Curtis Aikens and the American Dream

  • Pg. 306

    Teacher said he is a nice boy but he was a reading problem,and need to repeat 3 grade.
  • Pg.306

    Curtis is from Conyers, Georgia (roral area)
  • Pg. 309

    He moved to California.
  • Pg. 310

    Got a job at a grocery store but he got in trouble with his boss because he can't read.
  • Pg. 311

    Curtis did not know he had to lower his prices and he last customers and his business fell.
  • Pg. 314

    Published his first cookbook
  • Pg. 307

    Curtis decided to lie about not being able to read not being able to read or write so people would not call him "dumb" or "stupid"
  • Pg.308

    Start football player student council member and wan a cooking competition.
  • Pg.306

    He was in third grade, he had a teacher conference.
  • Pg. 310

    He wanted to open his own produce company (fruit/vegetable)
  • Pg.312

    Curtis saw a PSA for a program that helps people read with no Judgemental
  • Pg. 309

    Halfway through sophmore year (1.5 years) he drapped out of college
  • Pg.307

    He doesn't blame the school for not helping him but he is learning the skills to life and not be questioned.
  • Pg.307

    "If you sound smart, people will think you are smart" He watched TV/videos to get vocabulary to keep "up the scam"
  • Pg. 308

    Heavy electives and light on academics for his schedule in high school.
  • Pg. 309

    He got a schlarshio for collage. His whole family was happy. He was scared because he had to lie for 4 more years.
  • Pg. 311

    He would give blank cheek to companies because he could not read the invoices
  • Pg.313

    He took literacy claves with Steve and Ginny.
    He felt happy to be honest about his problem.
  • Pg.312

    Curtis was traveling and could not read road sing or airport signs.
  • Pg. 313

    he does really well whit the literacy program and he can now read a book a week.
  • Pg. 313

    he does really well whit the literacy program and he can now read a book a week.
  • Pg. 313

    he does really well whit the literacy program and he can now read a book a week.
  • Pg.314

    He goes back to Georgia- starts another produce company and eventually becomes a food columnist.
  • Pg.314

    He decided to become a celebrity and use his platform to reach out to the illiterate community.
  • Pg.314

    He called on old friend and canfessed his past and the friend called news shows to share his story.
  • Pg. 315

    Curtis messed up on tureading a teleprompter and cried on national TV.
  • Pg. 315

    People called the to show looking for help with reading because of Curtis.