Motivational speaker Dee Hankins has devoted his gifts, skills, and ...

Motivational speaker Dee Hankins has devoted his gifts, skills, and talents for the sole purpose of
helping people reach their goals and achieve individual success.
I was 2 months old when I was placed into the foster care system. My biological mom had taken me to
the hospital one night when she noticed I wasn’t breathing properly. The doctor had found small
amounts of cocaine in my system. One of the people in the house at that time must have been using and
accidently touched my face or something. That night, the Doctor, literally saved my life.
I spent my first 4 years in a loving home with a mother, father and siblings. One day after
returning home from a full day of fun and friends, I felt something that I’ve never felt before, we call it
tension. When I got into the house I caught a glimpse of my (foster) mom crying. I also noticed that my
bedroom, which was once so filled with toys it reminded me of Toys‐R‐Us on black Friday, completely
empty. The only thing that remained was a small, Superman suitcase, packed with clothes. With a quick
hug and kiss from my mom and a whisper of “I Love You”, the social worker, who was also present at the
time, walked me to her car, grabbed my belongings, and that was that. I’ve never seen the woman I
called mom again. Sadly enough this wouldn’t be the last time I would have to endure this heartbreaking
experience.
I spent the next 8 years of my life literally bouncing around from home to home. I began to feel
unwanted and anger started to manifest itself in my behavior. I developed sever trust issues, anger
issues, authority issues. I would often get into trouble at school for foul language, fighting and an overall
lack of respect for authority. Most of the care providers I stayed with had no other choice but to release
me and place me back in the hand of my social workers.
I was 12 years old when I landed in foster home #12. This would be my last.
Most of my young life I strongly believed that no one cared about me. I felt that it was just me against
the world and I was going at it alone with no light at the end of my tunnel. Statistically, almost 50% of
African American males placed in the foster care system drop out of high school. We are almost 10

times more likely to end up in a prison than to ever step foot on a college campus. Now this would have
been the case for me had I not gotten a call from a college sponsorship program called United Friends of
the Children. They persistently encouraged me to enroll in college and even offered me a scholarship.
Their effort opened my eyes and changed my entire view on life itself. They helped me realize that there
are people who do care.
I did not drop out of high school and I definitely did not end up in prison. As a matter of fact, I graduated
from California State University; Long Beach with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. I’ve also started my own
business called Win Your Challenges. I’ve come to realize that God has blessed me with a gift of
speaking and a story to tell. Life has challenges, some small, some big, and my job is to help inspire
people to win them, ESPECIALLY MY FAMILY: CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH. Visit me at
www.winyourchallenges.com. May God bless and keep you always!