Community Will Save Us
That one time my friends came to celebrate me in Philly and reminded me of what community is really all about. A love letter.




And then all of a sudden,
I was seated in
And surrounded by
So much love
And I knew this is where I wanted to stay
I put out the call a few months ago, July,
For my beloveds to come to Philly to be with me for the play that was based on my book
‘The Are We Free Yet Project’
And when the day arrived
That beautiful October afternoon and evening in Philly
So did so many of my wonderful friends
So many bodies to hug tight
So many hands to hold
So many cheeks to kiss
You all have been my lifeline. Especially this year. Did you know?
Even though our time together was so very short
Just a few hours on a Friday and a Saturday and a Sunday
My heart was filled to overflowing. It almost stopped a hundred times this year. Did you know?
You didn’t wait for a wedding or a funeral,
Or a graduation or a birthday,
Just a modest 50 minute, community theatre, elevated stage reading
And me
You had no idea what to expect
But you came anyway
You came all this way just to say I love you
You have no idea how much my arms needed to wrap around these humans that I have missed and loved over these past many years
For so many of you to come together
Some who knew each other
Others who had only heard of the others
And some were completely new to each other
But for those few hours
We all came together to love on each other
And every single heart was touched
No one left without being poured into in some way
‘We were together. I forget the rest.’ Walt Whitman
And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt
That this is love
This is community
Showing up for one another
Saying yes when asked if you will come
Calling another friend and saying, ‘let’s go’
Buying the flights
Making arrangements for the kids and at the job
And walking up to the door and knocking
Standing up and clapping
Laughter that travels as well as makes my stomach hurt in the best way
Each of you are some of my very best and favorite medicine
How did you know how much I wanted and needed each and every one of you?
Do you know how much I adore you?
Do I tell you enough?
You each are my fantasy.
You have expanded my heart in countless ways.
You have exceeded my capacity for joy.
You have cried with me.
You have held me close.
We have made love.
We have so much more love to make.
What a wondrous thing we share.
Call it what you want.
I’m so thankful I have you,
For as long as we both say so.
May we make as many memories as we can until then.
And let’s not give them back.
I will forever remember your smiles.
Thank you for imprinting on my heart.
And for journeying with me thus far.




I’m so thankful for these humans who came to celebrate and have a joyful time with me!
Isaiah, my oldest nephew and Joshua’s oldest brother, flew in from Dallas
Colleen flew in from Oregon
Amina and Coco flew in from Panama
Nandi and Shaun flew in from Florida
Kim drove in from Jersey
Nicole flew in from Ohio
Pleasance and her daughter drove in from DC
Tsani flew in from Atlanta
Nicki drove in 11 hours from South Carolina
CJ drove in by way of Costa Rica
Maribeth drove in from New York
Vanessa flew in from London…to surprise me
And Gabi, and Philly, hosted all of us
Philly, you owe us nothing




I’ve been in love so many times
And even with all the heartbreaks
It is these moments of love
That make all of it worth it.
I love you all.
“Without community, there is no liberation” - Audre Lorde
A beautiful and memorable weekend. ❤️