THE JOURNEY:
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa, the life of Dr. D’elve Je Veux III is a collection of great achievements as well as personal tragedy. As a child of a broken home, he was physically, mentally, and sexually abused for many years beginning at the age of 5 years old and understandably became emotionally withdrawn.
Treasured by close friends and family, applauded by scholars, the childhood of D’elve Je Veux III was fraught with sexual, mental, and physical abuse. Compounding his misery was the fact that this abuse came at the hands of trusted people. His confusion and insecurities grew when he turned to many for support, and was ignored and even worse, blamed.
Growing up in an era when a child was seen and not heard a lot of pain and fear became internalized as undertones of abuse troubled him. D’elve, once a straight A student dramatically became a failing student. Seemed no one understood- yet no one really tried to understand- he was brushed aside by the loved ones he confided in for refuge; labeled, instead, as rebellious, difficult.
” Having no one believe you, meant no one would protect you.. and that meant I had to learn how to become brave… quick!”
At age 14, he had been classified as a runaway as he tried to escape the pain of being abused and misunderstood. With only a 9th grade education, he became a child of the streets, sleeping wherever he could rest his head. However, despite this tough existence, something happened on the streets: D’elve found himself. He began writing down his innermost thoughts- and found that by confronting his past on paper, he hurt; he healed, and found resolution to move forward within his own mind and heart.
“I will never forget the day I left home at age 14. My mother was beating me with a metal cane and punching me in my face when something within me grabbed her arm and told her, NO MORE. Running down the steps and out the front door, with no looking back…had no idea where I was gonna go, how I was gonna eat. All I knew was, I could no longer be a victim!”
THE SURVIVOR:
The humanitarian in him was awakened, the giver in him gave; the survivor in him lived. Although circumstances suggested that he wouldnt D’elves’ life has become a monument of what happens once THE WILL TO LIVE has been established.
At age 19, D’elve dedicated his life towards the betterment of his community and established the Dr. Richard T. Speakes Foundation, Inc; A non-profit organization dedicated towards the mental, physical and spiritual growth of those overcoming terminal diseases.
Now, at the age of 32, D’elve continues to have a world-wide impact , serving people from all walks of life with his infectious LIVE BEYOND FEAR motto.
Delve Je Veux III - A self-taught, Multi-Award-Winning poet of some 11 books -an intriguing and charismatic young man with surprising facets. One who has achieved professional success and survived personal tragedy.
