Jermale McKnight Jermale Anthony McKnight was born Jan. 5, 1984. A Washington, D.C., resident his entire life and the oldest of three boys, Jermale is an aspiring rapper who dreams of becoming a pharmacist. He graduated from H.D. Woodson High School in 2002 and received a full ride to Morgan State University in Baltimore. When trying to decide on a major, someone asked him what he was good at. Jermale didn’t stop to think for a minute. “I’m good at talking,” he said. They suggested Jermale consider talk shows or television, so he started studying broadcast journalism. Jermale’s love for the spoken word is evident in his raps, which he writes himself. He has been writing poetry and reciting songs since 1997, way back when he was in junior high. “Some raps are about the way I see things, or I try to line it up with what other people are singing about and make it unique,” he said. His favorite song that he has written is called “The Spirit of Washington.” Jermale’s musical influences for his raps are Jay–Z, Tupac and Biggie Smalls. Jermale faced homelessness while still in high school because of a shaky relationship with his mother. He stayed with friends during his last year of high school when not living at home. In his first year of college, Jermale consistently received As and Bs in his classes. He was struggling with some mental issues, which were later diagnosed as a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. One day in class he just snapped, and dropped out in his first year. Since then, Jermale has held a variety of jobs, including jobs at AMC movie theaters, Ann Taylor, a t-shirt business and Quiznos. How did you become homeless? I had messed-up priorities. I chose having fun over building a future. I was suffering from undiagnosed mental problems and started drinking, smoking. I got hospitalized, and started getting some medications. Why do you sell Street Sense? I sell Street Sense to start giving myself a challenge. The working class are the hardest people in the world, you gotta do something amazing to get them to give you any money. Where do you see yourself in five years? Hopefully graduated from college with a bachelor’s in medicine. Favorite music? Gnarls Barkley, that stuff makes you go “wow.” It’s something different. Favorite food? Grilled chicken and rice. Favorite movie? Malcolm X Favorite author? Alex Haley