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I Got There: How I Overcame Racism, Poverty, and Abuse to Achieve the American Dream
"I'm not a drug dealer.
I'm not a rapper.
I'm not an athlete.
But I am very successful."
That's not how you're supposed to open a speech if you're a successful businessman. Especially if you're a successful minority businessman in America.
But I'm no ordinary businessman, this was no ordinary speech, and I've had no ordinary life.
JT McCormick shouldn't have succeeded.
He was born the mixed-race son of a negligent, drug-dealing pimp father and a struggling, single mother. He was raised in the slums of Dayton, Ohio, suffered incredible abuse and racism, and had multiple stints in the juvenile justice system. He barely graduated high school and has no college degree.
But succeed he did.
Starting by scrubbing toilets, JT hustled and worked his way into better opportunities, eventually finding incredible success in the mortgage industry. He was on top of the world.
And then it all fell apart. He lost his job, and his money.
But instead of stopping him, this setback became the springboard for him to reach even bigger heights--eventually growing and becoming President of a multimillion-dollar software company, and then CEO of a multimillion-dollar book-publishing start-up.
Gripping, heartbreaking, enlightening, and ultimately uplifting, I Got There proves that no obstacle is too difficult to conquer--and that the game can be won by anyone, from anywhere.
I'm not a rapper.
I'm not an athlete.
But I am very successful."
That's not how you're supposed to open a speech if you're a successful businessman. Especially if you're a successful minority businessman in America.
But I'm no ordinary businessman, this was no ordinary speech, and I've had no ordinary life.
JT McCormick shouldn't have succeeded.
He was born the mixed-race son of a negligent, drug-dealing pimp father and a struggling, single mother. He was raised in the slums of Dayton, Ohio, suffered incredible abuse and racism, and had multiple stints in the juvenile justice system. He barely graduated high school and has no college degree.
But succeed he did.
Starting by scrubbing toilets, JT hustled and worked his way into better opportunities, eventually finding incredible success in the mortgage industry. He was on top of the world.
And then it all fell apart. He lost his job, and his money.
But instead of stopping him, this setback became the springboard for him to reach even bigger heights--eventually growing and becoming President of a multimillion-dollar software company, and then CEO of a multimillion-dollar book-publishing start-up.
Gripping, heartbreaking, enlightening, and ultimately uplifting, I Got There proves that no obstacle is too difficult to conquer--and that the game can be won by anyone, from anywhere.
284 pages, Hardcover
Published January 20, 2017
16 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 4, 2019
I just heard JT McCormick speak on Feb 1st. This biography is essentially his speech. The book is very good. Written in a very conversational, relatable style. While its not the greatest book I every read, JT’s life story is VERY POWERFUL. While not meant to be political in any way, it sure is a recent refutation of how someone who grew up poor and in trouble is able to make a promise to his mom and himself that he will do and be better. His family needed public assistance to survive, but he believes the reliance on that system robs people of their freedom and self-worth. And it breeds all kinds of other problems in communities with high public assistance rates where jobs are readily available. And he talks about starting at the bottom. So it stands to reason he would go to Juvenile Detention Centers and speak to young men who are in the same place he was just a few decades ago.
If you get a chance for free or to PAY to hear JT’s story... even if you’ve read this book... you need to go. He does not go into graphic detail but there are enough shocking things that he experienced as a young child and as an adolescent that you can see what many young men and women never escape to something better and are on the fast track to prison.
I’m so thankful to God that he helped JT go thru so many Job-like tragedies so he could be the married, father of four, and successful business man he is today. I’m appalled at what he went thru and much, much more thankful I didn’t have to endure any of what he did. I’m not half the man he is so I doubt I’d be able to overcome and write a book like this. I’d like to think I could, but when you read this book... and I recommend you do... you will be thinking to yourself, “could I have gone thru all this and overcome?” Truly an inspiring story and looking forward to having my kids read it (although there are some very graphic scenes in the book which will hopefully turn their stomachs like it did mine).
If you get a chance for free or to PAY to hear JT’s story... even if you’ve read this book... you need to go. He does not go into graphic detail but there are enough shocking things that he experienced as a young child and as an adolescent that you can see what many young men and women never escape to something better and are on the fast track to prison.
