I suppose it’s best I tell the story before anyone else does, but let me introduce myself. My name is Adolphus Fletcher III, I’m a designer and entrepreneur from Wilmington, Delaware. Although my artistic journey started very young around 7 I began being formally trained in the graphic arts at Delcastle Technical High School which was quite the experience as I was able to meet so many talented peers and inspirational mentors that pushed me to elevate in all aspects. So much I often participated in extracurriculars that helped mold me into the man I am today. Some of which include Art Club, Student Government, College Prep, and Various Sports. In the midst of this, I would often compete for titles that highlighted my artistic ability and communication skills. This took me to SkillsUSA National Competition in Kentucky in 2017 as well as Boys State 2017

Much of my exploration challenged me to identify what was important to me as I began preparing for the next chapters of life. And let me tell you I felt like I was going through a midlife crisis my senior year. Between deciding what schools I’d apply to and how the heck I’d raise my grade enough to get in. Traditionally at vo tech schools, you would do a coop at a business to gain work experience and start your career journey. But unbeknownst to me I’d be searching for a long time.
This was likely because I often hung my hat higher than I could reach. Applying for professional Jobs I felt I could grow and perform in, but in reality, were outside my level at the time.

As ambitious as I was, I never got the opportunity to have a Job in high school so Instead, I sold candy and my graphic design services to fellow students. This is where I learned a great deal about rejection and how to overcome feelings of inadequacy among my peers. I was able to learn the power of perseverance and that life is really just a game of numbers. How many nos before a yes and how many tangents a circle can have (for those that know the leaps and bounds I made in my Math class from flunky to finesser) Somewhere in the middle I unlocked a new level of mental toughness. I studied and worked at my goals tirelessly, joining programs that I felt would level up my status and propel me forward toward my goals. One of which being Boys State. A local and later national level student government conference for young men looking to step into politics and civil service. There on county day, I won the title of City Council President and eventually competed for the spot of Governor in Dover. There I learned firsthand the challenges of change-making in top-level society and how it affects people at all levels. As we were tasked with drafting bills that would impact our city’s policy and improve the life of its citizens with the potential to be seen by the actual Governor.

Another program that I participated in that assisted in my personal and educational growth would be Rising Scholars. This program was designed for college readiness and would help me raise my SAT scores. There I met some amazing mentors that helped expand my worldview by creating pathways to study abroad and later attain employment opportunities that helped nurture my skills even further. Through them, I was able to travel to Paris, Belgium, and the Netherlands to meet students from Germany there to better their education and have diverse experiences. I still wonder if some of my cohorts may have been spies and children of diplomats from foreign governments sent to learn American ways but I digress. This experience set me on a course of self-discovery and I’m thankful to have met some great friends along the way that helped me realize what life was all about. But I’ll save those stories for my next.