👋🏾 Heyyy ganng! I want to remind those of you interested in entering the poetry contest that the deadline is approaching! ➡️ Please remember to follow us on Instagram (@yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest) for consistent updates as we don't really promote here, but I know we have members who are interested. 🏆 1st Place Wins the Following: - 💰$150 Cash Prize - 🎙️Interview on FIYE Radio, sponsored by FIYE 101.9 Atlanta Radio courtesy of our very own @Sundays Jones - 📲 Live Instagram Interview with @Yecheilyah Ysrayl - Complimentary poetry business coaching session with our very own Poetry Business Institute/Network founder @Christoph Jenkins - Winning poem published on The PBS Blog at thepbsblog.com to over 3300 subscribers. - Social media promotion across all platforms - Unlimited bragging rights ;-) ✍️🏾Special Guest Judge: Our very own @Joshua Clark ↩️ Enter/learn more at yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org ⏰ Get your pieces in before the clock strikes midnight on June 1st for a chance to win.

Do you have an idea where you'd like to travel to perform or conduct business? Name the city, state, or country! Let's make it happen... by making connections right here in the Institute!

New week. New opportunities. New decisions. Before the week gets away from you, take a moment to think intentionally: - What are you focusing on this week? - What module or lesson are you committing to complete? - What content are you planning to create? - What conversations or opportunities are you preparing for? - What would make this week feel productive for you? A lot of people want progress. Fewer people actually plan for it. Drop your focus for the week below 👇🏽

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!

Where are the Texas Poets @ ⁉️ We're meeting via zoom tonight 7pm CST Can't wait to see you there It's time to take the next step in your poetry journey 🌹