Hella Over. ❤️🥲 The way #insecurehbo changed my life is too incredible to sum up in a post. All I can say is I’m so thankful and grateful to my sister @issarae for trusting me with her baby. All of my love and gratitude for the other third of #3thehardway @msmelina. To my OG’s @yvonneorji @jayrellis making this little bitty show in Inglewood back in 2015 none of us had any idea, but we all fell in love with with each other immediately. To the backbones of the show @msdeniese and @jonathanberry100 I can’t thank you enough for welcoming me into the fold. Thank you to Casey and @nortivarg for giving me an opportunity to be a part of this amazing show. Thank you to @jimkleverweis who made this happen every day – literally. To all my writers, directors, cast and crew that ever worked on the show, I truly appreciate every thing you poured into it. To my amazing wife @mz_money_penny and my three children I can’t thank you enough for understanding and being patient through all of the sacrifices. I can only hope one day you look back proudly that your husband and father tried to do something positive for the culture. And to the culture, just know everything I did was because I love you. Thank you and good night.
NEW HOME ALERT – I’m so excited to begin a new journey with everyone at @disney and the #onyxcollective. I knew once I met with Dana Walden and Tara Duncan this was the place for me. Thank you guys for feeling the same! Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Disneyland and Star Wars. So to be where those brands are couldn’t make me happier. Thank you to everyone who’s a part of the APFYT team who helped make this happen @chrisp1363 @theresakanglowe @solersystem @ashleynhlnd @lifeofmeyash #PhilD’Amecourt, @johnvmeigsjr #adamkaller @_cvarg #alexisjones #landriehatcher. Thank you to my amazing wife @mz_money_penny and three great children for constantly being the backbone of my support. Thank you to Casey, Nina, @nortivarg and everyone at @hbo for being a place that allowed me to grow. For the next four years we are committed to making content FOR THE CULTURE. Black, Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern, LGBTQ, and anyone that’s about advancing conversations creatively. So…open for business! Let’s go! #onyxcollective
NEW HOME ALERT – I’m so excited to begin a new journey with everyone at @disney and the #onyxcollective. I knew once I met with Dana Walden and Tara Duncan this was the place for me. Thank you guys for feeling the same! Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Disneyland and Star Wars. So to be where those brands are couldn’t make me happier. Thank you to everyone who’s a part of the APFYT team who helped make this happen @chrisp1363 @theresakanglowe @solersystem @ashleynhlnd @lifeofmeyash #PhilD’Amecourt, @johnvmeigsjr #adamkaller @_cvarg #alexisjones #landriehatcher. Thank you to my amazing wife @mz_money_penny and three great children for constantly being the backbone of my support. Thank you to Casey, Nina, @nortivarg and everyone at @hbo for being a place that allowed me to grow. For the next four years we are committed to making content FOR THE CULTURE. Black, Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern, LGBTQ, and anyone that’s about advancing conversations creatively. So…open for business! Let’s go! #onyxcollective
8 NOMINATIONS 4 @insecurehbo !!! Feel so blessed and thankful today. Five years ago @issarae @msmelina @jayrellis @yvonneorji @jonathanberry100 and I embarked on making this show and to be here today is amazing. So many people to thank: Everyone at @hbo, 3 arts (Dave Becky and Michael Rotenberg), @jimkleverweis , our amazing cast/crew/ writers/directors of all 4 years and most importantly THE CULTURE for riding with us day 1. This nom for me isn’t about validating me or the show. It’s about OUR ART being viewed as the same which is all our ancestors wanted. To be human. This validates my wife for supporting me day 1. My mom for supporting me day 1. My friends for being in my shitty films but believing in me nonetheless. Win, lose or draw we all got EMMY NOMINATED by our names for life! #insecurehbo
I just want to wish @mz_money_penny a VERY HAPPY 17th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. The top pic was taken in 1990 when we were 16/15 and had just met. I thought she was #poison #bigbuttandasmile and fell in love then. I told my boy @ren_car1 “she’s special. She could be the one” And here we are 30 years later (Below) celebrating Emmy night together. Three kids later. She believed I’d be a writer/director 30 years ago and here’s the proof. I love you so much @mz_money_penny – to the moon and back baby. Let’s get it.
