Sadly, Reginald Shepherd — poet, essayist, anthologist and blogger – passed away on the night of Wednesday, September 10th.  An incredibly talented writer and thinker, I met him in 2002 when he generously participated in the inaugural Fire & Ink Festival for LGBT People of African Descent.  Reginald was forty-five years old and died of cancer.  He will be sorely missed by many.