[Music] you ever feel like you were meant for so much more but there was always something holding you back I felt that way my whole life like my purpose was out there somewhere after years of feeling trapped I realized I'd never find that purpose if I stayed still [Music] my name is Jay Ford I'm a filmmaker and photographer from Palmdale California where I'm from being a creative wasn't a path most people could take Palmdale turned me into the man I am today I went through every emotion possible trying to pursue my crafts and that gave
me perspective so I learned to live with a bit of a chip on my shoulder and I embraced it when people doubted me and over time I knew there was so much more for me out there I realized I couldn't let where I'm from dictate how far I went so I chose to go places where people like me just don't go I chose to go far from home [Applause] foreign [Music] travel brings out my curiosity for life my energy for creating it reminds me that I'm the one who decides how far I go I wish
I could see myself 10 years ago and tell that kid from Palmdale that one day he's going to overcome that feeling of being different and go further than he ever thought possible far from home far from ordinary far from finished [Music] I want to be an outlet for people who look like me for other kids that feel trapped to look at me and say he did that I can too because where you're from should never stop you from where you meant to go [Music] [Music]