About
Griffin's childhood in Louisville, Kentucky, was filled with joy, playing catch with his brother in downtown alleyways, racing kids at the local park, and relishing in Kentucky Derby parties. However, life took a harsh turn after the devastating loss of his mother to cancer at the tender age of six. From that moment, Griffin's life became a challenging journey, moving from friends' couches to hotels and homeless shelters. Despite facing overwhelming obstacles, he remained steadfast, demonstrating unwavering determination that eventually led him to graduate as the top student in his high school class.
In 2014, the world took notice of his inspiring story, coining him the "Homeless Valedictorian" in a viral news story. Recognizing the power of his message, Griffin decided to share his life's journey and began writing his story during his college freshman year, driven by the desire to inspire others who face seemingly insurmountable odds.
Early on, Griffin discovered his creative outlet in middle school, where he found joy in writing poetry and pursuing acting. The art of rhyme scheme, wordplay, cadence, and rhythm fascinated him, turning writing into a captivating puzzle he couldn't resist solving.
Presently, Griffin has blossomed into a full-time civil engineer, all while dedicating his free time to writing. His aspirations extend beyond personal achievements; he aims to visit schools, spreading motivation among students and using a portion of his book proceeds to fund a scholarship endowment to support other homeless students.
Griffin's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity. Through his words and actions, he continues to inspire hope and change in the lives of those who face similar challenges, proving that dreams can be realized against all odds.
2014: Homeless Valedictorian Goes Viral
Despite spending his childhood as a homeless student, Griffin Furlong defied the odds by graduating valedictorian of his high school.
His main message: Never give up.
2018: Griffin Graduates College
Griffin earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Florida State University with Magna Cum Laude honors. His love for algebra, calculus, and problem-solving in high-school led him to become an engineer.
"If a student opens, reads, and applies every principle in this book, they'll create the world in which they dream."
- Griffin
2020-2022: Griffin's First Book
Griffin spent 2000-2022 writing his first book "Boundless: Choosing a Mindset for Lifelong Growth." He began writing in college, but more as a creative outlet. In the year 2020, Griffin compiled his writings and fostered the vision of publishing his own book.
At first, he struggled to find his main audience and purpose, which caused multiple rewrites and edits. But Griffin found direction and steered his focus toward students, with hopes of inspiring a young generation to grow their perspective and mindset.