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AUTHOR’S NOTE

WITH CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS

Like all art, Every Variable of Us is unique and its themes can be at
times misconstrued. So I thought I’d add a little note to set the
record straight from the jump.
I grew up in Philadelphia, living in neighborhoods from West
Philly to Mount Airy. I love everything about Philly (well, not so
much driving on 76, but no one’s perfect). From its rich history, to
world-renowned food (you want a goated cheesesteak? Hit up Jim’s
or Dalessandro’s!), to all the amazing Black people and businesses
it has produced (Questlove and Uncle Bobbie’s, I’m looking at y’all),

to the stunning murals that don the side of abandoned houses,
reminding us how beautiful and talented we are as Black people.
But much like every major city, there are many neighborhoods
and blocks that got the short end of the stick when it comes to
the distribution of wealth that has for too long plagued Black
neighborhoods across America. The seeds of systemic racism have
been planted in the soil of these blocks. In Hargrove, I do my best to

depict such a neighborhood. Hargrove is a fictional neighborhood
in West Philadelphia. It’s a sometimes-exaggerated amalgamation
of the neighborhoods that my friends and I grew up on. I bring
this to your attention, dear reader, because not every block in the
hood is filled with violence and drugs. In fact, many are filled with
love and Black beauty. I wrote this book based on my experiences
as a young Black, queer kid raised by a single mom, who on some
nights would have to apologize to three starving children, because
she couldn’t afford to put food in our bellies. Many Black kids in

these neighborhoods will relate all too well to this feeling. And it