MY LOVE LETTER TO YOU: "You are only as good as your last show." That has continued to drive me to not live on past accomplishments but to prove my current worth over and over again. My crew often hear me say that I'm working to stay relevant. After 26 years writing poetry, 24 years performing, and 22 years hosting staying relevant is a humbling and a constant thought because it's so easy to become stale, bitter, and entitled. I don't want that for me. This Sunday, the last HomeBase Poetry night, cemented not just the legacy of HomeBase Poetry but was a testament to the loving hearts of this Arizona community that adopted me so long ago. It was absolutely beautiful. Over 600 FRIENDS were in the house from every walk of life and I got to see all of my worlds collide in one place for one night for the first time. Fatherhood, coparent, son, Greek family, Masonic, LegalShield, Ghana, HIV/AIDS work, Chicago, OKC, Dallas, New York, Bahai, Islam, Christian, vegetarian, KEYS Camp, ASU, POPs, youth work, the Commish, Avondale, Estrella Mountain, A luta, Poetry Penthouse, Unspoken Word, Enigma, and more. Literally every aspect of my life was in the house and I am still reeling from the best and most successful event I have ever helped orchestrate. Thank you all for always supporting my ambitious goals and lofty ideas, not for the last 10 years with HomeBase Poetry but for the last 40 years I have been on this earth. This is not a death but an evolution. I am honored to know you all. I apologize for the people I forgot to thank. I apologize to everyone I didn't get to spend time with on Sunday. I wish I could have. So many old friends. Everyone was happy, joyful, and every performer BROUGHT THAT HEAT!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing me to serve you and for feeding my soul in response. To the founders of HomeBase Ricquia Ross, Lisa Morrow, and Anthony Haskins: you saw this before it even existed, when it was just an idea. You never doubted me and never needed an explanation. You three simply said 'ok' and we had a show. I love you to my core. To the current team: Tomás J. Stanton, Drea Shannon, Gary Jenkins, Phyllis Coprich, Hawa Osman, Arianna Jones, and our girl Naj: thank you for rolling with me, for having my back, rocking with the ups and downs and never faltering. I honor you all. Leah Marche your flyers MADE HOMEBASE DOPE!!! You made us professional and something to see and you did it for love above all else. I can't thank you enough. To my wise counsel Angela Ware, Paris Toon, Stanley Taylor, Alan Powell, Mike Jones, Cheryl Lynn Jones, Cloves Campbell, The Arizona Informant, Camilla Westenberg, Heggs Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Warren J. Brown, Darnell Self, Traci Self, The Real Team NuVision and Calvin Terrell: you honor me with your advice and patience. I fall short but you hold me up and let me know if I'm on the wrong path. Fatimah Halim you started us with libation and ended us with a beautiful prayer. Throughout, because of your wisdom, we gained permission from the ancestors for every show. Thank you. Clearly my family, friends and loved ones. You already know. To the Arizona Black community: we are DOPE. We are incredible and no matter the obstacles we keep winning. Thank you make us your home. To the HomeBase citizens: you keep our doors open for 10 years. You laughed at my bad jokes and even got on the mic. Respect. To those who wanted to do more but struggled to attend: thank you for sending great energy and through your word of mouth giving us a great reputation and making us one of the biggest poetry sets in the country. The Phoenix poetry scene, I'm so blessed to be a part of this community. You have been there to spit from day one. I can't even go through all the names. You know what's up. Current poet event hosts: thanks for linking arms with me. I know the community is taken care of: Christopher Owens, Qosmic Qadence, Ken Kong, Robert FlipSide Daniels, Dominique S. Flagg, Serena Richardson and to any others I missed, my apologies. I'm saying all this to say THANK YOU. SUNDAY WAS DOPE. I AM HIGH FROM THE LOVE. IF I FORGOT YOU FORGIVE ME. I CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE THE NEXT STEP WITH YOU ALL. #newbook#newpodcast#newfocus#newseminars#newnonprofit#timetoteach#nextphase#whoscomingwithme#jerrymcguiremoment#kindofhype#lockerroomspeech#timetolevelup#succeedanyway#stillservingAlways your loyal host, HB StAY TUNED
