THERE IS NOGREENHOUSE
WITHOUT AN ENTIRECOMMUNITY
OF PEOPLEThere is no GREENHOUSE without an entire community of people supporting, encouraging, and holding me accountable with love and compassion in their own special ways. In advance, I’m sure there are folks my brain may be forgetting. Please charge any oversight to my head and not my heart. Giving myself grace in advance. I appreciate you.
Creator
How majestic is Your name in all of creation; thank You for the magical moments that remind me of Your wonder. Thank you for vision and wisdom that don’t fade. May you always direct my heart that I may be trusted with “Higher”.
To my Sons: Maddox and Mayson
THANK YOU for loving me, and teaching me, and for being the big ol’pep in my big ol’ step. I love you in ways I never knew I could love. Thanks for all the gray hairs and sunshine. Being your Mom has been the biggest challenge and honor of my life. I love you.
To my first children—my younger siblings: Mary, Mara, and Reggie Jr.
I love you so much it aches sometimes. Thank you for being my motivation since the beginning. It’s an honor and privilege to be your big sister. Thank you for your support of this work.
To my parents: Marcy and Gomez
Thank you for giving me the gift of life and for all the lessons our life together has taught me. I honor you and love you.
My grandmother Frankie, Maga, Yaya
Thank you for every single investment and sacrifice. I owe you everything and love you eternally. I hope I’m making you proud down here. The OG Pink Elephant.
Greg Artry Jr.
HEAVY ON THE JR! My favorite drummer. My mirror. Thank you for your support of me, and for contributing in countless ways (on and off the court) to the creation of this record.
Cazeau Academy: Chanel and Tony Cazeau
Thank you for every prayer of open doors, every lesson, every single show of guidance, and encouragement. Every opportunity. Every vote of confidence. I need my letterman jacket ASAP, please!
Ellen Kaulig and Frankye Payne
Thank you doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. GREENHOUSE doesn’t happen without you two. Your contributions are too far, deep, and wide to name. Just thank, thank, thank you for believing in me, my work, my family, and for all the work you do for Creatives and Small Businesses in Chicago.
Arnell Newman
Thank you for always believing in me and in my work. Your support of this record has been invaluable - and your partnership unmatched. Thank you and Cyndee, so much, for everything!
The Field Foundation
Thank you for valuing the work of independent artists and place makers.
PullmanArts
Thank you for supporting local artists and for being a wonderful partner and collaborator.
My 3Arts family
Thank you for the BIG work you do for artists. Special shout out to my friend DJ Duane Powell; a gem to this world and the ever so wonderful (and thorough) Sara Slawnik.
3Arts Doners
Jon Satrom • Brenda Turner • Sarah Ponder • Stacy Sias • Paul Wiggin • Avery Young • Tiara Fields • Vanessa Jimenez • Cheryl Reese • Jennifer Hodges • Thomas Macchione • Lisa Harrell • Jeff Dillard • Yolanda Ellis • Arnell Newman • Dianna McBride • Roslyn Green • Joyce Hurley • Keya Trammell • Tony Cazeau III • Mikhel Paul • Michelle Wingard • Joseph Harrington • Jacqueline Kennedy • Jimmy Proctor • Abstrak Mind • Schlida Young • Sharice Cooper • Emily Duron • Lorie Smith • Christy Howard-Steele • Michelle Jenkins • Carolyn Thompson • Linda Spears • Floyd Reed Jr • Tracey Robison • Natasha Richards • Dr. Alise Barrymore • Marcia Martin • Aut Montgomery • Shaylen Hardy
Arnell Newman of Soulistic 360
Thank you for always believing in me and in this work. Your support of me has been invaluable. Thank you so much for everything!
Tribegang: Michael Jefferson
You’re a master at what you do. THANK YOU for assembling a DREAM team of thee best goons; and for being an angel considerate enough to come on down here on Earth.
Kalamazoo Family
August 18, 2008 changed my life. Thank you to Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative for sewing seeds— GREENHOUSE is part of their fruit coming to harvest. Michelle S. Johnson and Denise Miller, thank you. To one of my best friends in the whole wide world, Dr. Kandace R. Lavender, THANK YOU for loving me in ways that are specific to me. Shout out to my force of a sister, Mary Crosby. Thank you for every collaboration, road trip to support a concert, and for lending your ear to my countless ideas.
ATL Crew
Mike King, Swank Swank, Just Alex, Auni, Nichol, Kahncept our time in Atlanta was truly something I’ll never forget. The vulnerability and transparency brought us into the space to create this body of work. Thank you for lending me your time, talent, skill, and for allowing me to share my heart with you.
Marquis Hill
I am thankful for our friendship. You are the best of the best. Thank you for believing in this project, holding my hand through the process, and for bringing the vibe like only you can. I’m infinitely grateful for you.
VSOP: Matt Hennessy / Ty Caughill
From a single bouquet of Roses, to a fully grown garden, you’ve been there showing me the way. Thank you! Shout out to my dear friend Charlie Coffeen for the intro. I appreciate you.