YOOOOOOOO!!! THIS IS CRAZY!!! In one weekend you guys made this little small movie about black men and people of color in the world of wine – not only the #1 movie in the US but the #4 most watched PROGRAM on ALL of Netflix in the US!! I’m beyond moved to tears. Sooo many people told me this movie wouldn’t work. Thank you to those who made this happen. The list is so long and I am thankful to all of you. Let this be a lesson to everyone to trust your gut even when everything around you says otherwise. Stay safe everyone. I love you. I’m gonna go cry in a corner some more. 😭😂
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
It’s been a week since you’ve passed and it’s still unbelievable hard and sad. A man who could fill the room just by walking in it. I spent a lot of time not wanting to be like you, only to become and embrace so much of it. We had a complicated relationship, but there was so much love. My father was the perfect definition of not a perfect man, but a GOOD man. He was the first person to tell me “Man, if you wasn’t my son, I would really like you.” He’d say it all the time and as kid I didn’t really get that. But as I got older the gravity of that stays with me at 47. Those that knew him, knew you’d always get a good meal and a good story. If you ever like anything about me, I got it all from this man. He taught me how to dress, be humble, be a businessman, be loving, entertain, he was the funniest and coolest people on the planet. Hell, I made a whole ass movie about our relationship. I can’t believe you’re gone, man. And let me return the favor, “Even if you weren’t my dad, I’d like you, too.” Tell your loved ones you love them while they’re here. I didn’t enough, but the truth is, there’s probably never enough. Love you, Dad.
SUPER EXCITED FOR THE OFFICIAL KEY ART FOR #UncorkedMovie Dropping today @netflix @netflixfilm #march27 #sxsw2020 THIS MOVIE LIKE MANY BEFORE IT: The Farewell, The Photograph, is just about people of color being human. It’s about our beauty not our burden. It’s for everyone but it’s important Black men and fathers see other images of themselves than what’s normally portrayed on screen: Black fathers being present.
SO EXCITED TO BRANCH OUT INTO LATE NIGHT WITH THE GENIUS OF MY HOMIE @samjaycomic – When we first started talking about what the show could be, I knew day one “I fux with her”. AND THANK YOU TO @hbo CASEY AND NINA FOR PICKING IT STRAIGHT TO SERIES FOR 2021. NOTHING OR NO ONE IS OFF LIMITS. WE COMING.
SO EXCITED TO BRANCH OUT INTO LATE NIGHT WITH THE GENIUS OF MY HOMIE @samjaycomic – When we first started talking about what the show could be, I knew day one “I fux with her”. AND THANK YOU TO @hbo CASEY AND NINA FOR PICKING IT STRAIGHT TO SERIES FOR 2021. NOTHING OR NO ONE IS OFF LIMITS. WE COMING.
SO EXCITED TO BRANCH OUT INTO LATE NIGHT WITH THE GENIUS OF MY HOMIE @samjaycomic – When we first started talking about what the show could be, I knew day one “I fux with her”. AND THANK YOU TO @hbo CASEY AND NINA FOR PICKING IT STRAIGHT TO SERIES FOR 2021. NOTHING OR NO ONE IS OFF LIMITS. WE COMING.
4 years ago to the date, I started writing a movie in Paris. A father/son story about a black man who studies wine. So many moments made me want to give up over that time. So many people and places said no. But I learned it’s not God saying no, it’s Him saying “Do you want it fast or do you want it right?” I had to learn how to direct again by watching people like @msmelina @mclumpsum. By being inspired by people who follow their own truth like @issarae – It wasn’t easy and still isn’t. But to sit here 4 years later in the vineyards of Chablis making the movie in the very place that inspired it, I can only say “Won’t He Do It.” I wouldn’t EVEN be here without most importantly @mz_money_penny who holds errrything down, but also @chrisp1363 @datariturner @skimansteamboat @renbenzo @argentpictures @wineauxdlynnp @johnvmeigsjr @dcwade1 @ashleynhlnd @lifeofmeyash @teek715 @roseynickel @bakedliam and @netflix #uncorked2019 Thank you to everyone who ever did anything nice for me. You didn’t have to and I’m forever grateful. Nite.
In front of my first tv show. Don’t even have the words.
