When Marrea Walker-Smith was in 10th grade, her history teacher told her she would never amount to anything because she lived in a Chester Housing Authority property.

Walker-Smith, however, has since proved that teacher wrong, writes Erin McCarthy for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Fortunately, she listened to her mother, who said that where you live does not define who you become.

Walker-Smith, now 46 and living near Downingtown, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. She then served for 17 years in Chester city government, led several youth leadership programs, and recently started a new job training program for residents of the development she lived in for 18 years.

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Her company, CEO Academy, has started a Resident Training Academy, which will consist of four months of job training and personal development for Chester Housing Authority residents. Some 2,500 residents can sign up for online and onsite job certification courses in healthcare and technology, listen to motivational speakers, and get one-one-one coaching.

The program is being conducted inside the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Chester.

Read more about Marrea Walker-Smith and CEO Academy in The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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