BETWEEN TREADMILLS AND TYLER PERRY

There I was, mid-sprint on the treadmill at Equinox, catching the perfect rhythm with my playlist blasting. I'd been working out there for a while—consistent, focused, and ready to switch into monthly payments after my three-month extension from attending that charity gala. But today? Today was different. My phone buzzed, interrupting the flow. I glanced at the screen and saw her name. You know the one—our girl, the one we were all rooting for. She’d just booked a recurring role on this insanely popular teen drama, the kind of thing that makes you stop and think, "Finally. This is it. She's about to take it all the way."

Captured by Mitchell Royel amid the gritty allure of the Fashion District, where industrial edges meet unapologetic style, I found myself immersed in a world that thrives on raw creativity and bold contrasts. The air buzzed with the hum of ambition, a perfect backdrop to the sultry, pulsating rhythm of "MELT" by Miss Madeline—this track doesn't just play, it electrifies. Draped in statement pieces that whispered defiance and oozed confidence, I could feel the fusion of art and attitude resonate like never before. It's more than just a moment; it's a vibe, it's an energy, it's a revolution stitched into fabric and echoed through slick beats.

When I answered, she didn't even give me time to say "hello." Panic hit me straight through the speaker. Something had happened—on set, no less. To this day, I still don’t fully know the details surrounding the altercation, or situation, or whatever we’re calling it now, but her voice was trembling, and the unease was palpable. Apparently, her mom was there too, which added to the tension. She’d made it crystal clear that she was not vibing with the star of the show. I mean, love her to death, but she had this fire about her that couldn’t be tamed. Instead of letting it break her, she spent filming breaks holed up in her trailer watching interviews—Oprah, Tyler Perry, Eartha Kitt—taking in all that iconic Black brilliance.

There I was, mid-sprint on the treadmill at Equinox, catching the perfect rhythm with my playlist blasting. I'd been working out there for a while—consistent, focused, and ready to switch into monthly payments after my three-month extension from attending that charity gala. But today? Today was different. My phone buzzed, interrupting the flow. I glanced at the screen and saw her name. You know the one—our girl, the one we were all rooting for. She’d just booked a recurring role on this insanely popular teen drama, the kind of thing that makes you stop and think, "Finally. This is it. She's about to take it all the way."

When I answered, she didn't even give me time to say "hello." Panic hit me straight through the speaker. Something had happened—on set, no less. To this day, I still don’t fully know the details surrounding the altercation, or situation, or whatever we’re calling it now, but her voice was trembling, and the unease was palpable. Apparently, her mom was there too, which added to the tension. She’d made it crystal clear that she was not vibing with the star of the show. I mean, love her to death, but she had this fire about her that couldn’t be tamed. Instead of letting it break her, she spent filming breaks holed up in her trailer watching interviews—Oprah, Tyler Perry, Eartha Kitt—taking in all that iconic Black brilliance.

Months later, out of nowhere, we got another call from her—this time, a different tone. She was shooting an indie film. The plot? Fuzzy. She didn’t bother clarifying too much. What she did make clear was this one thing—this film was her statement, her clapback at the network for the way they treated her. Oh, and it had a pretty intense love scene, something that felt wildly out of character but also fiercely intentional. Retaliation through ownership of her narrative, maybe? We weren’t sure how to feel, but she asked us to come to the premiere. Reluctantly, we did, eager to support but unsure what we’d walk into.

The event itself? Surreal. We met one of the exec producers—a nice guy, seemed genuine enough. Still, we couldn’t help but contrast her behavior to the whole vibe of the stars on that teen drama set. Honestly, we may never fully wrap our heads around what went down, but we had fun that night—awkward or not—and we're still rooting for her. Always.

Cultural disconnect?
Personality thing?
I don’t know.
We’re white, she’s Black.
Maybe that’s part of it.
Maybe not.
But man, what a ride.

-Mitch, Ryder, GG Collective

Epilogue: We are here to support each other, even when the paths we walk diverge in belief or behavior. It’s not about changing them or needing them to see the world the way we do—it’s about loving them through the ebb and flow of their humanness, as we honor our own. When we disagree, we still hold space with reverence. It’s the quiet act of listening without agenda, of anchoring ourselves in compassion when differences arise.

We sustain our holiness by staying rooted in love, by remembering that our spirits are interconnected beyond these temporary viewpoints. No one needs to be wrong for us to stay in alignment with our truth. We can offer grace, temper judgment with curiosity, and bring warmth into every interaction. This is how we carry forward peace. Together. Always together.

1. We listen to understand, not to respond.

2. We choose love over control.

3. We seek understanding, even when it feels uncomfortable.

4. We soften our gaze when judgment tries to harden it.

5. We breathe deeply before we speak. Words matter.

6. We hold the space for others to grow, even as we are growing.

7. We accept imperfection as part of our wholeness.

8. We leave space for silence—it can be the loudest form of wisdom.

9. We discern with kindness, not criticism.

10. We allow relationships to evolve without forcing an outcome.

11. We meet anger with calm and curiosity.

12. We see the divine in everyone, even when it feels challenging.

13. We practice gratitude to anchor ourselves in abundance.

14. We create space for sacred pauses in conversation and connection.

15. We surrender the need to be right and open to being real.

16. We honor others’ perspectives as a testament to their experiences.

17. We release the expectation for someone to think or feel as we do.

18. We extend grace when differences arise.

19. We assume the best in others, trusting in their humanity.

20. We lead with compassion, not defensiveness.

21. We carry hope forward, even in moments of division.

22. We reflect before we react.

23. We love without condition, even when there is dissonance.

24. We reframe disagreements as opportunities to deepen connection.

25. We nurture our hearts with self-care, so we can give love abundantly.

26. We allow our truth to flow without imposing it on others.

27. We hold boundaries with kindness, never with fear.

28. We open our hands and hearts to possibilities during conflict.

29. We find small moments to celebrate shared humanity.

30. We strive to be mirrors of peace, reflecting divine love back to one another.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." – 1 Peter 4:8