Dr. Phelue Anderson was born in August Town, Shenton, outside of Bog Walk, St Catherine, Jamaica, to a family of three children being raised by a single mother in home without electricity where food was often in short supply. He recognized early on that education was his way out of poverty and focused his energy on getting as much schooling as he could. Along the way he took help from willing mentors and ignored those who said he couldn’t make it. From a childhood marked by hardship and many reversals, Dr. Anderson kept to his educational path and ultimately received a PhD in Poultry Science from Texas A&M University, College Station, a Master of Science in Animal Science, and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Prairie View A&M University. He now works as a molecular microbiologist at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s Poultry Center, where he trains and supervises lab technicians in finding food-borne pathogens in poultry. He remains convinced that education is the only way out of poverty, and he willing tells his story of selling bottles and paper bags in the market to sustain himself and his family through his early efforts to receive schooling. He wants to encourage young people to excel in school, seeing education as a way to a better life. Dr. Anderson took advantage of every opportunity to advance his education, regardless of the logistical or financial obstacles confronting him, and there were many. However, his tenacity in moving toward his goal ultimately led to success in his chosen field. He is an inspiring example for others who struggle to overcome troubling challenges in their own lives.