Thank you for the space you hold for me. You've been integral in my healing journey. Oodles of gratitude!

You ask all the right questions.

What a journey this scholarship has been! I hope you truly feel the deep impact you have had on the lives of these young men. In the grand scheme of life, I can't imagine a greater accomplishment. This journey has been filled with joy, tears, laughter, frustration and endless hope. It has been my greatest honor working with you!

“I was both timid and determined to start, really start, the work of becoming an active antiracist. I knew, though, I had to reach outside my comfort zone. The buzz for white bodies was to start having “difficult conversations” around race. Oh geez, how do I do that? Especially since most of my friends, family, and community are white? I did it . . . one sit in the grass at a time. I showed up at Triangle park each week the summer of 2020 and sat in wholehearted, raw, real, generous conversation with others from the community who felt outraged and vulnerable in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. And it could not have happened without the sincere and skillful guidance of Creative Kuponya’s fearless leaders, Jamil and Sara. They heard us. They guided us. They held us in a compassionate circle.

I just wanted to say that I truly meant it when I said that was the best keynote I've ever been able to go to - it was perfect. I am so glad this worked out. I hope we can all get together soon! THANK YOU!!!!

Jamil, Thank you so very much for sharing parts of your story and much wisdom with us today. I heard from staff continuously throughout the day about how incredible you were and how impactful our time with you was. Your words we were exactly what we all needed to hear and I am grateful for your time and energy. We have a lot of healing to do in our community from our internal and external ruptures. I would love to talk more about how we might support our people through this process whenever you have space for that dialogue.