Originally from Cape Verde, West Africa, he writes to inspire others. His parents struggled to bring the family to America to live a better life, to get an education, and he has never forgotten that. He is passing on to others lessons learned. Gomes who worked very hard as a youngster to learn English now works in the special education department for the Bridgeport Board of Education, he finds his work there inspiring, every day, because he can give back to kids who need him the most.