My favorite sign that spring has arrived. (Taken with Instagram at Lafayette Park)

Taken with Instagram at Charles H Wright Museum of African American History

Fred & JyO (Taken with Instagram at The Fillmore)

Watching Jane’s Addiction. (Taken with Instagram at The Fillmore)

Taken with Instagram at uDetroit Cafe

My Mom wanted me to apply to goto Cass Tech, but my heart was set on Denby. So I figured if I skipped the application process, she’d have no choice but to send me to my choice. Once again the lady and the universe out smarted me again.

We lived across the street from the Barr family for many years. Coach Barr just happened to be one of the De La Salle football coaches at the time. He an my mother conspired to get me into De La Salle, which had just moved to the suburbs into a larger facility. Hence, they were accepting a larger Freshman class for the first time. Needless to say, I felt powerless, pissed, scarred and intrigued all at the same time. To her credit she did give me an out by asking me to give it one year, then I could go somewhere else as a sophomore.

As always, I quickly got involved in school activities. I didn’t have many strong relationships at Hamilton Middle School in Detroit since I had only been their for one year. The previous year, my parents divorced, so my usual academic tract was disrupted by spending the seventh grade in Madison Heights. Before that I was at what was then called Region Seven Middle School, which probably would have led me to Renaissance or Cass Tech originally. My friendships had dissolved, and my year back in the Detroit Public School system was another year of life changing adjustments.

My mothers decision to send me to De La Salle was genius. For some reason, I decided to join the Freshman football team, which helped me to make friends before the school year started. I knew nothing about football, but I think I thought it was an opportunity to reconnect with my father. That ended up being another life changing decision. My relationship with new friends and the school blossomed.

In many ways, I reinvented myself in high school. Besides football, I got involved in school play productions, where I always got a major role. I joined chorale, which eventually provided me an opportunity to go to Europe. I also realized there were so many all-girl high schools like Regina, Dominican, and Star of the Sea, that I wasn’t lacking for female friendships either. Hence, I ended up loving the fact that De La Salle differentiated me from the social norm in the circles I grew up within (i.e church).

I graduated from De La Salle in 1986. Many of my best friends today are Pilots themselves. The experience opened my eyes and mind to new worlds, and different ways of thinking. I learned how to be adaptable in sometimes hostile terrain, but was able to still find success. I am a prime example of the Catholic Christian Brothers at De La Salle living up to their motto “Builders of Boys, Makers of Men”. And while I don’t agree with Catholicism on many levels, and say many young men endure bullying while questioning their sexual orientation, staying at De La Salle was still one of the best decisions I ever made. It will always have a special place in my heart.

Thanks Mom, for always knowing what was, and still is best for me.

(Source: edline.net)

Prince Asa thinks he’s a cat. Sometimes I wonder, cause he’s way to clever. (Taken with Instagram at NoirAmerica)

The canine love of my life. A little white and black spotted Jack Russell Terrier called Prince Asa. Now twelve months old, and at-times acts like a cat. (Taken with instagram)

DETROIT, MI - Holiday In December is next Saturday, December 10 in magnetic black and copper.  Holiday In December is both a fundraiser and holiday celebration of our families, friends and community.  This event funds the following free programs and services offered by KICK: Receive & Restore, our health and wellness campaign; Learn & Live, our educational seminars; and Help & Heal, our faith based support group for HIV positive African-American men.  

Holiday In December will be held at First Congregational Church in the Albert Khan Hall located at 33 East Forest Avenue at Woodward Ave in Detroit’s cultural district.  The evening begins with a Patron Party at 5:00 and Gala at 6:00 pm. This event will be catered and features live holiday entertainment.  Radio and television personality Ingrid “Coco” Walters  is the guest mistress of ceremony.

This year we honor activist, poet and producer Johnny Jenkins, Jr.  Mr. Jenkins is the director of programs at the Ferndale based Affirmations Gay & Lesbian Center and former grant officer for Arcus Foundation located in Kalamazoo, MI.  He is also the co-founder of Hotter Than July! and creative director and founder of NoirAmerica Multimedia.  “I have been feeling the excitement in the community and can’t wait to see everyone in their fashionable magnetic black and copper!” says Jeremiah Jones, vice-president of KICK.  “The success of Holiday In December speaks to our community’s desire to come together and celebrate our authentic selves in an environment that is beautiful yet inviting.”

Purchase your tickets online at www.e-kick.org/holiday or mail your check or money order payable to KICK at 41 Burroughs, Detroit, MI 48231.  This is the nation’s largest sit-down dinner for LGBT African-Americans.

KICK - The Agency for LGBT African-Americans’ mission is to increase awareness of and support to Detroit’s dynamic LGBT culture through education and advocacy with integrity and pride.  Always visit us at www.e-kick.org.

Poet Omari King Wise performs in The EchoVerse during 2012 Noel Night Open Mic at Textures by Nefertiti in Willis Street District of Midtown Detroit.

(Taken with Instagram at Textures by Nefertiti).