Chad was my very first acting teacher. It was 2002 when I started at the @schomburgcenter Junior Scholars, with my dad as director. The city had hardened in that last year, crouched and suspicious. As the theater teacher, Chad was warm, curious, and invested in the joys of serious play. He taught me to speak directly from my center and gave me a space to stand tall, fill up, and unleash. He took us seriously as artists and kindly as people. Chad has always been one of my inspirations for following this path. Feeling grateful that I get to share some memories and thoughts about him today. Also! This is us during the reinternment of ancestor remains to the @africanburialground. Dad’s in all white.