The Payoff

I delayed this newsletter by a week because I was waiting on some very exciting news that I can now finally share! Last weekend, I visited Pittsburgh because I got accepted to Carnegie Mellon University for their Arts Management program! I was extremely grateful and interested in the opportunity. I applied to 5 programs in January for arts admin, and now is the time of year when details are getting solidified. I was also accepted to BU and Drexel.

While in Pittsburgh, I learned that I was accepted to Harvard University! The program I applied to at Harvard is unique in that it’s a Master’s in Education for the Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship program. I would also study with a Concentration in Arts and Learning. As many of you know, I am drawn to many different entrepreneurial endeavors, notably my work in poetry and film. And I am also drawn to arts organizations, community programming, and arts education. I’ve always felt like it couldn’t be a more perfect fit. I am so humbled and grateful for the opportunity, and can finally say I will be attending! The program starts in June, and I couldn’t be more excited. If I’ve seemed not very present online with updates, it’s because I’ve been coordinating all these very exciting moving parts!!

I also wrapped up a job at the Arts Center on my campus, which was an incredibly invaluable experience. I learned more about talent management, hospitality, and built a donor database! I’m about to go on spring break, where I will take a much-needed rest and also lots of photos! Upon my return to campus, I will be continuing my book tour and finalizing details for What’s Left?

Last night I continued the tour with a stop at Noble Quills, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. I read my sonnet crown, THE THINGS I TELL MYSELF, OR THINGS I SHOULDN’T SAY OUT LOUD, and it felt so full circle. I’ve read many different versions of this poem in that space, and I’ll admit, I got nostalgic on stage. I’m so grateful for open mics like these, and I’m so grateful I get to continue to be part of this community even if it’s virtually.

Looking ahead to the tour, I have an exhibition going on for April, and my classic stops in the summer at Barnes & Noble UES and Bernards Township Library! I’ve been sending out invites, which include this newsletter! I hope to see you all there!

In other news, I have started production for my upcoming short fiction film! The cast and crew have been finalized. And we had an impromptu photoshoot earlier this week. We will be filming the weekend of April 3 and screening in mid-May! I’m so excited for you all to see this project and cast. It’s my first true dip into fiction, so I hope you’ll be kind with me. But I’m focusing on having fun, and I think the rest will follow. In the spirit of having fun… here’s a little teaser for you!