C.J. Goodwin's early life was marked by a profound lesson in humanity, taught by his father, Perry Galloway Jr., a civil rights activist. At a young age, Goodwin experienced the harsh realities of racism firsthand during a Klan rally in Claysville, PA. His father's intention was clear: to show him that Black individuals are just as capable and intelligent as anyone else. The experience shifted Goodwin's perspective on humanity, prompting him to question the motives behind hate and division.