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!

We’re excited to share an important milestone from the Poetry Business Institute (PBI). "Poet Life Unscripted" has officially been announced as the first production under the evolving media arm of the Poetry Business Network (PBN)—and the poets featured in this series will come from PBI and from poets who have not yet joined the Institute. This matters because it reinforces what PBI exists to do: prepare poets for real-world application, not just theory. 🎥 What Poet Life Unscripted Is Poet Life Unscripted is a documentary-style series that follows real poets and creatives as they navigate: - Opportunity - Growth - Pressure - Wins and lessons - Real-time application of their craft This is not scripted content. This is not promotional fluff. This is not a highlight reel. The series documents process over polish and journey over performance—showing what it actually looks like to build a life, career, and ecosystem with poetry while it’s happening. What you build inside Track 1—clarity, structure, documentation, confidence—is exactly what this series highlights in real life. 🔁 How This Fits the Ecosystem Poet Life Unscripted lives within PBN as part of its role as a creative media company that now: - Builds opportunities - Documents the journey - Distributes culture If you want updates, casting details, participation opportunities, and conversation around the show, PBN is where that will happen. 👉 We encourage all PBI students to join and engage in the Poetry Business Network to stay connected to the show and the larger ecosystem. 🗓️ Casting Call Opens Monday The official casting call for Poet Life Unscripted opens on🗓️ Monday, February 2nd. Details on: - Who we’re looking for - How to apply - Expectations and eligibility …will be shared inside the Poet Life Unscripted section. This will be a curated process. Not everyone will be selected—and that is intentional. ⚠️ Important Perspective

The Youth organization Teen Flow, which I spoke at last year invited our team Sculpted Roses Company to come back and present. This year we will be speaking twice on a Tuesday and following Thursday. The first topic will be centered on mental health. The second topic will cover one of my signature writing workshop services. To everyone don't sell yourself short, your vision and business is more than capable of what anyone thinks is impossible 🌹

We’re proud to announce that the first two graduates of the Poetry Business Institute have officially received their PBI Certificates of Achievement. Please join us in congratulating: 🎉 @metaScreenPlays aka Ric Connor 🎉 @SunnyTaira Wyatt Their completion of Track 1 represents more than finishing coursework. It reflects: - Commitment to growth - Willingness to do the work - Dedication to documenting their process - Intentional steps toward building a sustainable poetry career 📚 A Reminder to the Community Track 1 was designed to help poets: - Build a clear foundation - Develop confidence through structure - Document their journey authentically - Create content that attracts followers and builds supporters If you haven’t started the course yet, this is your sign to begin. If you’ve already started, this is your encouragement to continue. 🎓 Next Graduation: March 25th We encourage everyone who is currently enrolled to: - Keep moving through the modules - Ask questions when you need clarity - Document your progress in your own voice - Set your intention to graduate in March Track 2 begins March 30th, and Track 1 graduation is the best way to prepare yourself. Let’s continue building this Institution together—one committed poet at a time. Congratulations again to Ric and Sunny. We’re excited to see who’s next. 👏🏽

Shout out to @FoFeet UShairi Alkebulan for her amazing win! She was granted the opportunity to have her poetry book displayed and promoted on a huge billboard in Time Square in New York City. Let's celebrate her for this win/accomplishment. Fo Feet, share with us how that felt, what it means to you, and how it all happened... if you don't mind. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTdcyimkcSE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==