Published in An Injustice!·PinnedMember-onlyNo, You Don’t Understand RacismI am not a dog — It was 2016 and Donald Trump was just elected President. I couldn’t help but dwell on how we got here. Just eight years prior, I was sitting in my college dorm watching the polls come in; watching Barack Obama, the first Black person to be elected into the highest office…Racism3 min readRacism3 min read
PinnedMember-onlyIf You’re Ever Afraid, Jump AnywayA letter to my unborn child — I have so much to tell you. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting a few yards from the ocean, watching the waves crash against the coast as the Caribbean breeze kisses my skin. We’re an hour from sunset and I’m very much looking forward to the pink and purple hues…Life11 min readLife11 min read
Published in An Injustice!·PinnedMember-onlyHow Does it Feel to Be Black?You asked. Here’s your answer — Let’s take it back to May of 2011. I was proud, carefree, and for once, my walkthrough campus had nothing to do with anything remotely academic. Senior Week was a blur and rightfully so. It was a time to let go of past inhibitions and do everything that you missed…Culture6 min readCulture6 min read
Published in LEVEL·PinnedMember-onlyI Got Vaccinated Because I’m SelfishAnd that’s God’s honest truth — Five minutes of vomiting followed by another seven minutes of groaning in agony. Twelve minutes in total, sitting on my mom’s couch, as she got ready for the day ahead. When she finally exited the bathroom, it was clear that I startled her. “Oh, Jay! I didn’t know that you…Covid-195 min readCovid-195 min read
Published in Momentum·PinnedMember-onlyNot All Black People Can Rap, and Other ConfessionsI’m from Brooklyn, so I quote Jay-Z like pastors quote the Bible. I truly believe that there’s a Hov line for any occasion; if you can’t think of one, then your knowledge of his catalog isn’t deep enough. But, I don’t have that problem because I love rap. I’m a…Humor6 min readHumor6 min read
2 days agoMember-onlyI Didn’t Know About Mental LoadMy privilege is showing — I’m not a planner, at least I don’t like to be. For most of my life, the plan has been in my mind, loose, and with opportunities for freestyling. I’m the kind of person that likes to leave the house with nothing but my phone, keys, and wallet. Anything else…Gender Equality5 min readGender Equality5 min read
Mar 14Member-onlyI Don’t Have to Be Great Right NowOn writing, imposter syndrome, and the slap heard around the world — Last year, Will Smith slapped the hell out of Chris Rock at what will be remembered as the greatest Academy Awards Show of all time. I remember that night vividly. It was Sunday, March 27th and my family just returned home from a week-long escape to Grenada. The trip was…Writing5 min readWriting5 min read
Published in ZORA·Feb 20Member-onlyYou Almost Killed My WifeThe state of Black maternal health. — I’m not sure that I want any more children. When I was young, I promised my mother a bunch of grandkids. I wanted a basketball team that my future wife and I could coach through all of life’s challenges. I was idealistic, naïve, and hopeful. I didn’t know how hard…Black Maternal Health12 min readBlack Maternal Health12 min read
Published in CRY Magazine·Jan 10Member-onlyI Quiet Quit Years AgoAnd, I’m better for it — It’s 2013 and I’m 24. I’m staring into her eyes, damp from the freshly drawn tears, and I imagine they must have once been filled with light. I imagine that everyone’s eyes are filled with hope, like those of children, at least once. But, not now. Now, they are weary…Mental Health5 min readMental Health5 min read
Published in An Injustice!·Dec 29, 2022Member-onlyHow to Be Friends With Black PeopleA guide to your first cookout invitation — If you’re here, then you may have read about my neighbor’s racist dog. Well, I hate breaking it to you, but we have another. I spotted little Donald in the building lobby as their owner was buzzing in. Before I could finish saying, “Goodnight,” the barking commenced, the leash was…Race5 min readRace5 min read