Sweetwater Foundation
Thank you for the good work you’re doing toward the advancement of social justice and sustainability in our community. Emmanuel, the tears I cried while visiting were real. I am forever thankful for you and your team for the love, hospitality, and education you extended to me during our photoshoot.
Blair Taylor of The Lion’s Den
Blair Blair you’re 1 of 1. Thank you for all the hours you contributed to pulling this off and for holding my hand through this process with grace like only you can. I appreciate you.
PAB | THE EMMAUS COMMUNITY
Thank you to my church family for being a vessel in the goodness of God with the support of GREENHOUSE. Thanking God that both you, Rev. Dr. Alise Berrymore and the entire Emmaus Community saw it not robbery to pour into this; a dream realized!
Pink Elephant Creatives Team
Blüm
My right arm! You are a Godsend—there’s no other way to explain our meeting. As executive assistant you have kept the train moving and strengthened the legs holding this company up. I am immensely grateful to you and for you! Your contributions are immeasurable. Thank you for everything Blüm!
Callie Forest
Our newest addition to the team! Thank you for translating this journey into colors and graphics that speak for not only the brand but the artistic side of the vision. Appreciate every detail and all the time spent making things just right!
Chelsey Carter Sanders
The Beyoncé of our team?! What is an excuse to you?? You don’t even understand the concept. You only understand excellence and execution—and you make us all better for it. Thank you for the countless, quite literally countless, contributions you make to PEC. High key, our secret sauce. Thank you for sharing your magic with us. We appreciate you.
Glam / Creative Team
Henrí Mitchelle: Makeup Artist
Thank you Henrí for always bringing the vision to life with my makeup. Not only are you the best painter, but you educate on skin care along the way. An invaluable asset to this team and I am grateful for you!
Chelsey Carter Sanders:
Dress/Hat
Designer/Creative Director
Chelsey, wow! Your style, your grace, your skill. Good Gawd, your SKILL (Y’all see these flowers on this gorgeous dress?? Hand sewn by this FORCE of a woman). Your thoroughness, your fierceness…Your friendship is a gift. Thank you for your commitment to excellence. You led the charge with this entire project, and it couldn’t have been in better hands. Thank you!
Mikey Mendoza:
Photographer/ Videographer
Thank you for turning this unforgettable dream into a permanent reality! I will share with my children and grandchildren the visuals from this project for years to come. Thank you for adding to my tangible legacy!
Tacara “Spiff” Sutton:
Nail Technician
Thank you for always understanding the assignment! An artist in your own right using nails as a vehicle to tell authentic stories that delicately portray a beautiful collaboration between you and whomever sits in your chair. You are one of one and I appreciate your attention to detail.
To the incredible crew of musicians who contributed so much heart, soul, talent, and skill—Thank you for being amazing humans and so wonderful to work with. The best of the absolute best!
Marquis Hill: Trumpet
Vibe dealer, universal healer. We’re better because you are.
Brent Griffin Jr.: Alto Saxophone
You didn’t have to hurt us like that on Zombie, Brent. But we’re glad you did!
Mike King: Piano
BIG MIKE! Thank you for all the good vibes in ATL. So glad to have you part of this record. Thank you!
Jahari Stampley: Piano
OUR STAR. Love to see you shine, and so thankful you graced us with your genius on this record. Thank you!
Tony Cazeau: Piano (Roses: Bonus Track)
DR! Thank you for all the ways you show up for me. Having your part of this release means so much to me. Thank you!
Amr Fahmy: Piano
From road trips to Detroit, studios to stages—-you’ve been solid. Thank you for contributing to this record!
Maurice Fitzgerald: Bass
THEE MO FITZ?! Thank you so much for bringing that soul stirring groove I love so much. Glad to have you on the record. Thank you!
Greg Artry Jr.: Drums
HEAVY ON THE JR! My favorite drummer. My mirror. Thank you for your support of me, and for contributing in countless ways (on and off the court) to the creation of this record.
Sherren Olivia: Background Vocals and Arrangement
Sherren, your voice is like pure honey. You radiate grace and charm—the perfect addition to the cascading florals I was looking for on bgvs. Thanks for bringing your sunshine to this project.
Mannaseh Croft: Background Vocals, Vocal Arrangement
NESS! You don’t even play fair, and for that—-we’re grateful! You are an ALIEN. Just go sit down somewhere and think about what you’ve done! Haha. Your voice mixed itself in the studio—that’s wild. This project wouldn’t be the same without all you added. I’m forever grateful for your expertise in executing the vision perfectly. THANK YOU for helping me get to the finish line.
Junius Paul: Bass
JUNI! You know I’d fight the world for you. You prioritized this project at an unthinkable time, and I’ll never forget your sacrifice. Thank you!
I have found that the only way out is through. Learning to inhale all the beauty this life has to offer was the cure my heart needed. The colors are even more beautiful, the fragrance is ever the more sweet! Like a bouquet of freshly picked flowers from my…. GREENHOUSE. With that, If you need me, I’ll be over here minding my business—sipping tea and *pulling weeds.
*if you change the lyric to smoking—that’s your business. *wink*
XOXO,
Meagan McNeal