A Vital Mission on Chicago's South Side

In many ways, the South Side of Chicago made me who I am. Growing up there, I was surrounded by black men and women who worked hard, who provided for their families, and who took pride in knowing that everything they had they earned by their own sweat and smarts. It wasn't easy, and, no, we weren't all angels all the time. But there was a pervasive attitude among my family and friends that no one was going to hand you anything on a platter. And if you messed up, you better be prepared to take responsibility.