Getting the chance to see your words come to life is a BLESSING BEYOND BELIEF. With THEE Crystal Gix as my muse, I wrote this “super short film” with her in mind as the lead. Then Jeris DuPree came through with the leading man energy. With Donovan Gardener behind the lens putting the DIRECTOR in Director of Photography? This had no choice but to be gold.
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I’m so so grateful for the way the crew stepped in and up to see this project through. Hari, Wrekless, Tyler. Soooo much love to each of you. The light you bring to every set you touch could be felt through how professionally this project was executed. (Full credits below)
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I’m so proud and thankful to God to have written the words that you all turned into a tangible display of real life, love and hope.
Writer @tigerajray
Director & DP @donovanjgardener
Cast:
@crystalgix_ as Genesis
@jerisdupree as Omari
@wreklesswatson as Alex
Crew:
Producer – Hari Williams @hariwilliams
1st AC – Kawai Matthews @kawaimatthews
2nd AC – Free Herring @wakedafup
Sound – Eli Adkison @elliphobia
BTS – Tyler Fisher @ffisherin
Music by @ventage1245
Attention LA! We are coming to you with our premiere screening of “Hours.”
Watch the trailer, RSVP and meet us there on March 23, 2024!
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Film & trailer edited by @mrvibranteye
Song “Soul Searching”by @_dzhari_
Before I tell yall the story of how I wrote this, I just want to say, GO WHEN GOD TELLS YOU.
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Somewhere around December 2009, I was a 19 going on 20 year old junior in college. I was so in love with love. Reading fan-fiction short stories, Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, Sista Soulja, Zane and Wahida Clark books. (Gwynne Forster books landed in my hands a few years later) And I wanted to be like them.
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But I wasn’t them. A lot of these were hood love stories, but I wasn’t a hood chick. Sexually charged books, and that wasn’t my hype either. Deep romance, and I had never fallen in love.
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How could I write from my truth? The 19 year old, always-the-homegirl, abstinent, fashion student in love with all things luxury, Jesus lover that’s never been in a relationship but wanted to write about love?
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I decided to write about the love I never had and give it a happy ending. From the most genuine place I could find, I pulled on the pure love and protection that I experienced from my male best friends, and I let my imagination run wild on a “what if.”
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Just under fifteen years later, we’re here. It took me 6 years to write the story, 1 year to decide I wanted it to be a book, 3 more years to make it a COMPLETE story that made sense (because a 19-25 year old writing about a 28 & 32 year old was a little off), and 4.5 years editing, proofreading, editing, BACKING OUT OF THE PROCESS, editing, proofreading, SELF SABOTAGING, paying an editor, paying an artist, paying a formatter…and then boom. 2.8.2024
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If you made it this far I just want to tell you, when God says go, GO. He’s been pushing me to publish this since I was 28. Obedience is better than sacrifice. And we’re not even going to get into the sacrifices and the people that aren’t here to witness this moment with me. Don’t let a 12 day journey turn into 40 years in the wilderness. Don’t let your promise pass you and go to the next generation. If you’re still here, GOD STILL HAS A PLAN. Go BACK to the last thing He told you to do and GET IT DONE. Don’t worry about what comes next, you just let God know that He can trust you. Stop holding onto that seed. Release it and let it produce what it’s meant to produce.
SEED Summit 2026 was one for the books!
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I was so blessed to attend last year, and I can truly say the women in that room literally helped me change my life. Only a few people know what I went through over the last year and it’s spaces like this that remind you of who you are.
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This year was no different! @valeisha thank you for creating spaces that are safe for Black women to breathe. The panels were top tier, the conversations and all around feel of the event were so beautiful and inspiring. I left feeling like the powerful woman that I know I am. To every person in the room that planted a seed—THANK YOU.
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I specifically want to say to @shysaidso@chericejenelle@shawnfinniebeflourishing@josaynemeant2be@teriijeoma@meremir@iamalesharenee & @reignofapril your words and your warmth have power. I appreciate you. 💖
So did I tell you guys about what a time I had at the @naacpimageawards Young Gifted and Black Brunch? We had a TIME! There was lots of good information, conversation, libations and FOOD.
