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Duke Gamble

@duke.gamble

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Photographer + Content Creator
Detroit Event Curator/Coordinator
#detroit #contentcreator #influencer

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that time i showed up underdressed for my first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition… #DoItScared #KeepGoing

i’ve often wondered who i would be if i would’ve stuck with Judo (aka made it past the first TRIAL class 😅) back in middle school. intimidated, i made up every excuse to let go of that dream. but that path-not-taken has never left my mind…

fast forward to last month for my very first BJJ competition at the @IBJJF Detroit Open:

i showed up in my standard (no-gi) training attire: rash guard and shorts. about 20 minutes before i was scheduled to hit the mat, my coach and i realized that it was a gi competition...🤦🏽‍♂️

he looked me in the eyes and asked if i still wanted to compete. i paused for a moment, partially because i was caught off guard by the compliment of him even thinking it was a possibility for me. i had never touched or worn a gi before then, so the doubt was loud.

thankfully, the do-it-scared was louder! i said, “i’m here…let’s do it”.

that was the easy part. finding a spare gi, however, turned out to be harder than i imagined. coach went around the gym asking over six academies for a spare gi in my size…nothing. one woman tried to lend me hers…didn’t fit.

i was eventually pointed to a kind…AND firm…stranger that let me borrow his gi…under one specific condition: “don’t get your @$$ beat in this gi; it’s special.” 🫠

i finally make it to the mat. after a few minutes of stretching, the ref invites me and my opponent to join him. i was locked in. ready to do it scared. ready to slap bump and let the rest be history…..only to learn a few seconds later the patch on my gi was “too big” to compete 🙃

the ref gave me 7 minutes to find yet ANOTHER gi…or forfeit. luckily, there was another kind stranger nearby who let me borrow his gi, which allowed me to actually hit the mat.

i lasted just over 4 min into the 5 min match before tapping out from an arm bar. i impressed myself. i left that mat THOROUGHLY exhausted…soaked in satisfaction and pride. felt like i was tightly hugging my middle school self, reassuring him that i haven’t forgotten about him. 🥹💛

so much healing in coming back to the many paths-not-taken in my life #grateful🥋🙏🏽✨

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dear Auntie Dora,

it’s hard to believe that it’s been a WHOLLLLEE year since we celebrated our very first half-birthdays in Detroit. together with Danielle, Wanielle, and your road dog 😎, Jill, we made soooo many unforgettable memories in just a few days’ time (next time, i will make sure nothing starts before 4p 😂).

i know, for sure, i will never forget how much fun we had in that lap and pole dancing class with our new honorary Brinkley cuz, Des! 😆

what really sealed the deal for me, though…is when you shouted “aye, J…i LOVE you!” after class……..something in me settled when you let that one out. 🥹

i’ve always known you loved me beyond a shadow of a doubt; but, something about the inflection and matter-of-factness in your voice let ME know…that YOU know…that EYE love YOU!

it immediately made me think of one of my favorite (of course, there are MANY) memories of Travonne that i loooove to replay in my mind:

we were all cutting up at somebody’s retirement party and my mama let one of her infamous “i’m 29! twenty niiiiinee!” moments get the best of her. shaking my head, i rushed over to her side. but before i could get over there, Tray intercepted me. motioning me to chill with his hand and a chuckle, he reassured me, “J, i got her.”

in that moment, something in me settled. 🥹

i don’t know exactly why it moved me so much…because there are plenty of other times he’s demonstrated that he had my mama’s back…but that particular instance ALWAYS brings ease to my body and soul…and a smile to my face. 🥰

the more i think about it, i guess your “aye, J…i LOVE you!” landed on me as confirmation that i’m making good on the promise i made while standing over Travonne’s body for the last time: to ALWAYS do what i can with what i’ve got to make sure you that you are taken care of…..to do my part in protecting and amplifying your light so that as many people know what genuine joy, laughter, and love — that you so GENEROUSLY share — feel like……

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February, comes and goes, but we Never will. American History. #blackhistory #america #fyp #viral

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Year 35 has been amazing 💞 I was completely lost early-on this year. I fell into a job that I felt I had to do only to feel immense gratitude for now. I’ve deepen friendships with people I hope to look over and hold hands with at 80.

I have a level of love for myself I couldn’t imagine having this time last year, and I feel even closer to my best friend & sister who makes sure that I know every time that she can that I’m not too hard to love.

Now I’m starting back in my career that is even better than the one I was sobbing over earlier this year. This birthday the only real plan I had was to enjoy, and be present in the blessings surrounding me.

I thank every last person who has showed me love, grace, and kindness. Who have sincerely listened. It made a difference in this dark time, and held me closer to the light. I celebrate still being here to live, and that I truly want to still be here to live. Cheers 🥂🫶🏽🫂

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Gary just wanna go home 💀

🎥: @duke.gamble

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Motor City Pride was a MOVIE. Y’all packed out Upstairs Zuzu @experiencezuzu and brought the vibes all night long! 🔥

But we’re not done yet…

CLOSE FRENZ: EP. 2

📅 Sunday, July 27
🕕 6–11PM
📍LEVEL TWO – 535 Monroe Ave (Greektown)
🎧 @_iamrue + @iamvaughnnn

Rooftop energy. Detroit Black Pride. Let’s run it back 💨🧡

#CloseFrenz #Episode2 #DetroitBlackPride #SummerVibes

Shot by @digitalbydash 📸

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Babies first zip-line course 🧗🏽‍♀️

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not enough carousel to fit all the cuties in my life. there may be a part 3. cheers to 2024, in spite of it all.

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“Lodge Life: A Holiday Tale” 🤣
Happy Holidays ⛷️

#FriendsMas #Friends #Family #ChristmasParty #Luther #2024 #KendrickLamar #Funny #MerryChristmas #SkiLodgeParty #MiniMovie 🤣

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Happy 34th to meeee 🫂✨ 🥰💕 Thank you to my friends and family who made my birthday special this yearrrrr. It was hard to get the energy to even celebrate this year, but the love surrounding me last week was exactly what was needed 💗 I caught a cold by Saturday, but the heels were worth it.

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Who In Your Friend Group Would Be First To Die In A Scary Movie ?

NOT ME … “He’s A Runner He’s A Track Star!”
#ScarySeason #Halloween #HushHauntedHouse

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