acknowledgements

Demond extends his deepest gratitude to

Kia, Teddy, Jordan, Grannie (Miss Polly), Mom, Dad (Thomas), Miss Johns, Mo (William Maurice Cowan), Nick, Earl, Kevin, his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers of the Mu Tau Chapter, Aunt Sue and Uncle Charles, Toni Brown, Albert, Auntie Treva, T, Courtly, Julia, Blake, Armani, Daina, Seydric, Ty, Eric, Derek, Thomas Turner, Jim, Kelsey, and Frank. He also thanks Carl, John, Niah, Jordan, his nieces Jessica, Venessa, Corrine, Akoffa, Lisa, and Dedre; mentors and partners Erskine Bowles, David Thomas, Jim Cash, Phill Gross, Tara and Jeff, Bishop Brian and Lady Carmen Greene, Beth Crigler, Jeremy Sclar, David Fialkow, Ken Chenault, Mike Archbold, Jonathan Kraft, Gillian, Connie, Heather, Tiffany, Corey Hajim, Michele Norris, Gail Ross, and Jennifer Baker. He appreciates close friends and extended family including Ron “Hey Buddy” Kirk, Cy, Marti Nesbit, Broderick, Ron, G, Mo, Hise, KP, Sashi, Spider, Grant and Gabon Williams, Don and Bridget, Glenn Hutchins, Tommy and Stephanie Amaker, the Turks and Caicos crew, Boston family, Farm Neck crew, Group Chat members D, Mackie, Kaaaaa, Jared, O, Sensei Tube Socks, the Adage family, the WellWithAll team, and his church family at Pentecostal Tabernacle, along with his creative collaborators Corey Hajim, Michele Norris, Gail Ross, Jennifer Baker, and Theo Emery.