Brook Stephenson: An Eternal Spirit.

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 his 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 who was there helping me see the other side, if just by being able to observe how he did his thing. You are missed Brook - and I will honor you in all that I do. This picture is from 2007, the first year I met Brook. It was at a gathering at Marie Brown's space in Harlem and it was the first time many of my friends met Kai. 
When Brook announced he was starting up his writer's colony in Rhode Island I hopped on. At the time I was sitting in my apartment in Copenhagen - at a loss at what to do next. I had quit my job. I was sitting in an apartment that I needed to get out of. And then I saw Brook's declaration to the world that he was doing it. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The fact that it was mostly only Brook, Jason and myself ended up working out quite well for me. I hadn't been back to the States for 4 years - and they were just the guys to fill me in on the literary and political goings-on of the U.S. They were equally curious and open to hearing about my experiences abroad. Nothing makes a writer happier than interest in their work - and Brook knew this and exercised it relentlessly. He didn't know what giving up meant. What feeling sorry for yourself was. He only knew about doing it. And keeping it positive. 

 farvel, 
the lab

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