Hey Imani A., I mean… look at you go. And this isn’t even a play on anything. You’ve been so damn bold and look at just how beautiful the experiences you’ve had.
Almost reminiscent of the giant slide into the Nile. I am proud of you. Your uncle keeps saying, “Huyo sio league yenu 🤣🤣.” He isn’t wrong. Dude at 27, you have not only run programs within the region but also globally. You’ve placed a bet on yourself and you’ve had some of the most rewarding moments ever. Mt. Kenya. What were you high on, hahahaha!!
From that kid who didn’t give a hoot about any kind of sport to finding adventure and freedom in the expanse of mountains and beautiful gorges and filling his lungs with crisp mountain air to rafting on the longest river in the world. Taking the path that perhaps some of your ancestors did; cause you’re royalty. You bleed purple. You’ve taken bets on yourself that have panned out great. You’ve gone on adventures. You’ve had so many firsts 🤣🤣 and there’s plenty more firsts to come. You’re such a cute champagne drunk too. Those bubbles do get you hard and you have learnt a thing or two about pairing your wine and have developed a delectable palette that now features oysters and fish eggs 😂😂😂
You love hard son. You really do. That is your super power. Love is unrequited and that has been a principle you have carried with you all along. You’ve made incredible friends across the globe as a result and they have consistently come through to cheer you on; to celebrate with you and to have a stake at this larger than life vision that you have for your life.
That’s what you do. You have the ability to command a room, and not just that, by the power of your authenticity and truth, you are able to invite others into a space where they can collaborate as freely. Sorta reminiscent of your church’s slogan, “connecting believers to each other and to God.” You not always have the solutions but you have brought together communities of global thinkers and doers who are radical agents of change in their own communities. You build those communities and tell their stories; most of which are tales of resilience and unprecedented opportunities and over all, beautiful impact all across and stories of changed lives. That sets you on fire. Altruism.
You’ve had different opportunities where you have reframed your sense of being. Your constant pursuit of knowledge has had you on the road less travelled and it’s been as scary and picturesque in equal measure. You’re a badass too!! Like, this beautiful, bold black man firm in his truth and creating the life that he wants for himself. Your journey has taught you to be kind to yourself and to actually harness in your creative energies into everything you have come to love so damn much; and the most beautiful aspect; being able to connect with people in such authentic ways and them being conduits of the blessings and miracles that have come to be a part of your daily.
You are the person that you think you are. Bold, brave, hella gorgeous and with such will to live and to do more than could have ever been and I am proud of you. You have barely scratched at the surface of that which you will be able to do in this world. In case you ever forget, come back to this to remind yourself of just how phenomenal a person you are.
This I know, that if I find myself in a place where the opinions and insecurities and fears of others govern my steps; that place is darkness. So step out in the light.” — Theodore Holmes.
28 on the 28th. Leading with gratitude would be the hallmark of the last two decades and change and while you continue to explore connections that you weren’t privy to, I pray that you will not lose sight of who you are, the blessing of community and the gift that is to love; even so, the wonder that is being so deeply loved.
