For Javone

The night I found out my friend Javone died, I went to the park near my place to think. And one thing weighed heavily on my mind… keeping his name alive. I can’t even tell you why, it was just the only thing that made the pain make sense. When his obituary was released a week or so later I was sure they spelled his name wrong and called to complain. Turns out it was correct and he didn’t even find out how to spell his own name until he was being released from foster care at 18. Learning that was my sign from the universe. To keep his name how he spelled it alive. As part of my first solo show I’ll be selling tshirts and stickers with this rose, inspired by a tattoo he had. I hope to continue raising money in his name and giving it to families who need it, to the kids. That’s why this first donation will go to a community center pretty close to where we both lived in Medford. Had he lived I know he would have done great things, this is my way of helping him do that.