Working with and talking to many successful men and women through the years, I have found and observed a few habits or roadmaps to success. They work with intention and purpose, build a strong team of successful people around them, and are prepared to pivot as needed. This applies to…

As you may be aware, there is a film and television strike for the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and SAG (Screen Actors Guild). I call this the summer of strikes, but if you have watched any films, television, or streaming services since the pandemic, or this summer, you understand how integral this art form is to our lives. The creative arts connects us all in profound ways. It sparks debate, conversations, or allows each of us a much needed departure from our daily lives.

In 2020, I created and host two podcasts around gratitude one is audio , ‘Gratitude Is A Journey’ on Achor.fm/dangelo-thompson which also inspired a children’s book by the same name https://www.dangelothompson.art/books. …

Death does not care about your gender, race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. Death, like any virus, shapeshifts, mutates, and has superior intelligence. Yet, it throws a more powerful blow to those disenfranchised. The howls of grief from your loved ones sound the same. Death to many is a reprieve from…

ALCHEMY OF SPIRIT To be heard. To be seen. It is born of stardust, pure alchemy. To be heard. To be seen. It travels and lives in carbon form. To be heard. To be seen. It chooses to dwell, speaking softly as a reminder and inspires. To be heard. To be seen. It makes its very presence known to a few and many and then it departs. To be heard. To be seen. It is pure alchemy in motion. Poem #26 of 28

DISTANT TRAVELER Curious. Migrate. Immigrant. Seeking higher ground. Conquerer. Interloper. Colonizer. Seeking higher ground. Enslaved. Trafficked. Distant. Seeking higher ground. Traveler. Poem #24 of 28

TRANS LIVES MATTER 35. Yes, 35. Can you believe 35? Black and Trans, 35 is my life expectancy. The big 40, a milestone for many, often not for my sisters. I don’t get to watch those I love to age gracefully, peacefully. Hell, I don’t get to see myself get old or fully blossom into my wisdom. 35. Can I see 35 and beyond? 35. I matter. Sigh. Poem #22 of 28

CLEANSING River deities are sweet and full of reward. Ocean waves wash over my flesh and take away unwanted energies. Baptismal waters cleansing my old ways, granting me solace in the new. Waterfalls pelting me as my burdens are washed away. Cleansing, with the living waters of our Orishas, Yemanja, and Olokun. Poem #21 of 28

A GREETING We are not strangers in this realm, even though we act as such. A simple, Salut, Bonjour, Good morning, Buenas Dias, hola, Annyeong, Buongiorno, Ciao, Ni hao, Mherbe, and many other tongues that express greeting, takes very little effort. Often, I am amazed when you greet others and…