Growing up in America is definitely a difficult task but growing up as a first-generation Nigerian kid was even harder. Especially with two focused immigrant parents. As a child, there were so many questions running through my mind about my identity. Growing up I never understood why my parents gave me a name like AdeTunji. I didn't understand why I always got punished for the things my siblings would do. I never understood why we always had to go to church. Why did we always need to pray? Why was college so important? Why did they never let me forget I was Nigerian? Why didn't they give me the clothes/shoes that I wanted?

As a child, I hated my name. Most people don't know but my government name is Dennis AdeTunji Akinduro. I hated each name growing up. Growing up in Prince George's County, Maryland, being an African kid was one of the most challenging times in my life because I was ridiculed so much. Ironically, the majority of the teasing came from other African-American kids. But I guess it didn't help that I looked like Sams from Lean On Me mixed with Steel from Juice either.  Meanwhile, my circle of friends all looked like the Fresh Prince or Dwayne Wayne from A Different World.  As an adult, I had to start understanding that my parents were trying to provide protection for me before I was even born. My father, a graduate of Prairie View A&M University said he experienced a high level of discrimination by professors because of his Nigerian name. My father vowed that he would give his children European first names so they will never be discriminated against because of their Nigerian heritage. 

I was raised by parents that named me AdeTunji, which means "The King/Crown has risen". As a child I didn't understand that bearing a name like mine would come along with certain responsibilities. I was born into leadership being the eldest of four siblings. My father always made sure I would be a good example to my siblings. Even when people would make fun of my name, I remember my mother always telling me, "Never forget you come from kings and queens. Never forget what your name means." As an adult, I try to remind myself of that in everything that I do. 

Being raised in a Christian household we went to church every Sunday. My parents believed in the power of prayer. We prayed as a family all the time. I didn't understand then but I'm thankful that the tool of prayer was introduced to me as a child because it has been the anchor of my life as an adult. I've seen prayer heal my family spiritually, physically, and financially. Watching my parents pray together is definitely a tradition that I want to continue with my own family. 

Education was the biggest priority for my parents. They both migrated from Nigeria with the dreams of an American college experience. Even when my high school counselor told me I wasn't smart enough to go to a four-year institution, my mother said, "Never forget you come from Kings and Queens, don't listen to him." I thank God for her because that counselor's comments could have taken my life into a totally different direction. In Spring of 2010, I graduated with a bachelor's degree from Coppin State University in Baltimore. I honestly didn't do it for myself, I did it for my parents. I wanted to show them that everything that they did for me was never in vain. 

Growing up in PG County, you always had to be fly. My parent's definition of fly was that you had clothes on your back and shoes on your feet. I'm the oldest so you can imagine growing up the type outfits they would have me in. My parents didn't believe in paying $150 for a pair of shoes. So if I wanted the nice things I had to work for it. I would wash cars, mow lawns, rake leaves, sell candy and shovel snow. I would do just about anything to make money for myself. As an adult I see how my parents were instilling a strong work ethic within me. Never beg, if I wanted something I had to be willing to work for it. Instilling the mindset of hard work has pushed me through tough times during my journey in Los Angeles. 

In 2014, I moved to California and my parents weren't too fond of my decision. My mother told me, "You're not allowed to come back home until you make it!" My father insisted that I waited before moving but I knew I had to leave. I was moving clear across the country to a place where I knew only three people. No family. Just two friends and one acquaintance. "If there's no risk, there's no room for reward." is one of my father's famous phrases. I watched my father work three jobs tirelessly while he was studying to be a CPA. He took the exam and missed by 2 points. He later saved his money and quit all his jobs to focus on passing the exam the second time around. My father told me my mother looked at him like he was crazy. But his mindset was that he wanted more for his family. He took a leap of faith and it worked out. It's ironic that I had to do the same for myself and my future family that's not here yet.

It took me leaving the east coast for my relationship with my parents to evolve. I've learned so much about my parents. I've seen the idea of marriage through another lens because of watching my parents. I was three years old when they got married at Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on Howard University's campus. They've been married 26-years strong. I've seen the tools that my parents gave me as a child help advance me as a man. Even with the things I may have lacked in growing up, I'm blessed to come from two Nigerian parents that love me and raised me to trust God, pray and work hard for everything. I'm blessed that my parents never let me forget my heritage. I'm thankful that my parents taught me to show love to everyone. More and more as I pay attention to the world around me, I'm very fortunate to have been raised with both parents. As they get older I focus more and more on the lessons that they taught me while growing up. Nigerian parents aren't as emotional as others parents but I pray that I continue to make them proud. All the tools they have given me will be the foundational knowledge that I use to help evolve and build my own family.

Brought to you by Fences, in theaters nationwide Dec. 25th.