Signature was redacted for privacy. Signature was redacted for privacy. Signature was redacted for privacy. Signature was redacted for privacy. ii DEDICATION To Almighty God, Who has sustained me To my mother's determination. Reverend Pauline James (Retired) To the loving memory of my late father, David James, Sr., my maternal grandparents, Benjamin and Lula Smith, and deceased friend, Clifton Grear To my supportive (and only sibling) brother, Louis B. P. James, and his family, my sister-in-law, Lori, and my niece and nephew, Imani and Amari