Under The Umbrella

Believe it or not finding my one inspiration was a daunting task because as an artist myself I find inspiration in all I cross paths with. The hunger and passion I see is motivation enough. The growth between interactions from those I have come to know simply through the art. It touches my heart in such a way I had to share. First thing that came to mind were all of the writers and poets I know, having a connection made it was easiest especially with shared passion. There was already an understanding considering how highly we revered the written word. Every writer’s first love was a pen. Giving nothing but adoration and love to all of the beauty that music brings without having to be a creator within the craft. It has been humbling to meet musicians who write lyrics, as well as those that play instruments stimulate that euphoric part of mind. Pulling you inside of their heart and mind only to create its intended back drop of admiration. Broadening the scope, on the artists that have inspired. Many came to mind, scanning through the many that I have watched blossom either in person or through online platforms. From sketch artists to sculptors and painters that know there is a certain something that brings us all to life when we see, touch and feel their work deeply. From the owner and founder of Karibu book store in Iverson Mall to a woman I worked with in a mall for two years sharing stories of how we would one day make it. We all share this driving force of emotion. Therefore, several black creators and innovators came to mind when I sought out the perfect candidate of inspiration

What stood out about both women is how even in the beginning with only fragments of detail knew what was soon to come. My friend that worked with me at the mall spoke of how she loved to do nothing more than to cultivate local city areas with fresh produce. She farmed with her grandfather as a child in Virginia. While she often spoke of that I spoke of becoming a New York Times bestselling author. Though I am very much still at work she has blossomed and flourished in her craft as an entrepreneur and Non Profit Developer, providing resources, fresh food, greener air and even a chance to come out and learn how to grow your very own fresh produce with upcycled items. I have had the pleasure of following her along her path witnessing its growth. She was able to set up funding and gather other likeminded individuals to develop inner city land in Baltimore where they grow fresh produce while teaching others that may not know about it how easy and cost efficient it is to grow your own. Outside of those obvious details as to why she stood out as an innovator and creator. It was the growth I saw in her a person that was truly inspiring. She began meditating and becoming sort of a life coach along her path giving peace and a sense of tranquility to any who doubted themselves. As a young and hopeful writer with no direction the owner of Karibu was not only kind but forth bringing about the direction I should go to become published. She was beyond more than willing to put my first book in her store but was welcoming to her community of African American writers and authors. It was empowering to not only be apart of it but to watch a powerful woman manifest greatness while pulling all should could. She was a mix between Langston Hughes and Harriet Tubman, Freeing the minds of our people through enlightenment and the written word. Her path has had its storms but she has continued to strive and be one my daily motivations. She too started out a writer, working on novels while helping to push promote and strengthen friends and family within the craft. This set fire through the local urban areas of the District. You could see her anywhere in the city setting up tables full of not just her own publications but several authors across DC Maryland and Virginia. It was then and there a community of writers was created.

This gathering of creators made sense considering we shared similar love for the written word. As do most writers we fancy the feeling of opening a good book to completing a poem, short story or novel. The building anticipation, the smell of the pages, the excitement of how a plot thickens or poet that creates an inward reflection for their readers. An emotion that led most of down the field of writing. There were several Journalist, Bloggers, Editors, screen play writers, Graphic Novel Writers whose story of triumph has pushed me to believe. But how could I dare write about the creator of word and not mention the beautifully detailed art work of the Illustrators or Sketch artists? What about the graphic designers that have not only helped the artists edit sketches or photographers capture timeless errorless photographs. We are all connected in passion, support and love. One hand washes the other. As a colleague and dear friend was kind enough to design many a book covers of mine or direct me to other artists needing services. We are all artist and every last one of you that I have been blessed to meet has inspired, too greatly to pick just one. Instead, I will say this to all of my Black Creators and Innovators pay it forward and you too will enter a circle of admiration, appreciation, respect, strength and support amongst each other that you too be inspired.