Andrew Marshall, Jr. was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, and also attended Claflin Elementary School, a formerly segregated public school that is approximately 145 years old. Claflin Elementary School consisted of grades kindergarten through sixth. Coincidentally, the Author's father, Andrew Marshall, Sr., also attended Claflin as a child growing up in Columbus. Andrew Marshall, Jr., was a student in the last sixth grade class at Claflin, immediately prior to Columbus, Georgia experiencing mandated integration of this Nation's public school systems.In June 1976, after completing his junior year, the Author graduated from high school. In December of the same year, when he was still 17 years old, Andrew enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Prior to leaving for Boot Camp, he made an attempt to count every house and/or lots (where a home had once stood) that he could remember having lived during his upbringing. Subsequently, he counted 13 different home locations. After conferring with an older sister on this number, that sister told him that he had missed two other houses. The Author is capable of recalling practically every day of his life. Andrew Marshall, Jr. had a once in a lifetime experience when he met and conversed with one of history's greatest literary giants of poetry, Miss Gwendolyn Brooks, who was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for her book Annie Allen (poetry). Reverently, this chance meeting and brief discussions with Miss Gwendolyn Brooks have been the motivation for some of Andrew Marshall, Jr., more poignant allegorical and metaphorical writings (satirical as well). Additionally, this Author has historically embraced the writings of Langston Hughes, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, along with many of the other notable Harlem Renaissance Writers. With respect to this literary field of endeavors, AndrewMarshall, Jr. has read and/or attempted to analyze the works of many other authors, whether contemporary or historical. Andrew Marshall, Jr., graduated in 1983 with honors from Bethune-Cookman University (formerly, "Bethune-Cookman College"), an HBCU or Historically Black College or University. After graduating from Bethune-Cookman, Andrew Marshall, Jr. completed a Master's of science degree in Human Resources Management and Development at National Louis University. He retired from the United States Federal Government. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
