In a heartfelt discussion on the Evolve podcast, Hakim, a young man who said he had a black grandfather from Ghana, shared his journey of discipline, self-discovery, and the deep impact of his cultural roots on his personal growth.
He reflected on how frustration with the strict discipline in his early life eventually transformed into gratitude, shaping him into the person he is today.
“Discipline was so ingrained in my life, and while it frustrated me back then, I’m now eternally grateful for those lessons,” Hakim said. “Unfortunately, not everyone gets the privilege of those foundational teachings.”
Hakim credited his connection to West African culture as a cornerstone of his character. “It’s not about telling Ghanaians, ‘I’m one of you,’ but rather appreciating them and acknowledging what they’ve done for me,” he explained.
He highlighted how the values of his heritage, passed down through generations, became a guiding force in his life.
Hakim also shared an inspiring story about his father, who grew up in a white working-class background where attending university was almost unheard of. “My dad was the first in his family to go to university.
“Back then, the university was seen as something for the privileged, not for someone from a council estate. But my grandfather, an educated African man, instilled in my dad a deep belief in education and self-worth,” he said.
He revealed that his father defied societal expectations, eventually earning a spot at a prestigious Russell Group university. “
My dad gives full credit to his father for teaching him that your circumstances don’t have to dictate your destiny. He believed in progression, in breaking out of what’s around you, while still being proud of where you come from.”
