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
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