Common reflects on growing up on Chicago's South Side and how having a dream as his North Star kept him grounded. He argues that exposing young people to opportunities to discover their own dreams gives them purpose, self-worth, and direction.
I believe that one of the most valuable things we can do to help young people is expose them to opportunities, expose them to things that will help them find their dreams. I say that because growing up on the south side of Chicago, I seen a lot of beautiful things. And I saw some very tough things. And it was because I had a dream that was my baseline, my North Star, my guiding light. To me, having value and feeling like I had purpose and feeling like I was worth something and can be something in the world. And it kept me straight. I mean, you know, it kept me from going too far.
