Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my family (nuclear, extended, and in-laws) for their support. I would also like to thank Sabin Duncan, Kyr Mack, Phill Branch, Van G. Garrett, Nsayel Mputubwele, Kathryn DeShields, and The Whittington family for their encouragement of this project. Also, I would like to give a special thanks to a true friend and survivor, my “little sister,” Brandi Ray.

For all of you who have read and supported my work up to this point, thank you. Your feedback and enthusiastic word-of-mouth are truly appreciated, and I will be forever grateful.

Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my beautiful wife, Lauren, for her love and encouragement, and my lovely daughter, Zoë, who continues to amaze and inspire me.