Medasi (Thank You) 1/4/09

The flight home was 11 hours and 25 minutes. I slept most of the time. My exit from Ghana was swift. No tears fell from my eyes. As the plane approached JFK airport, we hovered like the dragonflies over the well at the Amoo house. There was too much traffic in the air. I wasn't mad. New York never looked so beautiful to me. On the ground, huge snakes of light slithering thru a cold and dark canyon of noise. I couldn't wait to hear it. Soon I'd be standing on the subway platform watching dirty rivers, rats, and smaller snakes of light burning into the metal rails. Ogun gleaming and barreling towards me. NYPD standing in front of the doors as they open. All I could do was smile. From the land of boys called "Bright" and girls called "Gift", White Jesus, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, and brown British folks ... I had made it home.

There is so much to do. Two queens left and two little ones came while I was away. Miriam Makeba, Eartha Kitt. I'm sure there are more. Akwaaba Ajani and Madison. I'm sure there are more. Rest well Reina and Alicia. Your loved ones will need your strength to help them thru this New Year. Sanai, Majesty, Saida, Asher, Nnamdi and Djali "Hey my boos!". ASE yall know it's on. This morning the twins slept girl, girl, boy, boy next to Akushia and her sisters. My parents, my man, my teachers, the Jerome Foundation Travel and Study Grant, the Future Aesthetics Artist Re-Grant, my communities in the Bay Area and Brooklyn made this happen. Kelly Tsai, Zakiya Harris, and Jennifer Archibald thanks for the love. To everyone I extend my sincerest gratitude for supporting this trip to Ghana. I will go back in the future. There is way too much to learn. It was the beginning of serious rites of passage in my life. I will work my hardest to do you proud.

Me and my teacher Robert Fugah.
(Accra, Ghana 2008)

Special Thanks to; Jill Crosby, Mr. Carlyle Leach, Harold Okyerema Akyampon, Robert (Kofi) Fugah, Portia Nana Amankwaah, Mr. Baba CK Ledzekpo, Kokou Katamani Soglo, Phil Atlakson, Dr. Willie Roscoe and Rene Whitaker, Barbara Whitaker, Lark Thomas, Linda Rapp, Jane Schisgal, Leon Pera, Sekou Alaje, Donna Lee McEwen, Devin Dougherty, Benjamin Rojas, Ana Bravo, Geraldine Chisolm (Ms. Gerry), Jamal Lucas, Woza Vega, Amara Tabor Smith, Michelle Sylvain, Askia Whitaker, Lealon Martin, Nicole Inabinet, Donna Rodgers (Aunt Dru), Amena Doss, Kevin Douglas, Bernard Remaud, Lonnie Harrington, Cecily Shores, Osei Wlliams, Nana Kodia Williams, Nana Hansa, Dr. Halifu Osumare, Dr. Anne Adams, Dr. Albirda Rose, Alicia Pierce, Brian Polite, Micah Lee, Mr. David Amoo, Obroni Amoo, Jacob Amoo, Godson Atsu Sokpor, Richard Ashiaku Amoo, Edmund Otu Amoo, Erinn Ransom, Asia Leeds, Goussy Celestin, Jovan Clay, Melana Lloyd, Sheila Akushia Amoo, Aisling Livsey, Joy Bell, JoiLynn, Kyle "Sanaqi" Smith, Guy and Petrina DeChalus, Courtney Killingsworth, Maria. E. Rivera, Kelly Seph White, Milton Jemmott, Amatus-sami Karim, Kevin Powell, Tajeme Sylvester, Olivia Malabuyo, Valerie Winborne, Sarah Baltazar, Sabia Pinheiro, Katherine Moore, and Mamie Scott.