Help Alex Be Great in NYC

“I come to you hungry and tired. You give me food and let me sleep. I come to you weak. You give me strength and that's deep.”

That DMX person was on to something.

The life of a literary homothug is turbulent. There are Janet highs and La Toya lows, peaks, valleys, Beyoncés and Kitty Prydes (http://bit.ly/1bmelA0). It’s often said that it takes an artist their entire life to create their best album, but after just thirty carousel rides around the sun, I reckon I’m ready bust these Black boy wishes and writerly dreams open for the world to see. In my attempts to be less terrible, I’m getting out of my own way and working like hell to harvest these ideas from the cluttered pages of my notebook(s) and turn them into more than lofty goals and shoulda-coulda-wouldas. Which is where you come in.

From my humble beginnings on MySpace, to my graduation ceremony at The Colored Boy, to my snarky contributions at SoulBounce, to reaching EBONY, Gawker, The Grio, Very Smart Bros., OZY, Huffington Post, and others, you, my homiereaderfriends, have been in my corner. Through the bright moments, the time zone hopping and the laughable inconsistency. Smearing vaseline on my face and squirting water in my mouth between rounds, willing me to victory. You gave me the courage to unleash my unique brand of truth and remained patient with me as I navigated through self-doubt, discovering and honing my creative voice in the process.

However, every cycle reaches its conclusion and it’s time for me to take the next step in my writing career by relocating to New York City, the land of milk, honey, and kale-flavored gentrification. So spoilers aside, the rumors are true. I’m moving on up to that big, deluxe apartment in the sky the Jeffersons abandoned oh so long ago. Or trying to, rather.

There are countless opportunities available to me that, due to my current residence in 1998, Virginia (aka Hampton), I am unable to take full advantage of. Since I don’t have a fleet of drug pushers working for me, It’s hard to make it happen in New York from afar. Prospective employers want you to interview today and start tomorrow.

There, I have face-to-face contact with creatives, gatekeepers and check signers. There, I have fellowship, resources and endless inspiration. There, extravagant food and opportunities await. Opportunities that will take me to the next level in my career. Opportunities that could lift me from cold, lonely, chickenless nights into the life of (chicken) abundance that I know I deserve. The speaking engagements are trickling in. I’m being invited to participate in shows, nerdy/awesome (ad)ventures, and other events (http://on.fb.me/1HNW79W). My "Colored Boy and Friends" series has been successful thus far, so much so that I have plans to expand it to Atlanta, OneoftheCarolinas, DC, Chicago, HoustonAustinDallas, New Orleans, and Los Angeles in the fall and spring. Oh, and since you asked, I’m kicking off more writing workshops (like this: http://bit.ly/1KZFVmy) over the summer as well. I’m trying to get it poppin, ho.

Aside from launching a podcast and hunting down writing and speaking opportunities, one of the projects I’ll be taking on upon arrival to New York is the development of a food show situation extravaganza. An extravaganza that will allow me to share my [something waaaay more intense than 'deep'] appreciation for and obsession with food with the masses. Not a day passes in this mean ol’ post-Vandross society that doesn’t entail at few least a handful of tags, tweets, wall posts, and IG mentions about a legendary lasagna, majestic roti, thigh-expanding sweet splendor or some other delicious/grandiose/soul-comforting high-calorie goodness that I must try and/or opine on. And so, it’s time to take over ze world, one cooking segment and restaurant kitchen tour at a time.

The journey to now ain’t been no crystal stair. I make no secret of the struggles I’ve worked through in the past year (http://bit.ly/1HO3C0C) since leaving Panama. It hasn’t all been easy, pretty or fun, but I’ve found comfort and community in this transparency. I'm feeling like myself again. Finally. Above all else, I am thankful to finally feel worthy and capable and ready for all that lies ahead. Now that the fog has retreated, I’m itching to escape 1998 and make magic in the Land of CatRats and 24-hour chicken spots.

But again, I need your help in making these dreams, these aspirations, and these glorious bowls of sugarless grits, a reality. Upon arrival, I plan to hit the ground running, pouncing on a few waiting offers for employment, collaboration and creative assistance. Your gracious donation (however small or large) will help me relocate, settle, and begin work on my podcast, food show, and Colored Boy and Friends Tour. Even if you can't assist, simply sharing this among your network(s) would help a great deal. I’ve never (intentionally) steered you into wackness and have no intention to do so now.

You're so pretty,

Alexander Hardy, Negro Extraordinaire
www.thecoloredboy.com

(Or, if you prefer paypal: [email redacted])