Notes on Beyoncé’s “CHURCH GIRL” — Although I was born in New York, I spent most of my childhood in Maryland. My mom and I spent a few years in Baltimore before moving to Columbia, a community right between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. …

A Black Kid’s Ode to Kid Cudi — Happy to see how far I’ve come To the same place it began My dreams and imagination Perfectly at peace So I move along a bit higher – Up Up & Away, Kid Cudi In July 2016, I pulled up to the Divide Music Festival in Winter Park, Colorado, having…

How two of hip-hop’s vets continue to shape my love for rap music — Growing up Black in the United States, I don’t feel like I ever had an experience of discovering hip-hop; more so, I feel like it happened to me. It was ingrained in the way my people spoke, how we dressed, the way we accessorized our cars, and even how we…

The Barbie Movie, Ken & “I am Kenough” — Kash called me asking where I was going. Hurriedly, I said, “I’ll text you,” as I tried to leave the airport bathroom as quickly as possible. At the baggage carousel in John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Kash and my coworkers were waiting for their suitcases. I mistakenly left mine 500…

What The Bear’s Marcus Episode Taught Me about Openness — Everyone has been talking about FX’s The Bear. And rightfully so. It’s a phenomenal show. I don’t watch much scripted television these days. The world is hard enough to keep with. But I also want to be a part of the conversation. So I’ll usually skip the first season of…

Denver Nuggets are the 2023 NBA Champions — Commitment is often used to describe marriage or some big life decision. Well, you know that’s quite a commitment? Commitments are made to feel daunting because of what they require. Sacrifice, compromise, trust, patience, grace, and, of course, love. I’m married. I’m a homeowner. I’ve signed offer letters for different…

Christianity, Capitalism & The Problem With Sacred Duties — “I refuse to take this for granted,” I posted on Instagram after one of the Sunday mornings when I drove an hour from Elon to Raleigh to go to church. That Sunday, I brought a friend who professed his faith in Jesus Christ during the service. I made this trip…

And we love the drama! — The NBA is drama, and I’ve always been drawn to its most dramatic players. Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue. Carmelo Anthony as “Hoodie Melo.” Everything J.R. Smith has ever done, including but not limited to him throwing soup on a coach and going permanently shirtless after winning his first…

On boygenius, Friend Crushes & Being Known — The radio display reads, “Homiesexual.” Daniel Caesar’s name rests underneath. “Wild title,” Koku replies to J.T.’s photo. Before I understood the song from NEVER ENOUGH, Caesar’s latest album, as being a “non-judgmental” judgment of his ex’s choices since being with him, I imagined what I hope is a more expansive…