Do you know what it it like, all your life, to put bad memories in the back of your mind, pretending they are not there. That's what Dominic had to do to survive.  These pictures are from some of the happier times in his life. However, what does come to mind is a comment that a high school guidance counselor made in Dominic's senior year that could have destroyed him. Boy, did he have some "gift" in mind.  The counselor,  informed Dominic one day in his office that he should not waste his time applying to college.  In the counselor's words, Dominic  would  be a statistic. "Dead or in Jail." He said it so matter of factly. The counselor happened to be an African American.  His words hurt,  but excuses have never been part of Dominic's character. Those words were only motivation. A reason to graduate from college in three years instead of the traditional four.  From a young age, Dominic always believed that "he could succeed. Yes, Dominic Carter would soar,"  even with the liability of Dominic's mother chained to his ankle.