Growing up as a child in a rough area in Baltimore in the 1980s, Wes Moore was surrounded by violence and despair.

But as an adult he beat the odds to become an internationally acclaimed author and Rhodes Scholar, inspiring thousands of others with his message of redemption and hope.

The motivational speaker was on the Island yesterday speaking with the community about the importance of the choices they make. He met with inmates at the Co-Ed Facility, students from Government agencies and a large audience at Victoria Park on Thursday night.

Mr. Moore was one the speakers taking part in an empowerment weekend put on by Kingdom Reign Ministries and Women of Vision Empowering Nations (WOVEN).

The events, which include a barbecue at Messina House tonight, are meant to inspire the Island's youth to shape their own destinies and give parents the tools to help them.

Mr. Moore, the New York Times best-selling author of 'The Other Wes Moore', said: "I think that the larger message is really just the interconnections in all of us. The same challenges and opportunities in the United States are the same challenges and opportunities all around the world.

"The message that I hope they get is all of us need a second chance. There is not one person that has done it all right. It is important to note that everyone needs second chances, but need to take advantage of those chances," the 31-year-old said.

He added: "Your past is your past and you can't do anything about that, but your future is actually what can make the difference."

His book is a true story about a man with the same name and similar background as Mr. Moore, but who took a totally different path in life.

Instead of graduating from Johns Hopkins University with top academic honours like Mr. Moore did, the other Wes Moore ended up serving a life sentence in prison for killing a police officer.

Mr. Moore learned of the other Wes through a Baltimore newspaper, which profiled his own Rhodes Scholarship.

It was December of 2000 and the paper was also running stories about four black men arrested for the murder of an off-duty Police officer.

One of the men convicted was just two years older than Mr. Moore, lived in the same neighbourhood and was also named Wes Moore.

Mr. Moore thought the parallels between their two lives were fascinating, and said: "I thought there was a bigger truth that could be uncovered."

He began to write letters and visit the inmate and finally discovered which factors led him on the path to success instead of shackles.

According to Mr. Moore, the other Wes said he had wasted "every opportunity he had in life".

Meanwhile, he said he had learned the importance of eduscation, positive role models, family support, spiritual faith and of holding high expectations for himself.

He recognises the other Wes' life could be his own, and admits he had his own rocky start in life getting bad grades and being suspended from the private school to which his widowed mother had sacrificed to send him.

Mr. Moore said: "I think people see how much the story resonates in their own lives. When people go back and read the two stories and understand the importance of the choices they make.

"I think in many ways it is a story of redemption and hope and tragedy, all wrapped up in one."

Though his visit to the Island was short, he told The Royal Gazette: "The reaction was fantastic. It was so humbling to see."

Event organiser Jonathan Lambe, 36, said: "The response was unbelievable. People are hearing about it now so we will be doing a follow-up initiative with Wes in the future. We are actually working on that now.

"We are going to do some empowerment sessions in the future as well so Wes is wanting to come back to the Island."

For more information on Mr. Moore go to www.theotherwesmoore.com. Or to find out more about Kingdom Reign Ministries and the empowerment events this weekend call 296-5044 or visit www.reignlive.com.