I extend my deepest thanks to Vanessa Willoughby for her keen editorial insight and championship of my work, and to Mary Ann Rivers and Ruthie Knox for their ingenuity, patience, and kind support! I’m very proud to have my dear friend Crystal White’s artistic excellence grace the cover. A big thank-you also goes to Amina Cain and Itiyopiya Ewart for their early reads of the book, and to Nikki Giovanni and Kwame Alexander for their radiant kindness and generosity. Innumerable thanks to my parents, Raymond and Beverly Collins, my brother Steve, cousin Victor, and all the other scintillating stars in my orbit who I have the privilege to call friends.
