i'd like to send a special note of thanks to Rev. Keisha J. Agard and all of my new friends at the First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix, AZ, under the leadership of Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., one of the coolest Pastors i've met on my many travels. Any Pastor who'll sport a ball cap to work is a-okay in my book. that grassroots philosophy was all over the church, and innovation was the order of the day.
i came to FIBC to perform my one-man play, "HOW BLAK KIN EYE BEE?" it was a special, dinner-and-theatre presentation. this was the first time i'd done my show in that environment, they served black-eyed peas, yams, mac and cheese, etc, so you know i was worried about the "itis." (if you don't know, ask a black person). so i kicked things into high gear and we had a blast!
i'm sending a shout out to the tech staff at the church, the food ministry (Lawd, i devoured my plate as soon as i got back to the hotel!) and of course, Pastor Keisha. you rocked. thank you all for having the courage to bring "How Blak" into the church. it was very well received and i hope that discussions will continue from here on based on the many characters you saw on the stage that night.
i'm so blessed that God has allowed me to share these gifts with people. because i've been consumed with producing for radio, writing on a screenplay and another screenplay, "How Blak" has been on a shelf for a while. it came back night before last, and i remembered, deeply, why i love to share souls with people all over. who knows, maybe i'll end up in your city one day before long. until then, i'll keep dreaming out loud.
please, do the same.
