I never met Chadwick Boseman, but I started working at a comic book shop shortly after Black Panther came out. His career and role of T'Challa gave me a confidence I needed at that time...

It was my first time working at a comic store and I was hella nervous. Didn't think I had the stuff to make it. But in time, I learned and was able to learn so much about comics, the industry, and the people who read them

But the absolute best thing about working at a comic book store? Without a doubt?

Helping people discover stories that will change their lives. It drove me to work so many hours, talk to so many people, it was truly the best experience

Black Panther was the talk of the town when it came out. And as it should have been. I still don't think Marvel capitalized how they should have on the comic side, but what was out, what people saw at our shop, helped inspire so many people

There was obviously the Black Panther comic, but there was World of Wakanda, Rise of the Black Panther, The Art of Black Panther hardcover, and a few more things

Hearing kids shout at the top of their lungs

"THAT'S BLACK PANTHER!" as they entered the store would never get old

Me, a Black man working at a comic store handing a young Black child a comic book with a Black superhero. While his mother or father watched on....

That shit is never ever lost on me, man. It was the best shit in the world I promise you

The same thing would happen with Black children and Miles Morales, women would I would show them comics like Monstress, I even had a plus-size woman cry because she had no idea Faith from Valiant was a thing. Changed her world.

Myself and others have talked and written for a long time why representation is important in media. But to experience it firsthand? To see children and adults light up because they see themselves in stories

It's priceless. And it almost can't be described or talked about enough

That's what Chadwick Boseman represented to people. Not just with Black Panther, but with all his roles. He handled each with grace and dignity because he knew how important it was to be that light for us.

It's bigger than him. Bigger than me. It's about all of us.

So yeah, this hurts and will hurt for a while. From Kobe, Ahmaud, Breonna, Tony, George, Rayshard, and more. Black people have seen too much death and pain this year. Be from police or other things

I cannot stop crying at the thought that Chadwick is now among those names

BUT his career and life is motivation. A fearless Black man that broke barriers and always did it with swag.

I will keep writing comics, stories, and continue to push myself because people like Chadwick would want it no other way.

Chadwick Forever