When he shared this experience with his colleagues, they did not believe it until he told them he was the person who was arrested. Bruce let them know that they leave Microsoft’s office after closing a hundred-million-dollar deal to return to their privileged lives, and he leaves as a Black man in America. This account inspired many of his colleagues at Microsoft to participate in diversity and inclusion efforts to provide equal access to resources for all.

Another time, when he was 10 years old, at the Utica Avenue subway station going to his grandmother’s house, a White man pointed him out, saying, “That’s him.” He ignored it until it was clear he was being pursued by the police. Bruce ran onto the train tracks, over the third rail to the next station, Ralph Avenue, where the police were waiting for him. They took him to the 77th Precinct, and for two hours threatened that he would not see his mother unless he admitted to the robbery. Though he was afraid and wanted to see his mother, he did not capitulate because he did not do anything wrong. When his mother and uncle arrived, he was allowed to go home. 

Bruce included this story to let people know that we all have stereotypes and prejudices. If you see a kid running, you assume he did something wrong. Running is not a sign of guilt. He was a 10-year-old child who was afraid of the police, who, based upon his experience as a young Black boy, were not very friendly to Black people. He just wanted to go home. Rushing to judgment is never the answer.

Growing up with fewer means did not mean less love and support. His mother, grandmother and Aunt Viola were his encouraging team. On Aunt Viola’s counsel, Bruce attended an arts program, where he excelled in theater. But he did not have contact with any successful Black people in that arena, so he did not choose that path. College was the path he chose, although his teachers did not believe he was college material. He attended Hofstra University via an enrichment program for students who were academically and financially disadvantaged. 

After two weeks of the accelerated summer program, though, he was ready to quit. His mother tried to dissuade him, but knowing he was in pain, she agreed to him returning home. It was his conversation with Aunt Viola that changed his mind. She reminded him that the people in his family picked cotton, could not look White people in the face, and had to address them as “Yes, ma’am” and “No, ma’am.” Indeed, he was the only person in the family to go to college, so he was not going home. 

After that conversation, Bruce was more afraid to go home than to continue working hard to complete the summer program. He decided to employ a quote from Frederick Douglass, who said, “if there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Bruce has applied that quote to every part of his life. He developed the attitude that he belonged wherever he found himself. Bruce realized that he was not incapable of achieving his goals; he was simply not prepared due to lack of resources, but he vowed to always outwork his peers.

Bruce had important people in his life at pivotal times to propel him forward. He believes you do not make it alone. Mentorship is important, but sponsorship is more important. After graduating college, he received a lucrative offer from Arthur Andersen, a major accounting firm, but he declined because he really wanted to go to law school, and a recruiter from Arthur Andersen encouraged him to continue in his quest for a law degree.

With lots of hard work and encouragement, Bruce was accepted into Georgetown Law School. One of his summer experiences in Big Law was daunting, not because of the work, but because he was the first and only Black attorney working at a major law firm. During a luncheon, a partner tried to embarrass him, intimating that he knew about living in the ghetto. 

Like a consummate gentleman, Bruce spoke truth to power, at the risk of not being invited to join the firm after graduating from law school. However, Bruce’s work product spoke for itself, and he was offered a full-time position at the firm upon graduation.

Subsequently, Bruce decided to take a major pay cut, moved back to the Amsterdam Houses and started working for an entertainment firm. His goal was to become counsel to major hip hop artists. Sacrificing money and living with his mother, he worked hard to learn about representing entertainers and ultimately founded the most successful African American entertainment law firm in New York. He and his partners, including First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George, secured a contract with Pete Rock, which led to many other artists, including Busta Rhymes, M.C. Lyte, and LL Cool J, to name a few.

After many years of representing hip hop artists, Bruce was afforded the opportunity to work at Microsoft. During his time at Microsoft, Bruce helped to diversify Microsoft and has been able to build teams with representation from different ethnic groups. These teams are instrumental in building Microsoft into a multimillion-dollar corporation.

Bruce’s ultimate message to his readers is to inspire youth, both urban and rural: You can achieve greatness and reach your potential, to educate those in privileged spaces, bringing them in close proximity to what others are experiencing so they will lend a helping hand, and to create an environment of equal access to resources for all.