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I was so happy to see some familiar faces like @gail__bean@mr.lewis___ and @jessicalynndiaz , and meet some new ones. This event felt like a friends and family day, and I was grateful to see and squeeze everybody.
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This was my second year attending and it did not disappoint. I’m grateful to have been invited and I can’t wait for the next one. Cheers to @hollywoodbureau and Youth & College for a successful event and thank you for such a wonderful time!
Being a romance writer is so funny because sometimes you have to create romance to write about it. I might not be in love with anybody but myself at the moment—but it’s still love. And that’s enough. 💖
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When @dsmoke7 said, “It’s nice to see the sunset
over pacific, go west.” I FELT that.
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There are few things more romantic than a sunset to me. I hadn’t seen one in a few weeks. And my best friend said, “Yeah go do that.” (It’s funny because that’s how he fusses at me) So I called a car for myself and went on a little date.
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What’s something romantic that you do by yourself? I need more ideas.
Yesterday was one GORGEOUS day in LA. I spent it celebrating friends. My first stop was @dericaugustine ’s book signing for his first book, “Nawlins” about Black teenagers in New Orleans that attend a school for wizards. (It’s giving Black excellence during Black history month)
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And as a girl who used to sneak and read Harry Potter books when I was in middle school, I can’t wait to crack this open. Congratulations Deric! I’m so proud of you! @nawlins_series
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Btw: Annabelle’s Book Club is sooo cute!
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Bye now—If you’re looking for me, I’ll be reading.
Today would have been your birthday my guuuuh!!! Mama Sue. We celebrate you. We miss you. I love you.
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Also, look at your legacy. Can’t nobody bring people together like you!!
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And yep. I held on to this for a year. Last year I couldn’t bring myself to post it. And this year I still really can’t believe we threw your final party just two weeks before your birthday. Guh you messed the city up. And it feels like no coincidence that Port Allen was having a parade the same day. They couldn’t get through the streets because we blocked them off first 😂 That’s just how you roll. Miss you. 😘
This was too good not to share. My birthday was so sweet. Like REALLY sweet. I have more cake than I can handle 🤣
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I got my own personal birthday song—and a music video. I probably won’t hear again until next year, so it can at least live on my page.
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Thank you to everyone who commented, sent a message, text, called, went out of your way to see me and make me feel special, spent time with me. None of it is lost on me. I’m going into my new year feeling surrounded by love. I’m grateful, grateful, grateful.
My last words to 35 before midnight:
God told me 35 would be my year of “complete grace.” I didn’t know how much I would need it. 35 kicked off with the LA fires and my bonus mom transitioning in January. I lost so much this year. I caught Covid, had some serious things happen in my personal life (some which are still occurring), experienced a depression that for a minute I couldn’t see myself crawling out of—and somehow I’m still standing. Still smiling.
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God still blessed me with a new film, screened at three film festivals (Hours. & Take the Note), I got back on stage and performed, completed two scripts, did panels, put on events, created safe spaces, loved on people, gave of my time, talent and treasures. You don’t do that WITHOUT GRACE. From top to bottom (even in this very moment) God has covered me with a grace I’ll never understand. When I look over the last year, all I see is His hand. Covering me.
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35, chile you hurt. I’m leaving this age with scars. I fell, stayed down for a minute, rested, crawled, walked…and now I’m ready to run again. Thank you to my friends that loved me through. You know who you are. To Mama Sue and Aunt San…thank you for your love. Can’t believe I’m turning a new age without you.
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Alright now 36—talk to me nice. 💖
✨❤️💚❤️ My Christmas Card. ❤️💚❤️✨
May your days be merry and bright, and may you have every peaceful silent night. Many blessings over the rest of your year, don’t forget to give love and Christmas cheer. And of course while I hope that for you this holiday is pleasing—remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas Eve✨✨✨
Thank you to my favorite BTS King for creating this amazing video ☺️
Never forget that you were made with love, by love.
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God is love, so you carry it with you wherever you go. I hope that you feel covered in hope, joy, peace and love throughout your days. It’s always there for you. It never ceases. 💖
