Chérie asked, “why I write and who do i write for?”

i write for my abuelito in heaven, whose level of education did not surpass the 3rd grade but whose legacy of resilience, creativity and protection shall echo through eternity.

i write for my abuelita who came here with $16 in her pocket and a newborn baby, and through sheer will and perseverance created a family and a life that her ancestors could only dream of.

i write for my mother, sisters, cousins and tia’s, whose love for those they care for outweighs all known power in the universe, and whose nurturing characteristics have quite literally saved my life…time after time.

i write for my father and uncles, whom in their natural states of strength and complexity unknowingly created a successful blueprint toward shaping an honorable human being.

i write for my hood. simply because i just want a couple thousand (possibly more, if God wills it) people to be proud of me for conveying our stories in the most organic ways. i want them to be heard and seen.

and, i think most importantly, i write because i couldn’t imagine doing anything else. pardon my language, fuck a corporate job.

would love to hear from , Zhane'l Speaks, Tirrea Billings, Jacquie Verbal, MIKA Robinson, Lydia Rose, Shelley Paterson, Sasadya Jayde & Saint Trey Wooden.