theplightofman

[theplightofman]

🗽

[theplightofman]

Sometimes all you need is a little regrouping

[theplightofman]

[theplightofman]

(1/12) “There wasn’t no plan really. I’m walking down the street with my best friend Koreh, and we see this house. And Koreh’s like: ‘Yo. Let’s break in.’ And I’m a stupid eighth grader, so I agreed. We climbed in a window and started grabbing whatever we could. The police were waiting for us when we came out. It wasn’t like the movies. They were respectful, but it was a lot of pressure. They put us in two different rooms. They’re like: ‘Koreh is telling us everything.’ My grandmother shows up, and she’s like: ‘Tell them what they want to hear.’ I didn’t know what to do. But eventually the detectives come in, and they’re like: ‘You can go. Your friend said you didn’t do nothing.’ Koreh got sent upstate to juvenile detention, and I went off to high school. Frederick Douglas Academy was known as the school you wanted to go to if you were a black boy. It was on 148th Street in Harlem, and it was run by this legendary principal named Dr. Hodge. On the first day of class he sat me down in his office, and said: ‘I know about your friend Koreh. And I know you’ve been in the system. So I want you to choose an after-school activity, and I’m going to follow you around until you do.’ For the first few weeks I just wandered the halls. The only choices were things like robotics, or math club. All of it looked boring to me. But I kept running into Dr. Hodge, and he’d be like: ‘You gotta choose something.’ So one day I wandered into the debate room, and sat down in the back. The coach was this white lady, at least she was a lady at that time. Her name was Ms. DiColandrea, but everyone called her Ms. DiCo. She was very young. She still looked like a kid. But every time she opened her mouth, it was power. She kept asking these deep questions, like: ‘What is a good person?’ I started coming back day after day, but I never participated. I just sat in the back and listened. But one day they were discussing drug addiction, which is a topic I know a lot about. So I stood up and shared my story. Afterward Ms. DiCo asked me to stay behind. Mainly she just wanted to make sure I was OK. She was like: ‘Do you need anything?’ But after that, she was like: ‘You should join debate.’”

[theplightofman]

Perfect standing wave on a computer-controlled wave pool

[theplightofman]

“There’s beauty in the struggle” 3 years ago I went to a play called Latin History for Morons, went to get a book signed after the show and John Leguizamo said to me, unprompted, “Do you act?” After I took in the moment (and over explained my past) he told me I should take classes and recommended I apply to this school called William Esper Studios. And 1 month ago I graduated from my program! I’ve wanted to act for as long as I can remember but every time I tried to pursue it, life got in the way. But what’s meant for you is meant for you, things happen when they’re supposed to, and now, looking back, I could not have chosen a better program and group of people to learn, grow, and build with. I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of amazing things in my short life. But I have never done anything as difficult, emotionally straining, and emotionally rewarding as working on my craft. And while I can wholeheartedly say I’ve grown immensely as an actor, my work at this school has been instrumental in my growth as a person in too many ways to mention. Incredibly thankful to everyone at Esper from my acting teacher David Newer, my movement teacher Joe Emmel, everyone in the office that put up with all my questions, and of course all my classmates from that summer back in 2018 to now. I am indebted to you all for the environment we cultivated to become our best and most authentic selves, on the stage, on the screen, and in our everyday lives. Looking forward to continuing to build with you all outside of Studio 6 🙏🏾 Esper reminded me of why the arts are required learning. I wish everyone could take an acting class and learn more about themselves in this specific manner. This work teaches you so many things about yourself that I truly don’t believe you can learn any place else. Class was a forum of freedom. And in learning to know myself, in learning how to live truthfully, it really feels like I’ve built up a superpower. I’m just, so so grateful. So yea, we did it again. Ya boy graduated from 2 schools in the same year, in a pandemic. Blessed and highly favored round these parts. …but now it’s time for the real work. Anyone know any agents? 😅 #EsperAlumni #Actor (at William Esper Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWi7Pv6LacR/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theplightofman]

Not a moment sooner, not a moment later. #MMM #MommasMondayMotivation  #onTime #Motivation #Thereisnowrongtime #quote #positivity #inspirationalquotes #inspire #mondaymotivation #livegood #lifelessons #staypositive  #mom #keepyaheadup #morningthoughts #wisdom #MommasMorningMotivations #positivevibesonly  #motivationmonday #quotes #hope #goodwords #sermon #goodenergy #healing #BeKindToYourself #motivations #morning #always (at Harlem) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVMhFpLAEtw/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theplightofman]

ISSA GRAD!!!! In true Kyle fashion I applied to ad school a while back, didn’t tell anyone about it, and proceeded to grind in (relative) silence. And we graduated on Thursday!!!!! And your boy was the top student in NY! I’m hype, I’m shocked, and I’m eternally grateful. Many thanks to everyone at @oneschoolus especially Oriel, my mentor @archivaljelsen, and all my classmates, super-especially my New York squadddd. We really did two years worth of work in 16 weeks. Wild. And another big thanks to Joe Prota for letting me know about the program. Literally an experience of a lifetime. Mans really graduated at the top of his class, in a pandemic. Look at God. #OneSchoolNY #OneSchool #myhomiesbetterthanyourhomies (at New York City) https://www.instagram.com/p/CS15eGfAzrO/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theplightofman]

For anyone else out there that needs a reminder today. #MMM #MommasMorningMotivations  #YoureDoingGreat #CantAlwaysBePerfect #quote #positivity #inspirationalquotes #inspire #mondaymotivation #wednesdaywisdom #livegood #lifelessons #staypositive  #mom #keepyaheadup #morningthoughts #wisdom #positivevibesonly  #motivationmonday #quotes #hope #goodwords #sermon #goodenergy #healing #BeKindToYourself #motivations #morning #always #thursdaymotivations (at Harlem) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSwycgvg7S4/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theplightofman]

Because even if they’re brief, the memories and the feelings can last a lifetime. #MMM #MommasMondayMotivation  #Moments #MotivationWednesday #cherishthemoment #quote #positivity #inspirationalquotes #inspire #mondaymotivation #wednesdaywisdom #livegood #lifelessons #staypositive  #mom #keepyaheadup #morningthoughts #wisdom #MommasMorningMotivations #positivevibesonly  #motivationmonday #quotes #hope #goodwords #goodenergy #healing #BeKindToYourself #motivations #morning #always (at Harlem) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0wBdCgz4k/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theplightofman]

Family always provides the healing I need. Thanks for the reminder of who I am and what I do this for. Blessed and highly favored ‘round these parts. #workingfromhome (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPToRViAmnB/?utm_medium=tumblr