This month, I’ll be finishing my tenure at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a decade since I started coming here, first competing at Rocky LaMontagne’s IPA Beat Battle, then eventually working the door for his shows. Years later, I’m leaving behind helping co-produce the Words and All That! events, DJing the world famous Nuyorican Friday Night Slam, and doing sound and DJing for Urbintel’s Verses, Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz, and Yerba Buena’s monthly show.

I’ve had mixed feelings about departing. I will miss the people that I’ve had the privilege to work with, the artists I’ve seen come through and inspire, and the opportunity that was given to a young man looking for his purpose. But at the same time, being a part of all the above is what moved me to pursue my own dreams, my own passions, and I move forward with a sense of excitement and healthy fear to make my long time desire to make films come true.

So I thank all the people that gave me a chance to make something of myself, that inspired me to continue my art, and that helped get me to this point. I thank the family and friends who’ve believed in me, and the tests I’ve endured in not only taking this step, but in truly becoming a man. I’ll end this with a few things I’ve learned, in the hopes that it helps someone in the same position I was a decade ago…

1) The three most important things you need are patience, assertiveness, and the ability to know when to use either.

2) Ask for help. No matter how good you are, you can get a lot more done when you have people you can rely on at your side.

3) Rest…rest…rest. It’s hard to pursue your dreams if you’re burnt out. Make time for youself.

4) Respect the past. Dream for the future. Live in the now.

5) Opportunity helps drive dreams. Pass the opportunity you’ve been given to the next generation.

Peace, love and respect to everyone trying to make something of themselves. It’s never too late to start, and always too early to give up.