately I tell them to make
better choices.
This led me to ponder how manytimes have we stood at the
crossroads of choices?
We hear that inner voice saymake better choices, yet we

(09:21):
often take the wrong path.
Your brain says to go right,but your feet want to walk to
the left.
So if you're listening todayand you've made mistakes or feel
trapped in the weight of yourpast, remember this you have the
power to change your journey.
My journey wasn't easy, farfrom it, but each struggle
brought a lesson and eachsetback was a chance for growth.

(09:44):
Redemption isn't about erasingthe past.
It's about building a futureyou can be proud of, one choice
at a time.
It's about refusing to let yourpast define you and choosing
every single day to be a betterversion of yourself.
So the next time you findyourself at the crossroads, take
a breath, listen to that voiceand make better choices.

(10:06):
In our next episode, I'lldiscuss overcoming anxiety, so
be sure to listen in.
Hey, leave me a comment lettingme know what you think about
the podcast so far.
Stay strong and believe me whenI say success is on the other
side, and remember life istrials.
Stay focused.

Speaker 1 (10:26):
Thanks for checking out this episode of Struggle to
Success.
To connect with the show, youcan email us at
struggletosuccessp at gmailcom.
Make sure you like andsubscribe so that you never miss
an episode.
And remember life is trials,Stay focused.