Roger Caesar

Transcript

I believe the ability to be great lies within all of us but I also believe that our greatness can be determined by the inspiration of others who inspires you who are you inspiring my great ones at the age of 11 I entered my first talent show contest with dreams of being a star my mom's only stipulation your sister goes with you who no talent rayon I was doomed from the get-go but the show started Rihanna went on stage first looking like a deer in headlights shaking like Bambi i strutted out like a proud peacock but when I looked in the crowd I can see the

shocked look on my mom's face why well I had a wardrobe change off went my tie shirt open like John Travolta and staying alive an 11 year old with a purchase that streamed superstar baby you'll find there's only one love yours and mine I got so much love yeah and then it was her turn all I want is to let me show how much I love you baby she ruined the whole song lionel richie would have fainted the show ended huge applause but I ran to my mom upset why would you let her go on stage with me you knew I wanted to be great

you were great well while you are worrying about you and only you you didn't see that rayon stepped out of her comfort zone for the first time because you inspired her being great isn't always about you it's about how you inspire others to find their greatness wow I didn't see it like that the following year we went on stage again but this time I let her dance no singing here but she was different confident and she danced like a star I was inspired who inspires you who are you inspiring from an early age my mom was the soldiers of source of vocal wisdom that I

used to this very day but bye dad well not so much now don't get me wrong dad was no slouch dad can outtalk a politician hashtag Hillary and Trump but he worked hard and with mom built the family business from the ground up but as a teen we would often clash because we didn't get along can anyone relate while he was focused on family ties I just wanted him to focus on me and so I resented him I thought he didn't care I rebelled and left home thinking life would be better out there and dad did what any other father would do dammit he celebrated

even packed my bags my room was changed into a salon for my mother but I knew I had to change for two long years I found myself in many precarious situations with the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time still thinking I got this until one fateful night a fight broke out in a club in resulting in the death of my best friend there was no pain like watching someone die in your arms this was the last straw I had to go home I wanted to go home but how can I face him me a failure but without stretched arms no words

he welcomed me home here I was trying not to be him that I didn't realize all the great qualities that he possessed his perseverance persistence patience he led by example and he inspired me to do the same why do we so often overlook those who care for us the most Bob Marley once said the greatness of a man is not in the amount of wealth he acquires but in his integrity and ability to positively affect those around him is that you I am blessed to have family ties that inspire me to inspire others who inspires you who are you inspiring today rayon is a proud

member of parliament yeah from bambi to classy with confidence in motion I have taken over the family business but every once in a while dad still sticks his head in and acts like he's in charge so I did what any son would have done I fired him ladies and gentlemen it took tragedy for me to realize how great my father was don't let happen to you we know there are inspirational forces in our lives gravitate to them and never taken for granted my mother once said being great is it always about you it's about how you inspire others to find their greatness she couldn't be

more right so I'm asking all of you who inspires you but more importantly who are you inspiring

Transcript generated from the recording and lightly cleaned. Some names and wording may differ from the spoken speech.