There are so many people I have to thank for the thirty-three years it took to write this book. Here goes.
To my best friends (I have several, lol) Preston, Storm, Rojan, and Ben. Thank you for always supporting my efforts. For wiping the tears away, being the shoulder to lean on, and always reminding me not to lose myself in the work and to take time to enjoy it. You all are truly more important to me than you know, and I cherish our relationships.
To my line brothers from the Spring ’06 line of Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., thank you for showing me brotherhood. Thank you for showing me friendship. Thank you for always picking up when I call. Y’all in the book so I don’t need to say much here, lol.
A special thank-you to the brothers of Gamma Chapter as well. There are TOO many of y’all to name but know that I appreciate every relationship I have built with all of you. Y’all keep me humble and grounded.
To “The Fam”: Trenise, Caressa, Myra, Patrice, Sherie, Darius, Alex. My friend group from college. It’s been beautiful taking this journey with all of your support.
To “The Village”: Gabe, PJ, D’Ontace, Twiggy, Reynaldo, and Kahlib. My Black queer friends in the work, who have become my family. Y’all are my brothers and I love each of you so strongly.
Thank you, Andrew, Jourdain, Corey, Maurice, and Zay for just being amazing friends and supporters in my life. Thank you, Rachel and Amanda, for also being great friends and providing support.
Thank you, Hari, for being the best writing partner and friend anyone could have. Thank you, Britni Danielle, for helping me break into this industry and showing me the ropes. Thank you, Mason, for being a great friend who has been with me daily through every step of this process. Thank you, Fred, for all you do for me and so many others. Thank you, Guy, for everything.
Thank you to my book agent, Eric Smith. You gave me the opportunity to write the story that I’ve always wanted. Thank you to everyone in the FSG family, especially Elizabeth Lee, Molly Ellis, Mary Van Akin, Hayley Jozwiak, and Kerry Johnson. Thank you, Joy, for taking a chance on a story that needed to be told. And to my editor, Grace! This editing process has definitely been a journey, but I have finally written the book I needed and always wanted to write, and I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks to Charly Palmer for the gorgeous cover art, and to Cassie Gonzales for designing the book.
For my family, y’all are all up in the book so I’m a keep it short here, lol. Thank you to my siblings, Tonya, G.G., Garrett, and to my niece, Brittany. Thank you to my aunts Sarah, Munch, Crystal, Audrey, and Darlene. Thank you, Uncle and Uncle Bobby. Thank you to my cousins Rall, Rasul, Justice, Bernard, Justin, Rick, Kourtney, and Kennedy. Thank you, Mommy and Daddy. Thank you, Grandma.
And most importantly, thank you, Nanny.