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Nikki Johnson-Huston: I lived with Mrs. Deborah Leavy and Dr. Donald Bersoff caring for their son Benjamin. It was the first time in 19 years that I saw what it looked like on the other side of poverty. There was plenty of money for food - they didn't use food stamps (I had never seen that back then). Deborah was a lawyer. Donald was a law professor at Villanova University. They read to their son. They ate dinner as a family. They participated in community events. They treated me with respect - and I them. The fact that I am African-American and they are Caucasian did not matter - nor did our Christian and Jewish differences. Skipping ahead almost a decade when I got married, Deborah served as our matron-of-honor, Donald our groomsman and Benjamin our usher.

Gina Rubel: So, you went on to law school. How did you make that jump?

Nikki Johnson-Huston: I never gave up on my dream of attending law school but I didn't know how I would pay for it. I realized I had to take a chance on myself and invest in my future. Having lived with Deborah and Donald, I learned that education was about so much more than focusing on making money. It is about just that - education and its inherent value. So today, I have an incredible amount of student loans but I don't regret going to law school for a second. Going to law school felt like coming home, I was embraced by the Temple Law community and found myself as both a person and a leader. I graduated with my J.D., M.B.A. and LL.M in Taxation all in four years. Now, I am an Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia Law Department within the city's Major Tax Unit.

Gina Rubel: You are quite accomplished. Why do you think you were able to achieve your dreams when so many people fall victim to circumstance?

Nikki Johnson-Huston: In one respect, I have achieved my dreams but in so many ways, I have not. In fact, I often feel like I have failed since my brother is a drug addict, is still homeless, and has HIV. I would do anything to help him - and yet, there is little I can do. I guess I was the lucky one. I was lucky that I had my grandmother; that I got out when I did; that I found employment and friendship in Pennsylvania; that St. Joes gave me a second chance; and I was blessed in so many other ways. I have also made my share of mistakes but my successes have far outweighed my failures. People are afraid to fail, so they don't even try. I worked really hard and when I was so tired that I didn't think I could go on, then I worked some more. I decided that failure was not an option because I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. My grandmother used to say that there was no shame in being poor but of being poor of character. I couldn't agree more.

Gina Rubel: You were recently named a "Lawyer on the Fast Track" for Pennsylvania by The Legal Intelligencer. What does that honor mean to you?

Nikki Johnson-Huston: I was so excited to win this award. To be recognized by the legal community was a great honor. I have worked so hard to become a lawyer -- it is better than I could have imagined. I was shocked at how many cards, letters, and e-mails I received from people that I had never met who said they were proud of me.

Gina Rubel: So what's next? What dreams do you still have to make come true?

Nikki Johnson-Huston: I am living my dream but I also want to share my story to educate others and pay it forward. I want to be part of the solution in society which means finding the right platforms. I have an obligation to the young people coming behind me to help them. By sharing my story, I hope to help others to realize that they can overcome adversity, poverty, homelessness and so many other obstacles to success.

Gina Rubel: What does that platform look like to you?

Nikki Johnson-Huston: I hope to write a book, make it a New York Times Best Seller, get booked as a motivational speaker in schools and universities across the country, and share my story with Oprah. Then, I know I will have made a difference.

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