It's been a bitter/sweet few days to say the least. The day before I flew to Kentucky to execute a now-successful poetry event for a client, I received a phone call informing me that my father, Bruce Jenkins Jr., was in the hospital here in Maryland and was in pretty bad shape, but stable. I flew out to Kentucky the next day (Friday) praying he'd still be with us when I returned. I made sure this was a very short trip (24hrs) so I could also see my 3 daughters perform in the Easter Sunday play at my home church, New Samaritan Baptist Church. I flew back on the earliest flight possible on Easter Sunday and got the chance to experience their brewing-greatness. However, shortly thereafter, I received a call from the hospital saying my father took a turn for the worse and we needed to make our way there. It would be our last chance. Fortunately, we got the opportunity to see him one last time, but, unfortunately, he passed away that evening. Although grieving, we've begun the homegoing planning process the next day (yesterday, Monday), but today is also my youngest daughter's 8th birthday. We've yet to tell the girls to shield them from having to deal with the rollercoaster of emotions we're dealing with at the moment given the two happy occasions I just mentioned just occurred and is currently occurring. We'll break it to them this coming weekend. While helping to plan the funeral, I'm also in the final planning stages of 2 back-to-back poetry events; one at South Carolina State University on this Thursday and the other here in DC at Howard University on Friday. Needless to say, I'm in a challenging place mentally, emotionally, and logistically. Usually, I don't post detailed posts like this; especially about the death of a loved one, but I thought it'd be, feel, and look weird (somewhat inappropriate) for me to continue enthusiastically posting and promoting about my events in a couple of days without sharing/mentioning the passing of my father. While I'm working my business, I'm also working through all of what I'm feeling. I'm ok... and I'll be ok. I just appreciate all of the condolences and support for our family during this tough time. Just know we are comforted in knowing that our earthly father is home with our heavenly Father... so all is well. Thank you all!

Where are the Texas Poets @ ⁉️ We're meeting via zoom tonight 7pm CST Can't wait to see you there It's time to take the next step in your poetry journey 🌹

Good Day, esteemed poets! ⌛This is your monthly reminder that our next meeting for the Georgia chapter is Tuesday evening at 7:30pm. Don’t miss this. Our members are doing some amazing work. 👉🏾Deanna Repose Oaks is your open mic extraodanaire. She is always doing great work behind the scenes. 👉🏾Sunday Jones has an upcoming event on April 18th. Learn more at inkbreathbars.com. 👉🏾Danela was just featured for Atlanta Films and TV, and on the Black Experience Podcast. Here are the links to support her for Youtube and Spotify: https://youtu.be/HdKA5LE3cPo https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wSsL4GsayBLccJJOTki4A?si=3W021KlKR8a9N4K9d3UOqA 🙋🏾‍♀️ And I just launched season 8 of my poetry contest and drafted a mass email to some organizations I hope to sponsor us, which I am sending as we speak. 🏃🏾‍♀️‍➡️So come through and share your wins, lessons, and questions. 👉🏾These are not just meetings; THIS IS FREE COACHING! Let’s go, people. See you soon. ♥️

🎉Please join me in congratulating our very own @Joshua Clark, also known as Roses, for joining the Judge’s panel of Yecheilyah’s Annual Poetry Contest‼️ 👉🏾Head over to Instagram and let’s show the power of this community by sending him some love! 🌹 @sculptedrosescompany

🎉Happy National Poetry Month!! 🥳 I'm sharing this here for all the poets out there who might be interested: We are pleased to announce that this year’s poetry contest is now open! Submissions will remain open until June 1, 2026. 🎙️Theme: “What We’re Carrying Now.” 🗣️This year’s theme centers on personal loss, collective memory, survival, endurance, and/or the emotional weight of living in today’s social and political climate. How are you processing, surviving, and making meaning of this moment in history? How to Enter: * Go to the website and read the rules. * Subscribe to the list. * Email your poem on or before 6/1. Be sure you are: * Following me on IG @yecheilyah * Following the contest @yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest 🔗yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org #NationalPoetryMonth ✍️🏾🎙️📚