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The Beginning
I was born on November 21, 2001, at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, VA. At the time of my birth, my parents had not yet decided on a name. My father was somewhat indifferent, while my mother insisted on naming me "Isaac". She resonated with the name's biblical meaning. However, my extended family members reminded my parents that November 21st of that year was Saint Michael's Day in the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Calendar. So, my parents decided to name me Michael Thomas Solomon. -
Starting School
In August of 2005, I started my first day of Pre-K at Forcey Christian School in Silver Spring, MD. This was two years after we moved to Maryland when my younger sister was born. My first few years at the school had a profound impact on my development as a person, as well as the solidification of my faith. -
My Hero
On January 20, 2009, Barack H. Obama was inaugurated President of the United States of America. As a 7-year old black boy - who had seen almost every position of leadership known to children my age filled by white men who looked nothing like myself or my family - it was a day that had a lasting impact on how I viewed myself. The black man in that White House was an inspiration to little black boys and girls like me all over the country, and his presidency continues to inspire me today. -
Promotion
June 15, 2016 was the day of my promotion from middle school to high school. My last day of the eleven years I spent at Forcey Christian School. That day was difficult me, as I had to let go of lifelong friendships with people who I saw as family. -
The Day I Found My Voice
On March 14, 2018 I led a student-organized demonstration on Capitol Hill, where over 10,000 students from 45 schools in the DMV area walked out of classes to protest gun violence. I made a speech that day that garnered national media attention, and led to my involvement in the March For Our Lives movement, which I am still a part of to this day.
