The Secret to Success

Despite all the negativity and all the things I had been through, Detroit still had a special place in my heart. Hell, all I ever really knew was Detroit so even though I was excited about the idea of going away to college, I was afraid of going so far away from home. Alabama was approximately 700 miles from Detroit—a long way from the only place I ever really knew as home. Although my mom and I had an estranged relationship and things were far from what they once were, I still thought about her and my sisters a lot and I couldn’t imagine being so far from them. I did not have any family in Huntsville, Alabama or friends for that matter. I knew Alabama would not be like Detroit. I heard about the racism, the KKK, and how African Americans were treated like second-class citizens. But I was willing to take my chances and venture out in the unknown if it meant being with De.

I’ll never forget the day we packed De’s mother’s Excursion van. After packing my bags, I had prayer with the Cannonier’s. Sister Cannonier gave me a great big hug and a bag with lunch for the road. Brother Cannonier gave me a hug and said in his West Indies accent, “I am proud of you, but don’t come back without your degree.” Then I made my final visits. I drove by St. Bede on 12 mile, and then passed Southfield Lathrup on the way toward my parents. As I approached the house the events that occurred over two years ago replayed in my head. As I walked through the doors, I gave my little sisters Jeneco and Malori a hug and a kiss and told them I love them and that I would miss them. I spoke with my parents briefly. They gave me a brief pep talk and $1,000.00 in cash and wished me well.

Before I went to De’s house there was one more stop I knew I had to make, a stop that I had been dreading since the day I found out that I passed the test. That stop was to Bob’s house. As I got out of the car I began feeling sick to my stomach. Bob meant the world to me and now I felt as if I was leaving him high and dry. On the walk up to the house I began imagining that he was coming with me and that I was just there to pick him up. I knocked on the door and Bob came out with that classic smile on his face. “You outta here boy?” he asked in an excited tone. “Yeah bro I’m out.” Bob could see the anguish in my face and tried to lighten the mood. “You know I’m going to be coming down there to visit you like once or twice a month right?” “I’m getting a car soon so I am going to be down there like all the time.” I remember feeling so guilty. I mean, here was the guy that poured so much into me at a time when I had nothing and nobody, and I was the one off to college while he stayed in Detroit. Bob was the first one who told me about Oakwood years ago before I even thought about college. I would have traded spots with Bob that instant if I thought I could. “Oh you’re getting a ride?” was all I could manage to say. “You better get going bro, I know how De be on your head about being on time” he said laughing. “Thanks man” I said quietly. “Man you ain’t gotta thank...” “Bob” I said cutting him off, “For real man, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Realizing I was serious Bob reached and we executed our patented handshake we made up years ago followed by a brief hug. “Call me as soon as you get there” Bob yelled out as I opened the car door. “No doubt bro!” I yelled back. I shut the car door and headed to De’s house trying unsuccessfully to hold back the tears as I rounded the corner.

On my way to De’s house I drove past Henry Ford and up Trojan to Brail reminiscing the entire time. When I finally made it there, her mom had packed all De’s stuff so I put my bike and my suitcase in the van and sat quietly as we headed for Alabama. We hit 75 south towards Toledo and passed Tiger Stadium. “Goodbye Detroit.”

SECTION

III

THE SECRET TO MY SUCCESS

CHAPTER

10

Oakwood: It’s a Different World

“Surround yourself with positive people and look for people who are already where you want to be.”