My name is Delroy Smith and I am 25 years of age born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, I always fancied the idea of creating; sculpting, building, sketching, painting, poetry and even music. My mother always knew I had a gift. Therefore, she frequently planned trips to the museum, zoo and library so that we could always engage in activities that were constructive.
During my adolescent stage, I was constantly picked on by other students in my elementary and junior high school, and even though it seems cliché, that was the norm for me especially because I had to deal with my father's death in the 1st grade. I learned to defend myself, even if it meant being violent to the individual that threatened to do me harm. My younger siblings, Ethan and Tracey all went to the same elementary school as me because my mother always wanted us to stick together and taught us that friends can always lead us to the wrong path. Which is why she made sure to instill love, courage, faith, and the joy of sticking together as a family.
My mother and grandmother were my 2 best friends and sole providers growing up. They supplied me with relentless self-confidence to stand strong despite what anyone else thought. My grandmother always preached that "it doesn't matter who hates you, Jesus and I love you" and that stuck with me even up to this day. HS was a dilemma because during that period of time I was struggling with my identity. I wanted to fit in every popular clique but felt that I wasn't "cool" or had enough "swag". I had no interest in fashion, just trends. My mom accepted me but I wanted everyone to feel the very same. I thought wearing Jordan's would make my school peers accept me. Talking the way they do, dressing like them...cloning myself to what I thought HS society wanted every teenager to be. Interestingly enough, during my last 2 years of HS I became extremely popular due to the fact I learned to be comfortable with myself (but was still struggling with inner demons).
In college, I experimented with so many looks and made sure to stick out like a sore thumb. I kicked it up 10 notches not because I wanted attention but because I found my identity which was expressing my inner being through clothing. In my last two years of college, I was known as the kid that could "dress his ass off!" but remained humble through it all. My grandmother always said, "clothes do not make the man, its their morals and attributes." She instilled humility, kindness and always told me to appreciate every moment and to love everyone. Afore I mentioned that I was battling an inner demon....my sexuality. The fact that my mother and I have a great relationship, I needed to tell her. I also came out to many of my friends who fortunately still accepted me. Finally, I accepted myself and relinquished all of the negative forces that were in my head.
