Courtney, 

You are an alchemist. Thank you for quite literally transmuting the pieces of yourself [the tears you’ve cried, the voices in your heart, the sights you’ve seen] into something brilliant.

If we pause, whether during a pandemic, or after the loss of a loved one (or some combination of both) we can start to cultivate that little seed inside that wants to bloom under the sun.

Your trajectory is proof that it’s always time to start. Specialized degrees and hyper focused resumes are nice, but soul will always root most deeply.

Thank you for sharing your chosen family with us and making visible their fullness. We stand out in daylight, we shine under black light, we glow in love regardless. I cannot wait to see you evolve and experiment – the upcoming plexiglass installment will be a sight to see[thru]. 

Best,

A Black Star ★

Courtney Minor’s first solo exhibition, “Hidden in Plain Sight, Vol. 1” is open to the public Kente Royal Gallery in Harlem until April 19. All works are available for purchase.