In January 2020, a high school friend Josh and I got coffee, and I asked a terrifying question. “I just signed up for Improv class. I’m really, really nervous. What do I do?” Improv was far outside my comfort zone. I painted theatrical sets throughout college, but only once showed…

Last weekend while making breakfast, I saw a blue jay out the window as it landed on the driveway. A tape instantly started playing in my head. “Blue jays are bad. Bluebirds are good. …

George Zimmerman’s acquittal in 2013 took me to my first protest. At the time, I was one of few non-black participants, marching through downtown Atlanta, demanding justice for Trayvon Martin. Introverted at heart, I treasure quiet and restful weekends, but I knew that day that I had to march. As…

When Congressman John Lewis visited Harvard in 2017, he left us autographed copies of his graphic novel March. I knew exactly what to do with my copy. Putting it in the mail, I sent it to one of my former students Khoryel for her son Khobie. …

Clarity in the halo of COVID-19 — A few weeks ago, I volunteered at Thomasville Heights Elementary to pack lunches for families in the surrounding community. I was the only volunteer that day, working side-by-side with the Atlanta Public Schools employees keeping the distribution site open. …

A few weeks ago, I sat for over 4 hours in the Emergency Room. I was not sick — in fact, unlike everyone else in the ER that evening, I was there of my own choice and volition. As the evening unfolded, I saw families exchanging stories — some in…

In my first week of study abroad in Beijing, with a few semesters of Mandarin class under my belt, I got lost on the way back to my dorm room. I asked a slight young lady for help, and I expected her to respond with rapid-fire directions that I would…