I’m so thankful to God that he helped JT go thru so many Job-like tragedies so he could be the married, father of four, and successful business man he is today. I’m appalled at what he went thru and much, much more thankful I didn’t have to endure any of what he did. I’m not half the man he is so I doubt I’d be able to overcome and write a book like this. I’d like to think I could, but when you read this book... and I recommend you do... you will be thinking to yourself, “could I have gone thru all this and overcome?” Truly an inspiring story and looking forward to having my kids read it (although there are some very graphic scenes in the book which will hopefully turn their stomachs like it did mine).
May 27, 2024
I listened to this book on audio. A friend had highly recommended. I cannot imagine the childhood this man experienced. And to think there are so many more out there just like him.
He did achieve amazing success but something felt off to me throughout the book. There was so much “I” in the book. Credit given to people he had learned from but he seemed to take all the credit for his success himself. I decided to look up the company where he was CEO at the time of the book. Last year he resigned, leaving staff and freelancers in a bad way. Yes, he accepted responsibility for letting them down but that doesn’t pay their rent. It seems as though there are wounds from his trauma that are still affecting him today. He never seems to have a group of people around him that he works WITH. They are always working FOR him. He says part of the reason he failed as CEO is that his mother died and he lost focus. Yes, that is to be expected. A good CEO would have had people around him to ate in and cover while he grieved. But his lack of trust of others, not surprising given his background, doesn’t seem to have allowed him to do this.
I hope he takes this time to work in healing.
He did achieve amazing success but something felt off to me throughout the book. There was so much “I” in the book. Credit given to people he had learned from but he seemed to take all the credit for his success himself. I decided to look up the company where he was CEO at the time of the book. Last year he resigned, leaving staff and freelancers in a bad way. Yes, he accepted responsibility for letting them down but that doesn’t pay their rent. It seems as though there are wounds from his trauma that are still affecting him today. He never seems to have a group of people around him that he works WITH. They are always working FOR him. He says part of the reason he failed as CEO is that his mother died and he lost focus. Yes, that is to be expected. A good CEO would have had people around him to ate in and cover while he grieved. But his lack of trust of others, not surprising given his background, doesn’t seem to have allowed him to do this.
I hope he takes this time to work in healing.
September 29, 2019
I got to hear this author speak, which was excellent. I was happy to receive a copy of his book and learn more about his story. That being said, it did become a little repetitive. I appreciate his mission and what he’s doing for underprivileged kids, but it didn’t make for the most entertaining read. Also the format was a bit strange, with continuous line breaks/spacing throughout the text. Not sure if he was trying to make the book appear bigger than it really was?
A few more questions I had: in the dedication, he thanks his mother, but as I read through it I realized it was a whole section of “Dear Mama” by Tupac. No credit was given for using Tupac’s material. Is this legal? Don’t you need to cite your source? Is Tupac’s material public domain? I can’t believe that.
Just one more thing: on the book jacket, the author is said to live with his wife and 4 children. In the dedication, he thanks his wife and 5 children, then names them all. At the talk I attended, he was also said to have 4 children.
So, glad I read it but also happy it was a quick read.
A few more questions I had: in the dedication, he thanks his mother, but as I read through it I realized it was a whole section of “Dear Mama” by Tupac. No credit was given for using Tupac’s material. Is this legal? Don’t you need to cite your source? Is Tupac’s material public domain? I can’t believe that.
Just one more thing: on the book jacket, the author is said to live with his wife and 4 children. In the dedication, he thanks his wife and 5 children, then names them all. At the talk I attended, he was also said to have 4 children.
So, glad I read it but also happy it was a quick read.
February 22, 2023
Thank you
First, thank you for writing this and thank you for sharing it with the world.
I often think I have a growth mindset, but I am inspired after reading JeVon's story to check my mindset more often.
This is a book I will share with others because there is value to anyone reading. Value surrounding (although not limited to):
Personal productivity
How to show up in the world (and in business)
Personal reflection
Reframing struggle
Spoiler alert, there is no roadmap on HOW to change your mindset, but the example of the benefit of doing so is spelled out chapter after chapter.
There were parts of the book I would have liked JeVon to go deeper, but the book was deep so I don't want my curiosity to detract from the rating.
My wish is that people read this book for the lessons on how to be, not just the lessons on how to get out.
First, thank you for writing this and thank you for sharing it with the world.
I often think I have a growth mindset, but I am inspired after reading JeVon's story to check my mindset more often.
This is a book I will share with others because there is value to anyone reading. Value surrounding (although not limited to):
Personal productivity
How to show up in the world (and in business)
Personal reflection
Reframing struggle
Spoiler alert, there is no roadmap on HOW to change your mindset, but the example of the benefit of doing so is spelled out chapter after chapter.
