The ACC Long Beach campus welcomed an inspirational guest when Sirr Parker paid the school a visit. Sirr Parker came to the campus to share his story of triumph over the circumstances he was born into. Parker's improbable rise from a difficult childhood was so compelling that Hollywood turned it into a showtime movie in 2001.
Parker shared his determination with faculty and students. “Your choice to become great, like I said, it's already in you. You just have to tap into it” he said. Parker grew up in South Los Angeles despite an absentee father, an unstable substance abusing mother, the constant threat of gang violence all around him, and easy access to drugs, Parker was a straight-a student and shined on the football field.
"Nothing is impossible"
Since his retirement from football Parker has dedicated himself to helping at-risk youth and inspiring others to achieve their goals. “Nothing is impossible, if my kid told me right now, ‘I want to fly’ and he did everything he had to do, preparation, worked at it, studied it... boy let me know when you're going to fly, let me know” Parker shared. He is honoring the vow he made to return to his roots in Southern California after a career in football Parker works full-time at a juvenile detention center where he mentors at risk youth.
His message touched ACC students and faculty alike, inspiring them to reach for their goals and achieve their dreams. Parkers message didn’t stop after speaking to the group. He took the time to speak one-on-one with students who have experienced gang violence themselves. Parker’s work to inspire and motivate local youth to overcome their circumstances and achieve their dreams was certainly felt at the Long Beach campus.
To see more about Sirr Parker’s visit, watch the video above.
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