Simply Inspiring: Kevin Powell in Charlotte



Tuesday night, I had the privilege of listening to a lecture given by Kevin Powell; the presentation was sponsored by Johnson C. Smith as part of their lyceum series. This was so cool for me, especially as a writer and as someone who is very concerned with the current state of our community—both from a global and a more intimate perspective. Kevin’s words were not only inspirational but empowering; in addition, it helped to provide even more momentum for what Kirsten and I are trying to do with Mosaic Literary Center. Young men of color need help y’all. We are essentially living in a state of emergency and the faster that EVERYONE realizes this, the more support we can provide for these young men. Will the problems of the world cease tomorrow?... probably not. Nevertheless, we have to start somewhere, and I need everyone to step up to the plate and make it happen. This includes me. This is a call to action that involves us all stepping outside of our comfort zone and searching for ways to make a difference. A few posts back, I said that it is time for a revolution. The time is now.

Poetry & Jazz Featuring Maze Forever

Loyalty and Lessons Learned

When money is involved, you find out who your friends are…or aren’t. There are two types of individuals in this world—those who take responsibility for their actions and those who don’t. Me, I try my hardest to be in the former category. We all come short sometimes and make mistakes, but the main thing is learning from the mistakes we have made and moving on. Holding on the things of the past does absolutely nothing…it only keeps you living in the past, reliving old worries and not allowing your present to take you to your future.

In the last few years, I have made some massive mistakes…nothing malicious, but mistakes nonetheless. I have made the colossal mistakes of trusting people who didn’t earn or deserve my trust, loving people who didn’t earn or deserve my love and trying to please people who didn’t earn or deserve my efforts. It’s a new day. That ends now. God has bestowed so many incredible blessings on me, and I need to start walking and living in my anointing. I know that I am on the right path because the enemy is placing stumbling blocks at every turn. But you know what...I rebuke those hindrances in the name of Jesus, my personal Lord and Savior.

I have worked hard, but I am nothing without the love and grace of the Lord and the fellowship of my friends and family, who not only believe in me…but actually KNOW me…not what they assume, not what people say behind my back, but actually know who I am as a person. For that I am thankful.

Special Shout out goes out the soul sister Ms. Onika Pascal…I got your messages girl, Thank you, thank you, thank you…Your words were right on time, and I could feel the love in my time of need. Keep being you.

Also to all of the people who have reached out after my father’s death, I don’t even have words for the depth of gratitude I feel. Just the daily checking up on me messages have meant the world to me. I appreciate you and all of the thoughts and prayers during this very difficult period in my life. It’s an ongoing struggle, but I am well equipped.

Another one bites the dust…

Just when I was getting really excited about the prospect of promoting and doing a complete public relations campaign for a female hip hop artist—who is so talented that selling her sexuality doesn’t have to be the number one bullet point on her marketing and promotions plan—I am let down…and disappointed yet again.

I won’t put the artist on blast, but this girl can rap…I mean really flow. And what does she do instead, allow the deviant, bottom of the barrel management/record label pimp her out like a 10 dollar ho…I mean really. Isn’t it getting old ladies? Aren’t you tired of “my neck, my back” being “da baddest bitch” always “droppin’ it like it’s hot” and wondering why women of color are not respected or revered by the world. We complain about not being able to get ahead…well if you stop talking about “giving or receiving head” then you may be able to show someone that you are a great deal more than the sum of your parts, that your assets include more than a pair of stripper shoes, booty shorts and the weave that you paid too much for…yeah, I said it. Ladies, you are not a bitch…stop calling yourself one. Words have power, use your tongue to empower instead of showing how good you can be on your knees. Even if no one else tells you, I’m telling you, you are better than that. Stop selling yourself short, you are worth more than anyone could ever pay you.

We are precious and made glorious by the love of God…act like it! We have to respect ourselves first if we ever expect anyone else to. That’s fact, not fiction. Turning tricks in any capacity (mentally, spiritually or physically) will only do one thing—trap you in a hell of your own design, wondering “how did I end up here.”

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