Oliver James, a former illiterate ex-convict, has gained widespread attention as a motivational speaker after overcoming his struggles with reading.
Growing up in a low-income area, he faced challenges due to his illiteracy, leading to a difficult life and multiple setbacks.
“No one ever told me there was a reason to take school seriously,” James said. (Trending: Transgender Actor ‘Purposefully Misgendered’ By Airline Employee)
Oliver James kept it a secret that most of his life he couldn’t read. Now he shares his literacy progress on TikTok to inspire others. https://t.co/KWa3pyNh4X
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 29, 2023
“It was just a place I had to be. I couldn’t read like the other kids. They were so far ahead,” he said.
“I didn’t know how to maneuver around the world normally; I always had to do things like a person who doesn’t know how to read,” he added.
However, in 2020, he decided to confront his shame and learn to read, eventually chronicling his journey on social media.
“I can’t have a kid until I read,” he recalled deciding.
“I realized this is my time to figure out what I can do to grow.”
“I would read the same quote for a week,” James said.
“It was really hard.”
“There’s nothing that compares to reading,” he said.
His story gained significant traction, leading to speaking engagements, media coverage, and the Barbara Bush National Literacy Honors Award.
“When I couldn’t read, I couldn’t help myself,” he said.
“It feels like I found my purpose,” he said. “I’m finally contributing to the world.”
James now reads at a fifth-grade level, has become a father, and feels he has found his purpose in contributing to the world.
“I went from being a person who didn’t know how to read to a person who is now getting awards,” James said.
“These are things that I never thought I could do.”
“The world is totally different now,” he said.
“It’s everything I ever wanted.”
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