blackgirl on mars: notes on a life in copenhagen (or how my alienation brings me closer to people).

Chillin with friends in Copenhagen. I love it when friends come to visit me in Copenhagen. This time I have my old college pal Rayner Ramirez and his partner Amber Payne visiting me - with Rayner two teenage kids. This weekend we're off to Sweden. I'm pretty stoked.

upcoming panelists talk it out! It had been my intention to retire this blog - I mean, I've been blogging for a minute now. But then folks from all walks of life reach out to me - coming upon my blog through a variety of ways and a friend passes away and reminds me that there's something to the power of keep on keepin' on. I really wanted Brook Stephenson to see my latest piece for NBCBLK about Jason Reynolds .  Brook Stephenson was one of the brainchilds behind The Rhode Island Writer's Colony  and this is where I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jason Reynolds. It was just Brook, Jason and myself most of the time and  I could not have asked for a better homecoming (return to the States) than to land in house with them both.  It was like I received a crash-course in what has been happening in the States (literarily speaking), and getting into politics from a global perspective.  It was like landing a refuge where I had the best companions/brothers/ca...

Brook Stephenson, Jason Reynolds Rhode Island September 2014 Jason Reynolds, Brook Stephenson and John Stephenson Harlem 2007 with the All-Star Cast at Marie D. Brown's Harlem Haven of Hope. I don't know what "death" is - but I learned a lot about Living from  Brook Stephenson - someone whose recent exit has left the world and my life, a lot poorer. I am thankful to have crossed paths with a soul who showed me laughter, positivity and an indomintable commitment to success - if even just by being there. Brook Stephenson was a true friend who not only talked the talk, but walked it. He was a champion of Blackgirl on Mars and Bandit Queen Press and knew how to pick hi s friends up and support them. I learned a lot from having his spirit in my life and I if there is one priceless gift he has left me with is a commitment to be half a good a friend as he had shown me. Many times when I was sad, feeling defeated, lonely - far away from home - it was Brook wh...