[Interlude: Rasheed Chappell]

My name is Rasheed Chappell and ever since 12 years old

This was my story

Every journey begins with a single step

Every beach with a single grain of sand

And every building with a single brick

The first brick is the cornerstone, the people the places

The highs the lows

The wins, losses, the love and pain that shapes us most

I can hear the sounds of voices being carried up to my window

As my mom and dad fucked, fought and got high

The smell of refer was as loud as the music that blared outside

And clashed with the sounds of sirens

My first brick is molded by my friends

Who share the unspoken language of acceptance because our stories are the same

My first brick will forever be tied to my name

Forever revealed in every word I speak

My first brick is sunflower seeds and Miss Berry icees

My first brick is popped bike chains and Boy’s Club swimming pools

Open hydrants and Chicken Holiday snack boxes

My first brick is sleepovers with cousins

Fist fights and learning to cuss like the old heads I mimicked that came before me

My name is Rasheed Chappell

This is my first step

My grain of sand

This is my first brick