He never needed help — “Okay, so we’re all here because of our hard work and of course, the help that we’ve received. And, that’s the message that we want to convey to our students. We’re here to help and at times, you’ll need help.” That statement seemed simple enough. Hard work leads to success…

And 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…

I’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…

After unlearning my own childhood obsession with the police, I’m giving my child the tools to shape his own worldview — The year is 2020. As usual, the news is on in our home, providing a background ambiance for our daily lives. The reporter, a White woman who is almost in tears, describes the latest developments in the murder of Breonna Taylor. Murder. I use that word deliberately because seldom is…

A reflection on critical race theory, ignorance, and maintaining your voice — I stand at about 5’5’’ with the grace and frame of an amateur wrestler that lifted just enough weights to see some ring time but gets winded before the start of every match. My shoulders are broad and for most of my life, my facial expression has indicated that I’m…

And More Advice That I Don’t Follow — “I have an idea. I’m going to write a post every week. It’ll be quick — just something to keep the creative juices flowing.” That was me and that was my goal for 2021. “Minute Mondays” is what I called it — quick thoughts on anything that was happening that…

I’m a writer and my friends get it — “You’re more than just a social worker though.” His words hit me like a Wu-Tang album. They were hard, raw, and uncompromising. I let them dangle in ether, occupying the void between his end of the phone line and mine. “You know what I mean?” he continued. “You’re a social…

I’ve had enough — “Jayson-Kandace,” look! “Jayson-Kandace, come!” “Jayson-Kandace, we miss you.” My wife and I are a packaged deal, in the eyes of our god-children. We’ve watched them grow up and despite the fact that we are two very different human beings, they refuse to separate us. The boy, a seven-year-old sweetheart, loves…

Self-care isn’t easy, but it’s necessary — “No one is going to die.” He said it with enough confidence for me to listen and the head of grey made me believe him. “Listen, no one’s going to die,” he continued. “This job is easy.” It was just four weeks into my career as a social worker; a…