Humbling Experiences: Honored & Asked To Write/Recite A Personalized Poem For Our 50th Anniversary #Alpha

This past weekend I attended my alma mater, Norfolk State Univerty's Homecoming and while there my frat brothers and I celebrated 50 years of service and brotherhood. On Friday, we enjoyed an amazing banquet where I was recognized as an honoree. I was very proud to be recognized in that way by my chapter brothers from years past, my line brothers, and brothers who have come after me ...truly an honor. Also, some months prior to this event, my brother, Bradford Hardy, requested that I write a poem that personalized poem that personified our chapter's history. I gladlly accepted. All of the brothers were instrumental in the development of this poem entitled, "50 Years In Counting." I asked everyone to contribute an ism, phrase, and/or memory from their time period that clearly describes or relates to our chapter. Everyone did and I was able to take all of what they contributed and conjure up a poem that everyone could be proud of.

I am so very proud to have been accepted and apart of a chapter that is notorious for their service and compassion for others!

Until next time, pursue your passion because I'm pursuing mine!

Christoph Writes...

"If my words have the ability to develop wings of encouragement, I hope they take flight in someone's life." ~Christoph Jenkins

Humbling Experiences: My First Time On Stage @ Busboys & Poets

I feel as if God has me in training ...for something.  I really do!  Among all of the events He has had me do, last Tuesday, March 27, 2012, I took to the stage at Busboys & Poets on 14th St. & V St. for the very first time.  Mind you, I have been frequenting the Busboys Open Mic sessions for years and have never built up the courage to get on stage because I am very critical about what people think of my poetry.  When I write poetry, I write in a way that allows people of all ages to relate and be impacted.  Although, it isn't as simple as "Roses are red and violets are blue, " I never had the desire to write "so deep" that people couldn't fully grasp my meaning.  All in all though, my message was well received ...as you can see in the video.

It was like, ever since I prayed to God, the week prior, to give me the tools to do what He would have me to do, ...I've been able to "turn off" fear.  Well, to be honest, I think it began in 2009 when my pastor asked me to bring forth the message (I don't necessarily call it preaching for humility purposes lol) for a Youth Day Service.  I spoke on "Facing Your Fears."  That message was so beneficial for me because that's exactly what I was doing.  I was paralyzed with fear when asked to stand in that pulpit.and I faced my fear!  ....but I digress!

Soooo last Tuesday was my first time on stage and after speaking at the DC Trayvon Rally at Freedom Plaza the Saturday before and the Candlelight Vigil the following Monday, I was on a "Poetic Activism" high!  The Trayvon Martin case has really plucked my heart strings and I still am high strung on calling people to action and getting people involved in this movement ...all with the poem I wrote, "Who Will Cry For The Little Boy, Trayvon Martin?".  I don't plan on stopping.  We have a ways to to go and I just believe that everyone has the capacity and wherewithal to make a difference with the gifts and talents that God has given them!

Until next time... get involved!  You'll regret it if you don't!

Christoph Writes...

Humbling Experiences: I Shared My Poem @ The Candlelight Vigil for Trayvon Martin on 14th & Park Rd NW

This week has been a week like never before.  My life has been been somewhat redirected in someway.  And this redirection has nothing to do with MY WILL.  I truly believe that God has taken control of my life's compass.  I never would have thought that I would be standing in the center of hundreds of people on 14th & Park Rd. NW, Washington, DC in Columbia Heights, advocating for a justice through my poetry.  One can't just conjure up events like this and say they're going to make them happen.

This took place this past Monday, two days after I spoke in front of thousands of people in front of the Wilson Building, in downtown D.C. at Freedom Plaza, on Pennsylvania Ave.  The authorities had to literally shut down several blocks for safety precautions.  When I arrived, there were cars passing through like it was a regular Saturday afternoon.  Moments later, people started to come in droves chanting, singing, causing traffic to build.  Then the police began to assemble and started blocking off the streets so no vehicles could pass through.

Not too many people can say that they stood next to prominent activists and advocated for justice in front of thousands of people.  I don't say this to gloat.  I say ...or write this to say that I thank God for giving me the strength and forthright to do such "scary" things.  There was a time, not too long ago, that I probably would have turned down the opportunity to speak in front of so many people.  In front of my church? ...no problem.  In front of thousands of people with cameras? ...who have plans of broadcasting me across the world? ...WOW!!!  I don't think so!

I'm just being transparent with you right now.  I'm being very honest, when I say that I had to simply say to God, in prayer, "If you want me to complete these assignments (because that's what these events/experiences are; assignments from God), I'm going to need YOU to give me the tools and resources to get the job done.  I can't do what YOU"RE asking me to do with what I have.  If I have it already, I need YOU to reveal it to me because I don't see it."

God did just that.  Before I knew it, I was standing in front of thousands of people on Saturday and then on Monday I stood in the center of a few hundred of people, reciting the poem I wrote for Trayvon Martin, "Who Will Cry For The Little Boy, Trayvon Martin?".  The message was well received ...even though it was so cold I was getting cotton mouth because of the cold, dry wind that kept blowing.  I met a few people.  I enjoyed myself.  Now, I'm on to the next assignment God has for me.  God bless!

Until next time...follow God's plan for your life!

 Christoph Writes...

Humbling Experiences: An Honor & Privilege To Speak At The DC Justice Rally For Trayvon Martin (VIDEO)

Wow!  The DC Justice Rally For Trayvon Martin on this past Saturday, March 2012, was absolutely amazing!  And to think that it was put together in 4 days by 4 young African American women...nothing short of phenomenal.  I had the privilege and the honor of sharing/delivering the poem ("Who Will Cry For The Little Boy, Trayvon Martin?")  I wrote for Trayvon Martin.  To be standing in front of Disrict Building on 14th & Pennsylvania where they had to block off majority of the street/block because there were so many people, and deliver a poem that that really hit home for me, was UNBELIEVABLE! I stood at the top of those stairs in astonishment.  There were thousands of people, not hundreds like the media told you, of ALL NATIONALITIES AND AGES.  In my head, I'm thinking, I am literally apart of history in the making.  I couldn't wrap my mind around it.  The people were so adamant about who and why they were supporting.  To see all of the children in attendance, holdig up their skittles, tea, and signs for protest was so surreal for me.

I just kept saying to myself, "God is up to something!"

Until next time...continue to fight for JUSTICE! NO JUSTICE...NO PEACE...LITERALLY!!!

Christoph Writes...