Kimatni’s “One Love” 50th Born Day Celebration
As I lay back in meditation here in Granada, Spain, I thank The Most High for a half-century of life, love, friendship, and nomadic experiences. I represent the youngest of my core group of cousins who made it to 50 after our family endured a constellation of early deaths from various health issues and misfortunes. Thus, I am grateful, blessed, and humbled to have reached the milestone of turning 50 on November 9th, a gift from the union of my creators, Randi Payton and Lorraine Jones.
If you know our story, then you are aware of our meager, often violent, and extremely deprived lifestyles in the unforgiving neighborhoods of Camden, NJ. Subsequently, I immersed myself in the educational and athletic systems with a vengeance to improve my disposition and artistic vision, which ultimately led me to spiritual prosperity, higher education at Georgia Tech, and a football scholarship that removed me from the streets while focusing on classrooms and later, boardrooms. I’ve made temporary pit stops in Voorhees, Atlanta, and DC while building bridges with eternal friends whom I now revere as family.
I am humbled to have visited over 60 countries while breaking bread with the people of the land and exchanging ideas and energy with sages, philosophers, mystics, and gurus. From Ethiopia to Japan, Costa Rica to Ghana, and Vietnam to Jamaica, Jah has guided me while enlightening my mind state and simultaneously using me as a tool for giving back to humanity.
I am a father, a brother, a son, a mentor, a friend, and a messenger. If you cross my path, then know that that momentary segue in time, whether short-lived or extensive, is no coincidence, but a beacon of shared energy that will bless us both with lasting memories to revisit as often as necessary.
So my people, Live the Life you Love, and Love the Life you Live. Stay blessed!
–Kimatni Dupree Rawlins aka K-Raw aka The Warrior Poet aka The Vegan Cyborg aka Mr. Fit Father
