She yelled, "Bitch!" just before something slammed into my head, glass shattered all over me, and I hit the ground.

At the time God was new to me. I’d known of Him before but this time was different. This was new. I was new.

At the time we were having trouble with some other girls.

Kendra and I walked to the community center.
There was a long line for tickets.
We were performing and were supposed to be back stage before the show began.

Part of our summer program includes hiring a “handyman.” The handyman’s role is to be a liaison between the staff and our program participants. Preferably, the handyman is a former — and reformed — gang member.

Yesterday we interviewed a young man.

He finished my sentences.

I asked, “Why do you want this—”

“Job?” he said.

“What qualifies you to work­­—”

“With gang members?” he said.

“I’m certified. I’ve been a gunman since my youth.” He paused. “On the streets, my reputation speaks for itself.”

Fifteen black and Latino men sat in a half circle, taking notes as I spoke about the core competencies demanded by street work.

"To build relationships with proven-risk, gang-involved youth, you must fulfill your promise." I thought about the boys, then continued. "If you commit to being involved in their lives, never promise anything you can’t deliver."

I quoted Fredrick Thrasher, the "Godfather of Gang Research."

Fashion is like Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, “Sunflowers.”

The painting expresses a characteristic style – “bold use of color and composition.” Likewise, fashion frames one’s persona – clothes, shoes, accessories, hair, and (even) cell phones paint a portrait.

Fashion, like art, varies depending on the artist.