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Marlon Gayle’s story is powerful and important. It reminds all of us that we must never give up. If we are a young person – or an older one – who is struggling, there is always hope. And if we are educators or parents or community members, there is always the possibility of redemption and healing. Dr. Gayle’s example and advice are useful for all of us. (Lynn Beck, Dean of Benerd’s School of Education- University of the Pacific)

Teacher, administrator, researcher, social worker and almost shot by the police as a teenager! Dr. Gayle lives to tell his amazing comeback story. Two weeks before graduating from high school six months early, Marlon, found himself in his school parking lot with his hands up pleading to multiple police officers, “Don’t shoot! It’s a toy gun!” Marlon ended up being expelled from high school and left in a police car that day, but he did not stop there. He returned fifteen years later to lead the same high school as an assistant principal. Dr. Gayle’s transparency and insight on how to overcome adversity are life changing and guaranteed to inspire. He explains how adversity produced moral character, ambition, compassion, and faith in his life, which empowered him to support turning points in the lives of others. Turning Point motivates people to believe that mistakes, setbacks, disabilities, tragedies, and circumstances do not disqualify them from fulfilling their purpose if they decide to learn and grow from their adversity. Dr. Gayle’s biography and practical guide inspires and reminds us that PEOPLE ARE NOT PREDESTINED TO FAIL.

"With less than one month of school remaining in my eighth grade year, my principal confronted me with a harsh reality. “If you don’t change your attitude, you will never graduate from high school,” he said. I was completely dumbfounded at the audacity of his painful declaration. I glared back at him, offended and bruised by the truth. I had less than one month remaining in my eighth grade year! I screamed inwardly with newfound resolve, determined to defend my destiny, I said to myself, “I don’t know what he’s talking about, I’m going to college!” Nevertheless, the painful truth was apparent. Here I sat in my principal’s office, disappointed with my own repetitious pattern that had brought me here. It was clear — I needed nothing short of a miracle to change the direction I was traveling in with my life (Pg.3)"