Joseph EfkenMarch 14, 2014Research Paper DraftColin Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in a hospital in Harlem, New York. His parents were Jamaican immigrants. Colin grew up in the South Bronx, in a neighborhood nicknamed “Banana Kelly.” His father pushed him to get a good education and Colin tried to study and get good grades, but he graduated from Morris High School with a C average. was not an exceptional average, his father was not angry with him. After high school, Colin went to a New York City college. Colin later married Alma Vivian Johnson and they had three children. Eventually, he wrote a best-selling autobiography. Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in a Harlem hospital. His parents were Jamaican immigrants who came to New York. Powell grew up in a neighborhood filled with crime and drugs. Colin's parents didn't want him to grow up in a neighborhood where he could easily get hurt, so they decided to move to a new neighborhood that would be perfect for Colin to grow up, make friends, and go to a well-educated school . . The neighborhood had a nickname: “Banana Kelly.” His father pushed Colin to get good grades, but when he got bad grades, his father didn't blame him because he knew Colin was trying. Colin attended public schools during his time in New York. After attending public schools, Colin went to Morris High School in Harlem, New York. His parents urged him to get a good education and good grades. After earning a C average, Powell sold toys at a baby store near his neighborhood and worked part-time, until his boss gave him more hours and a pay raise. While he had been attentive...... middle of paper ...... Secretary of Defense under Ronald Reagen, the President of the United States. He reached the rank of major general in the army. Colin received a Soldier's Medal for saving men from a burning helicopter. Colin Powell was a significant man because of his accomplishments while serving in the military. He also played an important political role in helping our country stay safe and organized. He has been in near-death situations several times, including a helicopter crash in Vietnam. Colin's military career began around the age of twenty and lasted for over twenty years. He proved to be a courageous soldier. His main military achievements have not gone unrecognized. In addition to his military recognitions and personal achievements, he also wrote a best-selling autobiography. Colin is still alive today, at the age of seventy-seven..