Boom Boom Vs The Quickness

Theme: Show & Tell – Tenx9 Nashville – Douglas Corner Cafe – Nashville The set up that wasn’t recorded was this: After nearly a decade working in the criminal justice system as a mental health/substance abuse counselor, I needed a break. The year was 1999. So, some crazy people at Laurel High School in Knoxville […]

Among homelessness and drugs, Shadid Muhammad found himself and a purpose when he found art

Originally posted on Neat Nashville:
Ashshahid Muhammad, 39, originally from Memphis, grew up in the streets for many years, before eventually finding himself through art. At the age of 13, Shadid, as most call him, was involved in a robbery. He was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison but only served six. He…

My Plea to My White Friends and Family in South Carolina

If you are friends with me IRL or online, my political leanings are not in anyway hidden or tamped down. They rarely have been. I’ve been opinionated and passionate about politics for almost forty years (true story). There are many of you who do not agree with me politically about very much. Typically, we just […]

What Twitter Taught Me About The Charleston Shootings

Originally posted on The Boeskool:
Last night, nine people died while worshiping in church. The church was Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest black congregations in the country. An unknown man, described as a white man in his early 20’s wearing a hoodie, went into their Wednesday night prayer service, prayed with them…

I Remember: The Understory

Originally posted on Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling:
Raise a glass In remembrance of Fire and strip poker and getting away with it, The parents that raised you and the parents that gave you life. Here’s to forest floors and downtown bars To women and their stories, The defiantly political and the depth of the personal. Those…

I Remember How I Became A More Compassionate Activist

Last night, Tenx9 Nashville hosted nine storytellers in Nashville, sharing around the topic: I Remember. This is my contribution. *I consulted the Oracle (Google)and discovered that Gloria Steinem isn’t the origin of the phrase “the personal is political.” I did say I was late to feminism.

Jeannie Alexander – A Bee’s Dream

Originally posted on Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling:
At Tenx9’s “I Remember” night, Jeannie Alexander spun a masterful narrative about remembering her grandfather–his grace, words, and beekeeping.  I remember my grandfather’s smell. It is my first memory. My second memory is of being carried by my grandfather through his backyard. So carefully we considered the apple trees,…

Stories From the Streets of Nashville

A 5 year-old kid wandered in our office today. By himself. Saying he was hungry. We fed him from all the things we had brought for our own lunches. Our office is in the projects off Lafayette and yesterday I took a woman grocery shopping. She had fifteen dollars to spend for the next 7 […]

Raised Online – Self-Efficacy in the 5th Grade

This is not a post about the evils of children being online too much, or how dangerous it can be or even a post lamenting shorter attention spans and a lack of real-world adventure. This is a post about how my oldest son Riley has benefited from the internet in ways that were unthinkable when […]

Help Me Raise Money Cheeses!

Originally posted on Riley's Backpack:
I know no one is going to get the Cheesy amount, but I can try! All the info is on this website Link To Fundraiser