The chapter “Street Dreams” in my memoir, Change The Game, draws its name and energy from Nas’ song off It Was Written. Just like Nas’ lyrics, this chapter captures the reality of chasing success amidst the allure and traps of the streets…
The Return
The Greyhound bus stopped in New Rochelle, and the pungent odor of street life slapped me in the face. The hood hadn’t changed—the raw energy, broken dreams and peer pressure. It was like jumping into a pool of memories and missed opportunities, each corner holding a story I couldn’t escape.

I walked through Blunt Ave, passing dice games and a fog of weed smoke, feeling the weight of nostalgia and resignation. The laundry room, a haven for drug deals and hood secrets, was a reminder of the lives lived and lost within these concrete walls.
The $80 Reality
This chapter explores the tug-of-war between dreams and the reality of survival. My mother’s ultimatum—get a job or go back to school—forced me to confront what little direction I had. Working at Stop & Shop seemed like a step forward, but when my first paycheck came—a measly $80—the anger and disappointment overwhelmed me.
It wasn’t just about the money. It was the realization that this life, this grind, wasn’t enough. My ambitions were bigger than what the supermarket could provide. But the streets, with all their chaos and promise, called to me louder than ever.

Nas’ Influence
Nas’ “Street Dreams” became the perfect soundtrack to this chapter of my life. His lyrics captured the tension between ambition and reality, the longing for a better life and the traps that come with trying to achieve it in a system designed for failure.
“Street dreams are made of these, niggaz push Beemers and 300 E’s, A drug dealer’s destiny is reaching a key…”

The lyrics replayed in my head as I struggled with my next move. I wanted out, but the streets were the only escape I knew.
The Game Changes
“Street Dreams” is more than a story of survival—it’s a reflection of choices. The projects, with all their beauty and ugliness, taught me resilience, creativity, and a wisdom no classroom could provide. But it also showed me the cost of chasing dreams in a world that offered so few opportunities for people like me.
As I readied myself for the next chapter, I realized that change wouldn’t come from the streets or the system—it would have to come from within.
Join the Movement
Want to dive deeper into this story of transformation? "Change The Game" explores every hard lesson, wrong turn, and breakthrough that brought me here. Each chapter hits different because every street dream comes with a price and a purpose.
For those ready to tell their own story, the CTG Writing Mastery Course opens the door to your voice and your truth, your way.
Visit
www.tmjefferson.org to start your journey.
Because sometimes changing the game means changing yourself first.
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