HIStory

“I’ve gone through a lot in my life, but the trials and tribulations have made me into the man that you see today.” - Andrei “Mr.Duffy” Nichols II

As the youngest living in a house of five on Detroit’s Westside, it is fair to say that my upbringing was quite “Old school”. The street lights were my alarm clock, the corner liquor store, Freddy’s, was my daily pit stop, and Detroit Central High School and Adams Butzel were my safe havens for little league football practice. Growing up on West Chicago and Holmur (Dexter), I was sheltered quite well within the jungle known as Detroit,Michigan. With my parents divorced and being an only child for seven years, the early stages of my life were mixed with both pain and pleasure. I come from a background of teachers, principals, business owners, and change-agents. On the contrary, I am the product of hustlers, single-mothers, and surrounded by violence. Despite these circumstances, I have been blessed to not be another statistic within “The System”.

I was raised in the church and you could catch me nodding off next to “Big Ma”, Mrs. Mary C. Goodman, on any given Sunday at Solomon’s Temple located on Detroit’s Eastside. With both parents within my life, I used sports as my outlet for the anger that was within me. This anger sprouted from the lack of control I had on life at such an early age. Being perceived as the “Golden Child” took a tole on me, but sports allowed me to take back the control that I was desperately yearning for. I played for the Detroit Dragons for nearly seven years within Detroit PAL. Football was pivotal in my understanding of how to control my emotions all throughout my schooling. It wasn't until I moved to West McNichols (2009) which led to the ladder half of my public school education at Detroit Renaissance High School that my passion for business and mentorship began.

6565 W. Outerdrive is a high school address known to many, even the one’s who believe that they’re second to none. My four year tenure at Renaissance High School allowed me to find my core circle of friends, my first job, and become a life long mentee within The Midnight Golf Program (MGP). While playing varsity sports, I balanced being a golf caddie at Plum Hollow Country Club and a Monday/Wednesday (Bus 1) attendee of MGP, all during my senior year of high school before attending Michigan State University. During my graduating year of high school in 2016, I founded The Suits for Success Youth Mentoring Program alongside my partner Kyle McMurtry. Our program has been active for eight years and we have been able to provide four scholarships, over 15+ programming and events, and we are now en route to becoming a full functioning non-profit organization by the end of 2024.

In August of 2020, I was diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder amongst overcoming many mental health battles. I use my struggles as a testament of strong faith and the ability too lean on those who are in your corner during times of need. At the age of 25, I’ve gone through a lot in my life, but the trials and tribulations have made me into the man that you see today. Moreover, I will be graduating from Michigan State University with my degree in marketing… SOON. I am the proud owner of The Duffy Enterprise, a company that drives social change by providing companies with the best brand solutions. I am a Hustler, Social Influencer, and a Director of Impact. Most importantly, I am human, & a child of God. I would be nowhere without my faith and everything that I have been blessed to accomplish is all due to my strong spiritual walk and decision to place God first before anyone else. I hope that my story inspires someone else as we all are on our own journey towards peace and happiness.

Despite the time of the year is will always be #DuffySzn. Always BET BIG on Yourself.