When I attended Jefferson Elementary School in Charlottesville in 1960, I was selected to recite the poem "The Path" by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, the noted black poet. That poem captured the story of my life. I had no idea when I first learned it by memory and recited it many times before the class that it would later have such a direct and dramatic application to my life. I recited the words not knowing their true meaning back then, but I know what they mean now, and who would have imagined how appropriate they would be. It is indeed passing strange how a poem learned and recited from memory by innocence can come to be reflective of the life of the declarant many years later. I cleaved "a path of my own," day after day, from Saturday to Saturday. Solving problems, "thrusting the looming rocks aside" in the lives of my clients and lending a helping hand where I could.

ABOUT

Otis L. Lee, Jr., a remarkable African-American individual, defied the barriers imposed by segregation and Jim Crow laws to achieve remarkable personal and professional accomplishments. Mr. Lee made significant contributions as a co-author in a 1980 project by the Howard University School of Business, which involved revising and editing the U.S. Department of Commerce manual titled "Local Economic Development Corporation, Legal and Financial Guidelines."A retired attorney, he has now transitioned into an author who uses his powerful insights and experiences to inspire others. Through his writings, captivating video shorts, and engaging speaking engagements, Otis Lee, Jr. enlightens audiences with his unique perspective on resilience and triumph over adversity.

Lee’s 2013 debut memoir, "From South Boston to Cambridge: the Making of One Philadelphia Lawyer", intricately weaves together a captivating narrative that chronicles his relentless pursuit of success, overcoming one obstacle after another. In this audio, listeners traverse alongside Lee, sharing in his profound emotions and experiences.