Not so long ago, Jerame wasn't my baby, he was his mom's baby.

He wasn't just any baby either. His parents were both very young and rebellious teens more into partying than parenting. He spent large swaths of time pawned off on various relatives, one with a house so filthy the roaches ruled. Drug use, violence and irresponsibility were the values espoused.

Yet Jerame has matured into a very different sort of person than his upbringing would have foretold. He put himself through college; he took responsibility for raising his daughter without any support from her mother; he's become an effective local advocate for LGBT rights and a resource on technology for local non-profits. In short, a gentleman and a scholar.

Happy Birthday, baby. I'm proud of the man you've become and look forward to watching you continue to mature with grace and style.