Another Day of #NCTE2024 & (Lo & Behold) I Finally Get Mr. William King & Mr. Kwame Alexander Reunited. The Best Part Was None of It Was Planned.

The best part of the NCTE is the random bumps of this or that person, simply by walking around. I met Kwame during his Acoustic Rooster tour in upstate NY, and a little while before The Crossover (I know this because I still have the Word document he sent me). Lots of storying and histories later, I simply am thankful whenever I get to be face-to-face with him. In 2013, we brought him to Fairfield University for my first-ever Writing Our Lives conference in Connecticut. We had over 100 Bridgeport youth come to campus for a day of writing (and artists Gordon Skinner designed the artwork). Phew. That was over a decade ago and look at life now. 

I'm excited he's promoting Jarred Amato's work, and can't wait for next year when J&K is out (I mean K& J). Also was wonderful to gather with Ellen Oh, Nic Stone, Kim Johnson., and Patricia Park last night, too, and running smack dab into Torrey Maldonado on my way home from dinner (in the pouring rain).

Presented with my Divergent squad, as well as Jessie Early and Kristin Turner via our NWP research-work. Two more day so presentations (two today and two tomorrow) and then it is over. Another successful conference. 

Today, more NWP work and then tomorrow, two special presentations that I'm excited to participate in. I also get to ride the train home, which is always wonderful...the moving office. 

Ah, but now time for the work. Time for more.