We had the good fortune of connecting with Giovanni Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Giovanni, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I feel as though taking risks is what makes you grow as an individual. You’re able to step out of living with fear and step into growth and chance. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, it’s best to take it because I believe that everything comes at the right time, you just need to know if you have the proper resources and tools and accept it. You never want to grow old and wish you would’ve given yourself permission to take a chance on an opportunity that could’ve changed the trajectory of your life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My debut collection of poetry, “Incognito”, which was officially released in April 2021, details my journey through triumph, self-doubt, perspective, personal progression, and my overall experiences across the last 7 years. This book takes you into a world of words where you can find yourself behind each poem. I started writing poetry back in 2015 and officially decided to make a compilation of poems in late 2017. Incognito is for any and everyone, with poems touching on anxiety, vulnerability, love, trauma, etc.

Also, my brother and I, Jordan Allen (@m.jordanallen), officially launched our podcast, “Letter 2 Life”, through WCUG Cougar Radio in Columbus, GA! The purpose of Letter 2 Life is to open up, illuminate, and shed light on the darkness of societal problems that plague individuals in their day-to-day. The L2L Podcast is a podcast that seeks to bridge the gap between what is felt vs. what is seen. Through this. the L2L Podcast acts as the mediator for the murky waters we tread within the societal system by navigating through the folkways and mores we have created for ourselves. In doing this, it will display the insistent and ugly truths we choose to bury or dismiss as ethnocentrism grows more ever-present within our reality. You can listen to Season 1: Episode 1 – “Allow Your Heart To Break” through this link: linktr.ee/Letter2Life.


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Firstly, shoutout to myself for publishing my debut collection of poetry, “Incognito”, which is available NOW through Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble. Also, special shoutouts to my family for the support surrounding Incognito. Shoutout to my brother Rob (@7lvck_) for shooting the rollout for my book, my right hand Kristen Allen (@kristheideal) for creating all the designs in my book, my brother 4L Stevon (@iamstevonlester) for the consistent love & support, the creative genius behind the cover of my book, Aleec Gomes (@allecgomes), my sister Gigi (@gibanks_) for being my biggest champion throughout my journey, fellow poet Mahrie (@mah.rie239), my big brother 2Gs (@coldcooper8), and so many others to name, but you know who you are!

Website: https://linktr.ee/blvckprvnt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blvckprvnt/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanni-thompson-6246641a7/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blvckprvnt/

Image Credits
Robert Purchase II (@7lvck_)

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