American doctor Ben Carson (born 1951) overcame poverty, racism, and a violent temper to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon. Later in life, Dr. Carson became a presidential candidate and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Donald Trump.

After Carson brought home a report card of failing grades, his mother quickly limited her sons' television viewing and required them to read two books a week. The boys then had to give written reports to their mother on what they read. While other children were outside playing, Sonya Carson forced her boys to stay inside and read, an act for which her friends criticized her, saying that her sons would grow up to hate her. Ben later realized that because of his mother's own limited education, she often could not read the reports, and was moved by her efforts to motivate them to a better life.