Im a twenty-two-year-old Black introvert who overthinks everything, cant get a date, yet somehow managed to graduate from Harvard.

My story is probably not like yours. Im a Black boy from the Midwest. Ive never been kissed. Im desperately in love with two women: Aretha and Whitney. I struggle with a mild form of social anxiety. I sing to myself almost everywhere I go. Im an ex-chitlins (with hot sauce and ketchup) lover. Ive been called an Oreo. Ive been stopped by the police while walking home. Im the descendant of slaves, and a Harvard graduate.

Though our stories may not be the same, the universal themes explored in this poignant and personal literary collectionlove, identity, hope, social justice, and coming of agebond us together. Timestamp: Musings of an Introverted Black Boy is many things: Its one Black boys journey through college and into adulthood. Its a compilation of intimate musings, short and long. Its an anthology of reflections linked to distinct moments in time. Its a series of meditations on life, love, and the lack thereof. Its not simply a Black book, or even a millennial one.Its a human book.

I wrote it for everyoneand that includes you.