Chris Sain Jr.

Top 40 under 40 To be recognized as "Top 40" by the Grand Rapids Business Journal for the third time in four years is humbling. I am speechless. Just goes to show how faithful God is. How good God is and how he will use the least qualified to do the most. I am humbled. I am thankful.  As a young man who has always been overlooked, counted out, doubted and shunned, I truly believe God is simply making a statement. He is making a statement to the world. Daily I strive to be a living and walking Billboard for the Kingdom. He desired all along to make my name great. I simply desire to show the world how good God is. With each achievement, I will continue to give God the praise and the honor. Its not me…its Him. God Did It!!!

(Left, Chris Sain Jr. Right, Andre Fields) Chris and Dre Even in 2016, it is still rare to see two men of color who do what they do, working in higher education. Although the two couldn't be more different, there are many things Chris & Dre have in common. For instance, they both come from humble beginnings. They both graduated from Ottawa Hills High School, located in Grand Rapids, Mich. and they both have humble, laid back personalities. Nearly ten years apart in age, they are two professionals who have become more like brothers due to a shared focus and passion for helping students achieve. Underneath their blazers and tailored fitted shirts, they are both athletically built. However, despite their athletic builds, Dre, at 6' 2" is un-athletic while Chris, who is 5' 9" is athletically gifted (Dre has great genetics and the build of a world class athlete). At any given time, Chris and Dre can be found going over and beyond for a student or pu...

From Prison to Grad School: A Tale of Two Brothers Education is the Destination It is often said in the urban community that crime pays. I'm here to challenge that thought and let you know it does not. Jay and I were very close. To lose someone you love for 19 years did not pay, but cost me and my family time that we will never get back. People always wondered why I was so good in sports but what they didn't know is that my drive came from something that foreign to most people that grew up with me. See, unlike most kids, I've never been to Cedar Point, Six Flags, Disney Land and whereever else kids go. My weekends were spent in one of the many State of Michigan Correctional Facilities. I honed my skills at Martin Luther King Park. I was nothing for me to score 4 touch downs in a game or drop 25 points on opposing teams. My drive was different. My struggle might have mimicked some, but my mindset about it was different. Things didn't pan out at Michigan S...