Born with cerebral palsy at just 23 weeks and weighing 1 pound, Tyrese’s head was the size of an egg. The doctors said if he lived he would live in a vegetative state without the ability to see, speak, or think – but he proved them wrong. Despite going through some hard times, several surgeries, doctor’s visits and hospital stays, Tyrese and his family were always focused on his abilities and not his disability.

With NAC’s help, Tyrese excelled in school, learned to advocate for himself and others with disabilities, and persevered through every challenge he faced. At a young age, Tyrese decided he wanted to become a lawyer and help those who couldn’t help themselves. It didn’t surprise anyone that he set his sights on Harvard Law School. After all, he was already a gold medalist in the Special Olympics; made a short film about his life; was featured in the HBO special “I Can Be President;” and interned for the District Attorney’s office. After taking a special trip to Washington DC with NAC’s College Bound Program to visit colleges and see our nation’s capital, Tyrese applied to 10 colleges and was accepted to all of them. He received a full scholarship to New York University where he is currently a Junior. He is well on his way to following in the steps of his heroes Franklin D. Roosevelt and Barack Obama. “Just because I am in this wheelchair,” says Tyrese, “doesn’t mean I can’t be President one day.”