M. Jr Olivera

  Monserrate “Junior” Olivera was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 18, 1985 and raised in Glendale, New York. At the age of five, his mother passed away from a severe asthma attack resulting in a heart attack in Ponce, Puerto Rico where he and his sister were living. It was then that Monserrate, nicknamed Junior, moved back to Brooklyn, New York to live with his grandmother who raised both he and his sister Veronica. Money was always limited so Junior did whatever he could to help out. Between hard work and a natural proclivity for sports, Junior excelled at high school basketball and reached varsity status during his sophomore year. At the age of 16, Junior worked as a group counselor at the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council (GRYC). One year later at the age of 17, he became a supervisor at the Council. Junior did not come from privilege and was taught the value of hard work. After graduating from SUNY Delhi with a grade point average of 3.89, he secured an internship at a mark...