Straight outta Greenwich Farm - Former ghetto youth rises to int’l auditing firm

After acquiring bachelor's and master's degrees from Alabama State University, Oshane Shaw, a former resident of Seventh Street in Greenwich Farm, is imploring other inner-city youth not to give up on their dreams.

The 27-year-old, who currently calls the US home, said he just got promoted to senior consultant at Deloitte and Touche LLP in the firm's risk and financial advisory practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Speaking with THE STAR, he said he has high hopes for ghetto youth and encourages them to keep their heads above water, even when they have little or nothing to hold on to.

"I knew that this was something that we hear over and over again, but education and sports can literally change your life. All you have to do is just buckle down, because your education will save you or change your circumstances. There is light at the end of the tunnel, so just stay focused," he said.

Shaw said he grew up with his uncle in the violence-prone Kingston 13 after both his parents migrated when he was a toddler.

"My uncle did his best for me and treated me like his own son, but it was difficult for me emotionally because I needed at least one parent around me, so I would often question myself as to why they weren't there. There was just a lot of different emotions going on in my head, so I lost focus a lot of times," he said.

Wasn't happy

After sitting the Grade Six Achievement Test, Shaw was placed at Penwood High School, but his uncle later have him transferred to Kingston High School. He stated that he wasn't happy there and hatched a plan to exit the institution.

"I was very good at track and field, so I went over to Central Branch All-Age, behind my uncle's back, and spoke with the principal and told a lie that my uncle was okay with me moving, and I got in. I told them I was good in sports, and it worked. I wanted to do GNAT (Grade Nine Achievement Test), but I didn't know that the registration was done in September and I started school the following January. I, however, did very well in track and field and broke some records, and coaches started to look at me," he said.

Shaw said he got several offers and accepted a space at Wolmer's Boys' School, where he earned eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects. He matriculated to sixth form with the hopes of getting a scholarship.

"In 2013, I won the pole vault at 'Champs' and I got offers again from coaches, and I accepted an offer to go to Alabama State University. The transformation wasn't an easy one, either. My dreams began unfolding and I graduated with a bachelor of science in accounting and marketing, and a master's in accountancy in 2017 and 2019. (But) I still felt somewhat alone. I went to my first graduation alone and when I got my master's, I didn't go to that graduation because I didn't want to experience that feeling again," he said.

Shaw said he maintains a close relationship with his uncle and has talked with his parents.

"I am at a happy place and I just want to continue to grow. I have struggled emotionally, but I never let my circumstances change what I had set my mind to. I want to see the youths just rise up," he said.