Thread by @marcio_santos

Look, I'm from the projects in 🇧🇷. I supported my family since 15 & started college at 24.

My first ✈️ was to an internship in NY.

Now, I have a doc about my life, a Google Ad, & I'm the CTO of @faciobeneficios, a @ycombinator company.

Story 👇

1/12

At 18, I was in terrible debt, couldn't afford college.

I didn't even know of a single college graduate in my life.

Yet, my dream was to attend USP, University of São Paulo, the Ivy League of 🇧🇷 which requires high scores on a week-long exam.

The dream took six years.
3/12

I bought my first computer at 19. With no financial education, payment took 18 installments at a predatory rate.

In the projects, we shared a single phone line w/ the ENTIRE building. So I could only access the internet after 1am, after everyone in the building was asleep.

4/12

Indebted since 15, I finally worked my way out of debt at 22.

Now 23, I took the night shift from 10pm to 6am, so I could attend preparatory school from 7am to 1pm in order to get the high score required for acceptance at the University of São Paulo.

5/12

I studied on the bus to work & in the factory bathroom.

I wasn't the best in the preparatory school - I didn't have the time, resources or education. But I worked my ass off.

My dream major, CS, was a full-time program. Since I needed to work FT, I had to go with Finance.

6/12

USP's required week-long entrance exam is during weekdays. The factory didn't allow days off.

Tried donating blood just to get a doctor's note. Doc didn't like it and wouldn't write me a note.

I didn't show up at the factory all that week.

But I got the score I needed!

7/12

Finally got the courage to quit the factory job I'd had since 15 and used my savings to buy an apt & a taxi for my family.

Lived 2 years on a tight budget from savings: US$ 3.00/day - just enough for food & transport.

2 hour commute each way in a packed bus to get to USP.
8/12

I was able to transfer to CS since I was not working anymore.

I was the only Black student in the cohort. Everybody else was younger, with more money, and a better education.

So, I had to study my ass off. But I was really happy for the opportunity.

9/12

It was lonely - I didn't know anyone else in a similar situation.

In the projects, I was the "Ivy League kid".

In the university, I was the Black guy from the Hood.

I tried to bring these two groups together, but it didn't work.

There was a barrier. A discomfort.

10/12

Near the end of the program, a professor was selecting students for an internship at IBM NY.

I was chosen because of my hard work. I got to take my first ever flight, to the US.

I'd learned some English playing Zelda. I could barely order a burger when I first arrived.

11/12

At the University of São Paulo, I got access to opportunities that most Black people don't get.

Now, why did I need to work harder than others simply because I am Black?

Let's change this.

Let's close the opportunity gap and create an equal playing field for all.

12/12