David Anthony Shepperson

I grew up in Washington, DC area in the early 80's. Where life for many low income families were impacted by the crack cocaine episode. My parents were amongst those affected by drugs that swept through the District of Columbia at that time. I lost of my mother to drugs at the age of 5 years old. Than soon after lost my entire family after being place in Child & Family Services.

As a child being placed in the care of Child & Family Services in the District of Columbia. I thought my life was going to become better. But, that wasn't the case & I endured some of the worst abuse at the hands of those who were there to care for me. For many years I were raped by male staff members and even forced to do things with a female staff member while living at The Boys & Girls Club Group Home. We used to call the basement 1201 Harvard St N.W. the Hell Room. In that place they used to be used beat us with wooden paddles, sticks, belts, extension cordss for any everything. We had to hold telephone books, cans while standing up naked for hours. We were forced to perform sexual acts on one particular staff member while some of us were raped by her partner at time. This abused went on for several years until I founded the courage to runaway.

Sadly enough once I was caught the government simply placed me into another group home. But this time they labeled me as having behavior problems. This was their solutions to handling the problems. It was more easier to label us than to really understand what we want. Having a voice back than was joke. As I always heard time and time again. "We are here for your best interest." But there only intentions were to ship me off to residential in Melbourne, Fla. At Devereux Therapeutic Institute this was District of Columbia Child & Family Services solution of dealing with lower class kids at that time. Here were locked in a room like we were prisoners. If they felt that we were getting out of control. They had an extraction team with full Riot gear. Myself and other youth there were subject to that sort of abuse. Once they tackle us here comes the needle of Prozac or Hound Dog. Off to the restraint chair or restraint blanket. I was placed in theses sort of rooms many times. I was released from Devereux at the age of 18 yrs old and sent back to Washington, D.C. As I took it my JUVENILE LIFE SENTENCE WAS OVER & I was freed.

The crazy part of it all was how I got sentenced to Juvenile Life at a Residential Facility for actions that were done to me by the care members of the system. So us young people were sentenced to JLWOP ( Juvenile Life Without Parole) because we were neglected and the government just didn't care. For the majority of us that went through this sort of abuse. We never had an opportunity to demonstrate that we have been rehabilitated. We simply aged out and now were adults.

But I am founded my rehabilitation & the answer to all my pain. In my early 20's I got a job as a cook at Marriott in Chantily, Va. There I met a Executive Chef by name of Chef Eldorado Mills. While working in the kitchen at America Online CC1 for Marriott. Chef Mills showed me how to turn my pain into creative delicious dishes that would brighten people faces. The experience alone made we want to continue my passion and one day to become just like Chef Mills.

So with helped of Sodexho Marriott and Chef Mills I received a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where I obtained my Culinary Arts Degree. I continue my career by obtaining my Bachelor's Degree in Restaurant & Business Management. Now with having education to back up some of the knowledge of working in the kitchen.

For the past 24 years I have worked for some of Pittsburgh top fine dining restaurant. I have worked for establishment like McCormick & Schmick, Morton Steakhouse, Wyndham Grand Hotel, Chartiers Country Club and The Capital Grille. I also worked at Applebees & Dennys Inc. While working at these establishments I obtained the speed necessary to fully function on a line with my other teammates. My passion for food the for the restaurant industry is more greater than a paycheck. Here I was able to learn multiple crafts, gain knowledge, learned to to be a leader, inspired others and come out as a Gay Man.

I now have the courage to fully talked about the pain that I endured as a child into adulthood. I continue to be remodeled and hope inspire others never to give up. Working in the restaurant industry gives me that ability to touch those with my Culinary experience or even helping others that just need the support.

My Life Was A Creation Of Pain Sweat Hardwork & A Opportunity To Change