ability to succeed.

This is the view of a successful American neurosurgeon who grew up in a Detroit ghetto but went on to lead the first team to successfully separate Siamese twins joined by a major blood vessel at the back of their heads.

Dr. Ben Carson, who will speak in Bermuda next month, said he plans to emphasise the "tremendous intellectual potential that each of us have''.

Speaking from experience, the once hot-headed, frustrated student, who is now director of Paediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, said: "They (young black people) don't have to be the victims of circumstance. They can plan and strategise.'' However he added: "We have to create within young people a dream, a goal, a desire and show them a way that it can be reached, and that it is not just for a few of another ethnic group.'' Dr. Carson noted in his autobiography "Gifted Hands'' that his mother, Sonya, married at 13 and was left with only a third-grade education to raise two sons. She divorced when he was eight.

But Mrs. Carson recognised her son's academic ability and when his grades slipped fast in his fifth grade, she required both of her sons to read at least two books a week. She also limited their television watching.

This, in turn, forced Dr. Carson to discover the library. Then, through the inspiration of his mother, the church and his desire to turn his life around, Dr. Carson went on to graduate at the top of his senior class.

He later attended Yale University where he earned his undergraduate degree.

He received his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1977.

Among his many achievements, he has served surgical and neurosurgical residencies and fellowships at Hopkins and trained at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia.

Dr. Carson also received numerous honours and awards, including 14 honorary doctorate degrees.

He hopes the young people who hear his message will "go away with a sense that they have a tremendous opportunity to seize the initiative in creating a positive environment'' for themselves.

When asked what he would say to youngsters born into poverty and with no hope of improving their lives, Dr. Carson said: "I would like to talk to them about slavery in the US and immigrants who came here and worked 16 hours a day.

"If you don't have the financial means, you have to be prepared to work hard.'' He highlighted the example of Mr. A.G. Gaston, a black man who became a millionaire in segregated Birmingham, Alabama, in the 1930s. Noting that a simple idea to sell funeral insurance policies led to Mr. Gaston owning hotels and soft drink companies, Dr. Carson said: "He kept his eyes open and was willing to work.'' Dr. Carson also noted that when Mr. Gaston was asked about his successful idea, he replied: "I saw a need and I filled it.

"This is what distinguishes those people who sit back and complain and wish they had things from those who achieve,'' Dr. Carson added.

He will be speaking the Seventh Day Adventist Youth Centre Hall in Hamilton at 8 p.m. on April 8.

Tickets for the event are $28 and available at the 27th Century Boutique and from local organisers Successories of Bermuda at 295-4111.

Students will have the chance to hear Dr. Carson through sponsorship by Government and community organisations.

Part proceeds from the event will go to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda.