Above It All

Growing up in one of the poorest areas of Chicago in the early 90s was extremely difficult. Gangs were constantly fighting over territory, causing violence and chaos. Drug users and dealers were a common sight on every street corner. Children growing up in this environment witnessed the turmoil and feared what their future held. Denise, the eldest of four siblings, was raised by a single mother. Despite facing numerous challenges such as eviction threats, mounting bills, and her mother’s job loss, she persevered and pursued her college education, now entering her junior year. However, focusing on her studies became increasingly tough with the constant turmoil at home. Denise’s life took a turn when she met Terry, whom she believed to be her prince charming, only to have her plans disrupted by his true nature. Later, she encountered Malcolm amidst her struggles. Despite his outward appearance of having it all under control, looks can sometimes be deceiving. The question remains: Will Denise manage to overcome the obstacles of poverty and adversity, or will she succumb to becoming another statistic? Will she emerge stronger from these challenges and rise above it all?