If I took the time to thank and acknowledge everyone who has influenced, inspired, mentored and/or supported me, this sections would be longer than the actual book. With that said, I will do the best to make this both thorough and concise.

Thank you to my family. My parents, Samuel and Simeona, my siblings, Uwani and Lasalle, my uncle Pine and Aunt Yolly, my cousins Rassan and Jameel. Thank you to the Michael family- Michael, Saba, Degol, Maezn, Ghebriel, and the mother of my daughter, Samra.

Thank you to my poetry family.

Collective Purpose: Jessica Molina, Anthony Blacksher, Thali, Viet Mai, Kendrick Dial and Chris Wilson. You all believed in me well before I believed in myself.

Da Poetry Lounge: Shihan Van Clef and Javon Johnson. You both became my big brothers and challenged me to become better than I thought I could be. I use you both as measuring sticks and I am honored to have you two as my mentors.

Thank you to Imani Cezanne and Terisa Siagatonu. I love you both dearly. You are phenomenal writers and all-around amazing people.

Krystal and Eric Fountain. You two are probably the only people who've seen my entire progression. You have been supporting me since day one and I can't thank you enough for that.

Thank you to my daughter Zoey. She doesn't know it yet, but she's teaching me so much about life. I can't wait to return the favor.

Last but not least, thank you to Button Poetry for this amazing opportunity.