Listen to Podcast version, Read it Because I Wrote It, here. October 22, 2011. A week before, Timile and I said so long to our daughter. Cydney was the first to move from Buffalo to Virginia, Timile a week later, and I the weekend which followed. Before their departure, my mother in-law asked for power... Continue Reading →
A Critical Mind
Around 1am on a humid 4th of July, I waited outside of my friends’ hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter. I came to New Orleans for my college roommate’s wedding; and after the nuptials, shooting a music video at the reception, and a drink in hand for the past nine hours, it was time to... Continue Reading →
Life Lessons I Learned From Boxing
Listen along while you read: Read It Because I Wrote It Podcast “You’ve got to make people respect your jab! You’re big and strong and your [right handed] straight [punch] will put someone to sleep. But if you don’t extend your [left] arm and throw more than just a decoy jab, no one will respect... Continue Reading →
The Origin Story of “Read It Because I Wrote It”
Somewhere between 2013 and 2014, shortly after my first professional gig as a writer, I clicked the share button for one of my articles to promote myself on social media. With little thought, on my phone, I typed “Read It Because I Wrote It” and put it on the internet. I didn’t put much thought... Continue Reading →
My Ode to Self-Care 48: “Rich is Gangsta”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ekyi3E3yToc “Last night, I had a dream about you. You were older. You were driving home from work, in a very nice car, to your very nice house. The sun was setting and you were able to look back at everything you’d been through and say to yourself “I made it.’” Timile Brown told me... Continue Reading →
My Ode to Self-Care 47: “Friend Zone”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/QD3Me-SXRtA This essay was the fourth on my playlist and was supposed to be written in June. However, I could not find the words and vowed to come back when the muse hits me. Forty-two essays and three left after this one, today is the day (Editor’s note: I wrote the first two sentences on... Continue Reading →
My Ode to Self-Care 46: “Perfect Timing”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/dYp_x_-UT1s This is another one of these where I am simply writing whatever comes to mind, how it comes to me… One of the idiosyncrasies I have picked up from my experiences is hyperawareness of time. I view almost everything through a lens of everything is finite. I could be having the greatest experience in... Continue Reading →
My Ode to Self-Care 45: “Here I Come”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ssNHiCNnS0 In the spirit of vulnerability, I’m not editing this piece at all… There is always a girl story. Amongst my friends and I, the previous sentence is a common expression because in all honesty, there is always a story about some girl and me. It never fails and has become a running joke. If... Continue Reading →
My Ode to Self-Care 44: “Hold Tight”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/amk45XdlYVo I hit a wall today. If I were to include this essay, I have eight more prompts and an epilogue before this four-month excursion is completed. Towards the end of all projects, the creative mind feels depleted; the easy solution is to stop and begin the next one because it is already on your... Continue Reading →
An Ode to Self-Care 43: “Ribbon in the Sky”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/bANgta79k50 In the summer of 1991, my aunt told her five-year old niece and nephew she would be away until they were in fifth grade. My sister and I did not quite comprehend what she meant about college or time apart for a period equivalent to our lifetime. Without allusion to anyone’s age, my aunt... Continue Reading →