I grew up a fatherless African-American boy in Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood where George Washington once lived. The streets were filled with the War on Drugs, and I spent 54 years of my life navigating that reality and trying to survive it.
When COVID came, it took almost everything from me—my life as I knew it, my relationships, and eventually my mother. I went through a psychological storm and fell into addictions with alcohol and cigarettes while trying to understand what my life had become.
Somewhere in that darkness, I began writing. At first it was just a way to keep my mind together and remember the sacrifices it took to survive the streets and the battles of my life. But as I kept writing, I realized something important: I didn’t just have a talent for writing—I had a talent for surviving.
From that pain and recovery I created a storytelling form and company called Poetic Cinema, turning my experiences into art, books, and a living archive of memories.
I grew up a fatherless African-American boy in Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood where George Washington once lived. The streets were filled with the War on Drugs, and I spent 54 years of my life navigating that reality and trying to survive it.
When COVID came, it took almost everything from me—my life as I knew it, my relationships, and eventually my mother. I went through a psychological storm and fell into addictions with alcohol and cigarettes while trying to understand what my life had become.
Somewhere in that darkness, I began writing. At first it was just a way to keep my mind together and remember the sacrifices it took to survive the streets and the battles of my life. But as I kept writing, I realized something important: I didn’t just have a talent for writing—I had a talent for surviving.
From that pain and recovery I created a storytelling form and company called Poetic Cinema, turning my experiences into art, books, and a living archive of memories.
Thank you to everyone that attended the live last night. My hope is you walked away with some new ideas and realized the work you are currently doing impacts more people than you think.
I grew up a fatherless African-American boy in Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood where George Washington once lived. The streets were filled with the War on Drugs, and I spent 54 years of my life navigating that reality and trying to survive it.
When COVID came, it took almost everything from me—my life as I knew it, my relationships, and eventually my mother. I went through a psychological storm and fell into addictions with alcohol and cigarettes while trying to understand what my life had become.
Somewhere in that darkness, I began writing. At first it was just a way to keep my mind together and remember the sacrifices it took to survive the streets and the battles of my life. But as I kept writing, I realized something important: I didn’t just have a talent for writing—I had a talent for surviving.
From that pain and recovery I created a storytelling form and company called Poetic Cinema, turning my experiences into art, books, and a living archive of memories.
I grew up a fatherless African-American boy in Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood where George Washington once lived. The streets were filled with the War on Drugs, and I spent 54 years of my life navigating that reality and trying to survive it.
When COVID came, it took almost everything from me—my life as I knew it, my relationships, and eventually my mother. I went through a psychological storm and fell into addictions with alcohol and cigarettes while trying to understand what my life had become.
Somewhere in that darkness, I began writing. At first it was just a way to keep my mind together and remember the sacrifices it took to survive the streets and the battles of my life. But as I kept writing, I realized something important: I didn’t just have a talent for writing—I had a talent for surviving.
From that pain and recovery I created a storytelling form and company called Poetic Cinema, turning my experiences into art, books, and a living archive of memories.
Such a rich and wonderful conversation. I will make sure I’m going deeper in my podcast
Loving these conversations. Keep them coming!
Thank you to everyone that attended the live last night. My hope is you walked away with some new ideas and realized the work you are currently doing impacts more people than you think.
Excited for this!