My name is Jalen, I was born in St.Louis Missouri. I was born to a mother and father who through painful circumstances divorced. I have early memories of my mother and father being together, then afterwards, a short time in an abusive shelter. Next were distorted memories, until fnally arriving at a home that is now occupied by my grandfather. I remember a short time in her custody, then eventually handed over by her to my father. I was a boy who loved to socialize and explore, always trying to make friends and express myself. I have positive memories of my father up until the age of 8 or so,then black. Nothing until the age of 11, when I got abused for the first time by the man that was supposed to protect me. I was beat with a belt for 10 minutes while having vicious insults screamed at me. This was my first time having the world flipped on me. I went from a kid that was happy to explore, to a kid that was terried to express. After years of manipulation, disgraceful words, violent physical outbursts, and attempts to mind control, I stood up to him,and I was free. A 19 year old kid with a world ahead of him, and a friend group to discover it with. That friend group was his safety, his reason to love himself, and would eventually be the reason for his success. Many years were spent in self discovery, purpose driven action to find out who he is and what he wants, and at the age of 28, he realoized what needed to be done. He needed to reflect on his childhood, say goodbye to his past, and reach for his future.