Potential is universal, opportunity is not.

Do you think that we're products of our environments? I think so, or maybe products of our expectations. Others' expectations of us or our expectations. I mean others' expectations that you take on as your own. I realize how difficult it is to seperate the two. The expectations that others place on us help us form our expectations of ourselves.

I began at some point to understand the whole idea of accountability and responsibility and leadership, and I think that was something that really birthed something in me, where I knew I wanted to be part of a larger equation in our society.

The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his.

But really, where leadership is born and where leadership is really bred is.

Potential is universal, opportunity is not.

I just want to make sure that public service doesn't have to be an occupation, but it needs to be a way of life.