There were parts of the book I would have liked JeVon to go deeper, but the book was deep so I don't want my curiosity to detract from the rating.
My wish is that people read this book for the lessons on how to be, not just the lessons on how to get out.
March 7, 2025
Inspiring story of a kid from a poor, broken home that overcomes all obstacles to “make it” in American society. The self-reliance that is shown and preached in this book is refreshing. McCormick never sees himself as a victim, but views each negative encounter as a learning opportunity. Ultimately, McCormick passes on his wisdom to other young people from similar circumstances. Highly recommended.
October 20, 2018
Real life lessons
This book should be listed on books to read for students and required reading for young men. The real life stories shared are touching and give a glimpse into a world many may not know and a light at the end of a turbulent tunnel for those in the know.
Great read. Thank you for sharing.
This book should be listed on books to read for students and required reading for young men. The real life stories shared are touching and give a glimpse into a world many may not know and a light at the end of a turbulent tunnel for those in the know.
Great read. Thank you for sharing.
December 29, 2019
Touching, powerful, enlightening
I loved the frankness, the straightforward this is how it was message. His message of strength born out of the struggles of his past. A ray of hope to others that life is hard, but we all have the power to choose the path we take. To make it great.
I loved the frankness, the straightforward this is how it was message. His message of strength born out of the struggles of his past. A ray of hope to others that life is hard, but we all have the power to choose the path we take. To make it great.
August 9, 2017
Wow! This is a great book; I'm so glad I decided to splurge buying a new book after listening to the author speaking on StartEdUp podcast.
My next step is to get this book in the hands of as many of my students as I can.
My next step is to get this book in the hands of as many of my students as I can.
January 29, 2018
Great book about the incredible story of someone who overcame (as the title suggests) racism, poverty, and abuse, to become a successful businessman in his own right. I definitely recommend to anyone who likes these types of stories.
September 15, 2021
Awesome Story of Motivation
This book is well written. I definitely felt like I was there with th author. I appreciated the return to fill in the gaps in his experience. This book is educational and inspirational! I definitely recommend this book!
This book is well written. I definitely felt like I was there with th author. I appreciated the return to fill in the gaps in his experience. This book is educational and inspirational! I definitely recommend this book!
November 22, 2020
Powerful story that can give hope to individuals who come from some of the most despairing and seemingly hopeless conditions.
December 19, 2020
Great read!
I was so impressed with how JT overcame all of his obstacles to become the man he is today. His family is lucky to have him .
I was so impressed with how JT overcame all of his obstacles to become the man he is today. His family is lucky to have him .
December 25, 2020
This book is worth reading. It is an easy read with a great purpose. I looked forward to reading more every day. It reads like a conversation with a friend.
November 25, 2022
3.5 stars. There are many good messages here and JT's story is interesting. However, the writing was odd - sometimes it felt so forced and it was often repetitive.
March 19, 2018
He didn't quit!
Before I even opened this book, a lump had already formed in my throat for the little boy he had been. This story was both heart wrenching AND truimph. READ IT! NOW!
Before I even opened this book, a lump had already formed in my throat for the little boy he had been. This story was both heart wrenching AND truimph. READ IT! NOW!
August 21, 2017
JT McCormick's story is incredible. He proves the value of hard work, self belief, and a desire to achieve one's dreams. An absolute must read. You'll devour this book and leave it feeling very inspired.
January 25, 2021
When it comes to life stories, this one is hard to top.
JT (now Jevon) has overcome more in each chapter of his book than some people have in entire lifetimes.
Written with stark prose that wastes absolutely no words, he fills the pages with brutal honesty and tremendous lessons he learned along the way.
My favorite lesson: Your work ethic matters more than your title. JT started out cleaning toilets, but he made damn sure that his toilets were the cleanest in the area. Now look at him.
I had the opportunity to hear him talk when the book first came out and yes, he is as humble and inspirational in real life as he is on paper.
One of my all-time favorite memoirs.
JT (now Jevon) has overcome more in each chapter of his book than some people have in entire lifetimes.
Written with stark prose that wastes absolutely no words, he fills the pages with brutal honesty and tremendous lessons he learned along the way.
My favorite lesson: Your work ethic matters more than your title. JT started out cleaning toilets, but he made damn sure that his toilets were the cleanest in the area. Now look at him.
I had the opportunity to hear him talk when the book first came out and yes, he is as humble and inspirational in real life as he is on paper.
One of my all-time favorite memoirs.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews