Acknowledgments
It amazes me that I’m writing “thank-yous” for my tenth novel. I never thought I’d get past number one; and if it wasn’t for you all, I wouldn’t have. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I hope you’ll enjoy On the Come Up as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I would like to thank God for all of His blessings, and my son, Rashaad Hunter, for being the best kid in the entire world. Linda Hunter, for you are the best mother a guy could ask for. Dr. Carolyn Rogers, for always encouraging me to reach for the stars. Carrie Moses, Sharon, Christina, Aaron and Moses Capers, Andrea and David, Trevor and Tyler Gilmore, BRITTANY GILMORE
, Lynette, James (Ray Ray), Barry Moses. Amado and Amari, Hunter and Ruth Rogers, Ron Gregg, Gervane Hunter, Ahmed, Ayinde, Shani, Jibade, Taylor and Sherry Johnson, my uncle Clifton Johnson, Mary and Willard Jones, Pam and Rufus, Monica (Imani) McCullough, Janera Jones, Nazarrah Rivera, Trina Broussard, Rolanda Wright, Katrina Leonce and all the Sisters Sippin’ Tea, and all of the wonderful book clubs who read my novels. Willie and Schnell Martin, Lakecia Griffin, my agent Sara Camilli, my editor Selena James, Mercedes Fernandez, Zane, and Melody Guy for getting this started and for setting the editorial bar very high from the start.
, Lynette, James (Ray Ray), Barry Moses. Amado and Amari, Hunter and Ruth Rogers, Ron Gregg, Gervane Hunter, Ahmed, Ayinde, Shani, Jibade, Taylor and Sherry Johnson, my uncle Clifton Johnson, Mary and Willard Jones, Pam and Rufus, Monica (Imani) McCullough, Janera Jones, Nazarrah Rivera, Trina Broussard, Rolanda Wright, Katrina Leonce and all the Sisters Sippin’ Tea, and all of the wonderful book clubs who read my novels. Willie and Schnell Martin, Lakecia Griffin, my agent Sara Camilli, my editor Selena James, Mercedes Fernandez, Zane, and Melody Guy for getting this started and for setting the editorial bar very high from the start.To all of the wonderful people who help run the Hearts of Men Foundation: Tammy Martin, Tonietta Wheatle, Richard Stewart, Alisa Jones, Lester Rivers III, Stefon Shilo, Jeff Cleveland, Terry Boyd, LaMont and Brandon McIntosh, Maurice Kelly, and all of the kids who keep us busy.
My industry folks: Jihad, Eric Jerome Dickey, Victoria C. Murray, Lolita Files, R.M. Johnson, Kendra Norma Bellamy, Carol Mackey, Chandra Sparks Taylor, Brian Eggeston, Nzingah, Oniwosan, Pearl Cleage, Tee Cee Royal, Tricia Thomas, Ruth Gadson, Kim and Will Roby, and Kannik Sky.
If I neglected to mention your name, charge it to my head not my heart.