“From Struggles to Success: JAY-Z Reflects on His Mother’s Strength and Sacrifice”
“I didn’t have an easy childhood. Life threw some real challenges our way when my father left us when I was just 11 years old. It wasn’t just me—it was my mom and three siblings trying to make it work in Brooklyn, New York. My mother, Gloria, was the glue that held us together. She worked tirelessly as a clerk at an investment firm to ensure there was food on the table and bills were paid. There were even times when she took on extra part-time jobs, like being a security guard, just to keep us afloat. Her strength and sacrifice taught me resilience and perseverance.
When I finally made it in the music industry and started finding success as an entrepreneur, one of the first things I did was retire my mom. She had spent years working herself to the bone for us, and I wanted to give her the chance to relax and enjoy life. But my mom, being the determined and driven woman she is, wasn’t ready to settle into a quiet life. After a little time off, she decided she wanted to be active again and give back in a meaningful way.
In 2003, my mom stepped into a leadership role as the president of the Shawn Carter Foundation. Through the foundation, she’s been helping young people from underprivileged backgrounds access opportunities in education and personal development. It’s amazing to see her channel that same dedication she had for raising us into creating change for others. My mom’s story is one of strength, love, and resilience, and it’s a constant reminder to me of what it means to give your all for the people you love. She inspires me every day, and I owe so much of my success to the values she instilled in me growing up.” – JAY-Z reflecting on his mother’s unwavering dedication to their family and her community.
