Sebastian 'Franco' Ramsey

Let me start by saying how humbled and honored I am to have been afforded a blank canvas to write a short story with a bit of humor. I would not have imagined that I would be in such a position, some thirty years after high school, writing and being an advocate for education, as I was not interested when it was my time to sit in those seats of learning.

I grew up in the Heart of Dixie/cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, Montgomery Alabama in the 70/80s, two parent household and in an upper Middle Class neighborhood. Elementary (1-5) was spent in a Private Christian School, Sixth Grade (all black Catholic School) and then I entered into the Public School System thereafter. I had a very diverse and eventful childhood, as I was the youngest child in the neighborhood that was always at everyone’s home (even sitting with the 50-60yr old neighbors) before going to play with the older children that were anywhere from 4 -10 years older. Can you imagine being a 5yr. old playing with 15yr. old children being treated like you were 15 (what a time we had in the 80s). With such activity, it led me to playing organized basketball starting in the 2nd grade throughout highschool. Yes, I added baseball and football a couple of years later, however, by the time I got to the 8th grade I decided to let them go and concentrate on basketball. By the time I got to the 12th grade, I was burned out and didn’t play my senior year. It was not until I got older and it occurred to me that the “burnout” was simply me growing and realizing that I was not really passionate about basketball, however, just doing what was fun as a child growing up playing in the neighborhood.

Dad, from the Bahamas and worked Domestic jobs, Mom was a native of Montgomery and a Librarian. Can you imagine, I was a child of a librarian that didn’t read a book from cover to cover until the 12th grade. I was not interested in Beowulf, Encyclopedia Brown, or Wuthering Heights for that matter, however, I did enjoy Literature and anything related to Mathematics. When it was time for college I didn’t hesitate on going because I just figured that was the next phase of life. Outside of music, I have always been fascinated with various style homes. Real Estate was only offered at 1 college I believe back then, which led me to pursuing and getting a Marketing Degree from Alabama A&M University.

I spent close to 20 years in Outside Sales in various Industries from Security, Medical, Legal, Software, Chemicals, Coporate Sales Trainer, however, my most rewarding position was that of a College Recruiter. Students that had no desire to attend college would still tell me Thank You because I made them realize they needed to get serious about a game-plan for life. This made me realize that we are doing our children such a dis-service with just the Traditional way of presenting education and all the wonderful experiences that life has to offer. More times than not, our children are not allowed to even experience nor discover what their true passion may be and how to apply the educational journey to turn it into greatness. We are compartmentalizing so many brilliant minds and not allowing the children to explore endless possibilities. Exposure is the key to unlocking the potential in our children. How can a child Dream of what he/she has never been exposed to?

This story was shared to give a glimpse into my Big personality. I grew up establishing relationships since I was a child and still cherish them to this day. Even though I was like most urban children with dreams of Pro Ball, I spent all my school years without information on real estate and music industries except for what I had seen on television. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know is what I grew up hearing until I went off to college. The harsh reality is not all children will be afforded the opportunity of having a natural Big personality, however, they too deserve to Find their place of happiness in this wonderful world.