Thanks to my parents, Bob and Elease Holmes. (I’m glad to have made y’all so proud afta all the shame I brought the family name. There’s more where this came from.) To my brothers, Bobby (Shon) and Derrick Holmes. To my sisters, Cynthia Martin, Rita and Shonta Holmes. To my nieces, Tenise Cunningham, Negina Holmes (get well soon!), Jeniya Martin, Deja Culpepper Holmes, Artasia Koon and Ieshia. To my nephews Paul “Ramel,” Kasseem “KK,” Andre Martin, Dashawn and Donshea Holmes, Scottie Cabrera, Rahsaan Rossberry, Shakeem “Keemie” Smalls, Haseem, and Ramel. To Barbara and Mrs. Lewis. (Ya’ll have become like family to me. Love ya.)

To my Aunt Juanita Holmes (Savannah, GA) and the rest of my extended family in Macon and Atlanta. Thanks for your support. To Philly Lewis and her daughter Lauren. Cousins Latisha Moore, Joanna Moore, Amar Moore. (Keep doing whatcha doing! You got a good heart. God is going to bless you.) To my family on lock: Jamel Smalls, Saeed Kaide, Tuheed “Tony” Mitchell and Dahoo Allen a.k.a. Ricky Schuler (hold ya head). Vicky Stringer (Let That Be the Reason), thanks for reaching out to me and extending your friendship through thick and thin. There was never a rivalry between us. Though certain people put us at odds, we saw through that.

In the immortal words of Tupac “You ain’t neva hada friend like me.” My n Anthony Whyte (Ghetto Girls). Dogz, you too have reached out to me and we’ve become close. It goes beyond this book thing. I want fa you what I want fa myself: success. One luv!

Darren Coleman (Before I Let Go), me and you met unda unusual circumstances. I reached out to you and gave some advice, which you wisely heeded. Since that day we’ve become close (you lookin’ out fa me and vice versa). As I go through these literary doors before you, I’ll continue to tell you what’s on the other side. I won’t keep nuttin’ secret. Nicky Turner (A Hustler’s Wife), my li’l sis. Yo, I wish you all the best in da world. I once told you that I wanna give anybody that’s rollin’ wit me the best advice I can give em, regardless of what it is. (Neva let it be said that Shannon Holmes came between you and some money. Neva dat!) Just be patient. Everything you want will be in ya grasp. Just continue writing fa da love and the rest will follow. I Love you gurl! I swear I do! Ha! Ha!