When I think of home I think of a place where there's love overflowing.
— excerpt from "Home" by Charlie Smalls

There's a popular saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The way I see my neighborhood speaks to that. While some see a list of deficits, I see it as a magical realm full of natural beauty, strong relationships, creative opportunities and love overflowing.

My childhood streets and neighbors prepared me for the larger world while keeping me safe. Sheltering, nurturing, sustaining. I will always cherish my early days