A recent article from NewsOne’s Dr. Boyce Watkins highlights the remarkable story of David Boone, a Cleveland high school student who went from homelessness to acceptance at Harvard University.

When his family was torn apart by conflict with local gang members, Boone couch-surfed, and inevitably lived on the streets. He’d duck into his friend’s house to shower in the morning, do homework in train stations, and desperately withstood pressure to join local gangs.

Boone’s hard work and perseverance paid off in spades; he’s the salutatorian of his high school, and will be attending Harvard University in the fall.

His struggle and eventual redemption are mind-blowing reminders that anything is possible if we never give up hope. But as Dr. Watkins explains, it is also a reminder of the incredible up-hill battle faced by many young black men in America.

From NewsOne:

“While I applaud David for what he has overcome, I have to also ask more difficult questions: Why does the life of a Black male in America have to be so damn hard in the first place?  Why must so many of our young men be able to dodge bullets, overcome inferior educational systems, get out of bed hungry, and step over crackheads in order to get out of high school?  Do we expect 20-million men to be as strong, focused, disciplined, cautious and as lucky as David?  

I hope that’s not our plan for overcoming systemic oppression in America.”

Read more at NewsOne.com

Congratulations to David Boone, and best of luck this fall!

Are you inspired by David Boone’s story?

Why is the road so difficult for young black men in America?

Sound off below!