Romaner J. Strong, Jr., the son of Romaner J. Strong, Sr., an entrepreneur in automotive repair, and Anna M. Strong, an educator, both now deceased, was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The author attended the then racially segregated Oklahoma City public school system, studying and receiving high honors at Edwards Elementary School, F.D. Moon Junior High School, and Frederick Douglass High School. Upon completing his secondary education, Mr. Strong applied to and was accepted at his university of choice, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he received B.A., M.F.A., and J.D. degrees.