The Prophets(117)
Calvis McLaurin: One day, brother, it will be impossible for you to ignore your calling and you will get to work. More than politicians, pastors, priests, police, and pimps, the world needs its painters. Your brush is then pen; your pad your canvas. Go make a masterpiece. For our sake.
Ernesto Mestre-Reed: When very few others saw value in my writing, had, in fact, diminished it with their thoughts and words, had cautioned me about the “danger of becoming a Black writer,” you saw what they refused to: that the danger was present not how they imagined, but how they feared. You encouraged me to continue writing and showed me that there was inherent worth in my work. Your mentorship was invaluable. Thank you.
Toni Morrison: It was my dream for you to read this book, believe that it has merit, offer your blessing, and perhaps invite me for a cup of tea at your house so that I could tell you how without you, this book could not have been because it was your holy scripture, your complete indictment and rearrangement of the English language that inspired me to write it. You said if I couldn’t find the book I wanted to read, then I must write it. So I did. Wherever you are in the universe, it is my sincerest hope that you are pleased.
Roni Natov: “Intake of breath . . .” You have been a tremendous advocate of not just my academic success, but of my overall success. If not for your boundless kindness, support, and belief in my abilities, I’m not sure where I’d be right now. You are a joy. Thank you.
Osvaldo Oyola: You saw this work at its earliest, clumsiest stages and still thought it was worth something. Thank you for your keen set of eyes, indelible mind, and brotherhood. Started from the Cyborg, now we here!
Samora Pinderhughes: Bruh-Bruh, from the moment we met, we became family. Thank you for listening, wishing only good things for me, cooking healthy foods, letting me get sneak peeks of your music, being one of the most brilliant musicians on this planet, having a big-ass heart, and having an incredible conscience.
Robert Scott: As I wandered the halls of Brooklyn College lost, you found me, as you have found generations of others, and put me on the right track. Thank you for your careful mentorship.
Arlene Solá-Vargas: For over forty years we have shared joys and pains, triumphs and tragedies, and look at us! We made it. We made it in spite the circumstances, maybe even because of the circumstances. Thank you so much for your encouragement and for welcoming me into the family.
Adrian Techeira: My husssband. LOL! Never did I imagine that your Virgo-ness would come in handy. Thank you for your critical eye, your legal expertise, your support when I can’t operate at one hundred, the house that is now a home, and the love that is now bonded and witnessed. Thank you.
Charles, Marcus, and Victoria Thompson: One realist. One learner. One dreamer. Thank you for your undying encouragement, trusted friendship, and for choosing me to be part of your family. I’m eternally grateful.
Crystal Waterton: You, whose diapers I changed. And now you are a grown woman and creating the most brilliant of art. I can’t wait until the world learns what I already know: you are one of the most brilliant filmmakers around. Make. Your. Art. Sis!
David Wells: You have been like a true brother to me, helping me feel whole when I feel like I could fall apart, checking on me when the days are too long and the nights are troubled. I know now what they mean when they say “brother’s keeper.” Thank you.
To the Janklow & Nesbit Associates team, Ian Bonaparte and Zoe Nelson, and the G. P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Books USA team, Joel Breuklander, Brennin J. Cummins, Ivan Held, Christopher Lin, Ashley McClay, Katie McKee, Emily Mlynek, Gabriella Mongelli, Vi-An Nguyen, Nishtha Patel, Anthony Ramondo, Amy Ryan, Alexis Welby, and the entire Putnam sales team: You helped me pull a lifelong fantasy out of the ether and into the material world. Your commitment and teamwork is inspiring. My gratitude is never ending. Thank you.
To my blood and chosen family, who have seen me at the beginning, through my tribulations, and into my triumphs—you have been my solid ground and I love you deeply: Khadeem D. Wilson, Khadijah I. Wilson, Sandra Benjamin, Alfred Benjamin, Jr., Shahaira Davy, Justin O. Christopher, Orlando J. Davy, Jr., Sheronda Benjamin, Lenice Smith, Kayin Davy, Errol Waterton, Orlando Davy, Sr., Melissa Barnaby Hernandez, Christian Alcazar, Chastity Hernandez, Angel Bright, LaFawn Davis, Hilda and David Sola, Sr.; Eduardo Sr., Eduardo Jr., Isabella, and Daniel Vargas; David Jr., Laurie, and Olivia Sola; Tron Jr., Taina, Destiny, and Terrence Jones-Bosse, Julian and Milagros DeJesus, Dorothy, Simon, Nneka, Nya, and Jordyn Spence; Tiffany, Lole Sr., Lole Jr., Rowan, and Ivan Techeira, Jennifer Jacinto, and Tina Honeycutt; Beth, Tara, and Matthew Benjamin-Botas; Dawn Benjamin and Anthony Purge, Darlene Horton, Dawn Horton and family, Jimmie Horton and family, LaMont Horton and family, Renee, Cameron Jr., and Cameron Kelly, Dondria, Gary, and Ty Gadsden; Elena, Raquel “Mama Rock,” and Howard “Pop” Pinderhughes; my Jones aunts: Angela, Laverne, Mallie, Mary, and Rita; My Jones cousins: Cheryl, Christine, Christopher, Daniel, Eric, Ebony, Elijah, Isiah, Jacob, Jamal, Jason, Jordan, Joshua, Justin, Kelly, Lashawn, Michael, Monae, Sean, Shauna, Stephanie; Lester Wint, Shannette Duncan-Wilson and family, Nicole Wilson, Starr Lester and family, Keesha Peets and family, James Peets and family, Scooner, Glenn, and Deena McCray and family, Willie “DJ Ill Will (Your Wifey’s Favorite DJ)” White, Daniella “DAN-NELA” White, Octavia “Tay” Davison, William “Goddy” White, Jr., Rashawn “Red” White, Quincy “Penguin” White, Kimora “Whoop De Whoop” Simon, Summer “Zibba Zobba” Simon, Ashley “Ash Cash” Saint Louis, Reina Monserate, Scorpio Simon, and the entire Davison and White families, Michelle and Dream Holder, Tanya Edwards; Songhai, Glenn, Caleb, Kendi, Eli, and Taylor Deveaux; Karen and Joe McCord, Lori Petty, Anaya McLaurin, Stephanie Acevedo-McCardle-Blunk, Miles Law, Paula Bryant (Brion), Margaret Prescod, Chanda and Kevin Hsu Prescod-Weinstein, Mary, Cheryl, Wanda, Felicia Diane, and Dawn Carpenter; Baldwin the cat, all the Benjamins, Betheas, Denmarks, Gaineses, Hines, Joneses, and Wilsons. Thank you.