I want to take a moment to say thank you and I appreciate you all for your support and patience!! Over the past few weeks, I’ve been a bit absent and I want you to understand why. A few weeks ago, when I was preparing for a huge undertaking for one of my client organizations, I had a tragedy in my family. On the day before I flew out for the first of three poetry events across three states in six days, I found out my father was in the hospital. The day I returned from the first successful event, my father passed on Easter Sunday. In that same window: - I rushed home to make my daughters’ Easter play - Celebrated my youngest daughter’s 8th birthday two days later - Flew back out to complete the final two poetry contests in two different states - And all the while, helped plan my father’s homegoing It was a lot. But this is also the poet life... the life of a poetry business owner. Real life doesn’t pause. Responsibilities don’t disappear. You just learn how to carry it all and keep moving forward. I’m grateful to share that the 3-day military homegoing was a success, and my father was honored well. Why I’m Sharing This Not for sympathy, but for perspective. This journey we’re on requires: - Discipline - Commitment - Adaptability - And the ability to keep building, even when life is happening 🚀 Moving Forward I’m back. Back present. Back focused. Back ready to work. And I hope you are too. We’re already up and we’re moving forward. Let’s get back to the work. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXg7s7AkZgf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== — Christoph

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!

Today marks the start of National Poetry Month—and we’re officially launching: ✍🏽 **“Write In The Moment” | 30-Day Poetry Month Challenge** The world is talking. It’s time for poets to respond. This challenge is about writing daily poetry based on real current events and positioning your voice in the conversations happening right now. 🎯 How to Participate (Daily) Each day: 1️⃣ Choose a current event(News, trending topics, something happening in your city or globally) 2️⃣ Create your poem(Follow the daily prompt + suggested format) 3️⃣ Record your video Include: - A hook referencing the event - Your poem - An uplifting or empowering perspective - A simple call to action (ex: “Follow for daily poetry this month”) 📲 Where to Post Post your video on your social media platforms: - Instagram - TikTok - YouTube Shorts - Facebook 👉 Tag: @PoetryBusinessNetwork 👉 Use hashtags like: #WriteInTheMoment #PoetryBusinessInstitute #NationalPoetryMonth 🏛️ Post Inside the Institute After posting on social media: ➡️ Come back here to PBI ➡️ Create a post ➡️ Drop the link to your video This allows: - The community to support and engage - Your work to be seen and shared - Momentum to build across the Institute 🔥 What This Will Do For You If you commit to this for 30 days, you will: - Build consistency - Increase visibility - Strengthen your voice - Learn to position yourself in real conversations - Begin turning attention into opportunity 📅 Timeline April 1 – April 30 Post daily. Stay present. Stay relevant. Final Thought Poets often say they want to grow… This is how. Let’s show the world what it looks like when poets write in the moment. — Christoph

As the Institute continues to grow, we’re evolving how we support you. What was previously Office Hours is now becoming a more intentional and impactful experience: 💼 **One-on-One + Group Coaching Monday–Thursday at 12:00 PM EST** These sessions are designed to support you in real time as you move through your poetry journey—whether you’re: - Working through Track 1 - Clarifying your ideas - Building your offers - Or simply trying to stay consistent and focused 🎯 What This Means for You For just $25/month (Premium Tier), you gain access to: - Live coaching sessions (M–Th at noon EST) - Real-time feedback and guidance - Clarity on your next steps - Support as you build and grow Along with other benefits we continue to roll out. 🧭 A Simple Choice - Free Tier → Self-paced journey - Premium Tier → Guided, supported, coached journey If you’ve been looking for: - More structure - More clarity - More accountability This is your opportunity to be coached as you go, not just figure it out alone. There’s no pressure—only alignment with where you are and where you want to go. If you’re ready, we’ll meet you there. — Christoph

Yesterday's Global Meet-Up & Masterclass was only the beginning! As we continue building out the Poetry Business Institute, we want your input. What weekly LIVE Masterclasses would you like us to create and offer? These Friday sessions are designed to go deeper into the skills, strategies, and thinking that help poets build, position, and grow their poetry business. 🧠 We Want to Hear From You Drop your ideas below: - What topics do you want us to teach? - What do you need more clarity or guidance on right now? - Are there any guest professors you’d like us to bring in? 🎓 Who These Classes Are For These Masterclasses are for: - Premium Tier students ($25/month) - Poets ready to invest in themselves (Upgrade to Premium or pay $10 per class) - Chapter Leaders 🗓️ Fridays at 12:00 PM EST 📍 Live right here on our online campus If you’re ready for more structure, deeper learning, and real-time guidance… This is your moment to level up. Looking forward to seeing what you all want to learn next.