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!

Let's see those logos... and if you don't have one yet, describe how you want your logo to look!

We are proud to officially recognize the active PBI State & Country Chapters (and the Chapter Leaders) that are currently meeting monthly and doing the work! 🔥 Oregon - @La Toya Hampton 🔥 Jamaica - @Kacy Garvey 🔥 Texas - @Joshua Clark 🔥 Georgia - @Yecheilyah Ysrayl These chapters and their leaders are gathering consistently, building community, sharpening strategy, and transforming poets into Poetry Business Owners. If you are in a chapter that isn’t currently active and you want to see it revived — let us know. We’ll support you in getting it back up and running. If you are in a state or country that doesn’t yet have a local chapter and you feel called to launch one — let us know. We are ready to help you lead. Chapters are how we: • Build local opportunity • Create accountability • Develop leaders • Increase visibility • Strengthen the global PBN network This isn’t just a network. It's a structure. It's a movement. It's an ownership model. Drop your state or country below 👇 and/or message us directly if you’re ready to lead. Let’s keep building. 🌎✍🏾

Yesterday the pastor of global ministries at my church invited me to share poetry for one of the global meetings via zoom‼️

👋🏾 First, Happy Black History Month ya’ll! 😃 Next, poets, if you're in the Georgia area, our next chapter meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. EST on Zoom. Come hang out with us and share your updates. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YlqSuhzuSTe5AaM-ega9tQ#/registration