Born John Roger Stephens on December 28, 1978, to Phyllis, a seamstress, and Ronald, a factory worker, John showed his potential and ambition early on.

In 1994, he was named the local winner of the McDonald’s Black History Makers of Tomorrow essay competition, facilitated by the famous fast-food chain. Written when he was just fifteen years old and published in a local paper, the essay stunningly predicted the life John would live.