Some years ago when I was in my first year in college, I heard Salome Bey sing for the first time. The moment was exciting. Salome’s   21 filled the room and brought the theater to life. I was so   22  that I decided to write an article about her.

I   23  Salome Bey, telling her I was from Essence magazine, and that I wanted to meet her to talk about her career. She   24  and told me to come to her studio next Tuesday. When I hung up, I was scared out of my mind. I   25  I was lying. I was not a writer at all and hadn’t even written a grocery list.