HBD, MKW! RIP
Known to the public as Vanderveer Projects, but The Veer to the community, Michael K. Williams’s block celebrated the late actor for his birthday. This September the notable The Wire actor was found dead at his Brooklyn home, with his death rocking the nation. This was a huge loss for Brooklyn, Hollywood and of course the friends and family of Williams. This is why his community refused to let his birthday, November 22, casually go by. Michael K. Williams was one of those people who no one had anything bad to say about. Every character witness was one of a sweet, caring man who wanted to uplift his people. He gave back to his community regularly and was adamant about encouraging the youth to be better than him. Williams acknowledged his humanity and was very transparent about his lifelong demons which included substance abuse and experiencing abuse as a young boy. The world knew about Michael K. Williams through the various roles he played but undoubtedly fell in love with him as his The Wire character Omar Little. Unfortunately, we lost this amazing human being too soon; and the people who knew Michael K. Williams in the most intimate and impactful ways were not going to let the fallen actor’s birthday pass without celebrating his life. On Michael K. Williams's birthday, The Veer hosted a block party in honor of Michael K. Williams. No amount of wind chill on a chilly November eve was going to stop the show! Everyone gathered, took pics, ate, joined community organizations, and most importantly celebrated the life of the phenomenal Michael K. Williams.
This block party had the works. There was music; sounds courtesy of DJ Scratch. The host was a Crew Count member and Hot97 personality, Shani Kulture. Crew Count is an organization that teaches the youth the importance of voting and how to vote. Members of this organization wore white sweatshirts with a graphic of Michael K. Williams and volunteered to make this street fair happen. A members named Dana put the entire event together, getting the local news, activations, vendors, restaurants and more fixings all to celebrate the life of Michael K Williams.
When guests enter the block party, they’re greeted by cotton candy and face painting to the left with the DJ booth to the right. Lovely Michael K Williams graphics spread across the main stage and people lined up for food and fun on that very chilly Brooklyn day. While the weather seemed to have impacted the turnout, people in attendance showed up and showed out for the late actor. Dancing, eating, fellowshipping in honor of the life and legacy Williams left behind. He did a lot of work for entertainment but was also quite active in the community outreach realm.
Shani Kulture | Rights of Rebecca Blanc
MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS WAS CELEBRATED ON HIS BIRTHDAY IN THE VEER
People came to The Veer between Foster Ave and Brooklyn Ave to enjoy free food, as meals were provided by Always Can Always Will Catering. The grill was hot and the cooks and servers happily served the East Flatbush community. BBQ Hamburgers, jerk chicken, hot dogs and french fries were on the menu, and no one seemed to find an issue with that. The proof is in the empty trays and full stomachs! Food trucks and tents were also present so block party guests could patron black-owned businesses while at the block party. This holiday week was a great time to remind consumers that they should support black business during this time of thanks and giving.
Always Can Always Will Catering | Rights of Rebecca Blanc
Always Can Always Will Catering | Rights of Rebecca Blanc
Throughout the event, a ceremony was held after people settled into the event. Aside from the music and dancing, there were a couple of activations to keep block party guests entertained. A 360 photo booth was stationed at the block party and people showed out when getting their photos taken. There was also a gaming truck where gamers gathered to play their favorite video games. Once the ceremony began, Shani Kulture hit the main stage and gathered the crowd. A lineup of speakers was involved in the ceremony, including a couple of elected city officials, Empire Elite Marching Band, The Wire Actors Sonja Shon and Gbenga Akinnagbe, and others who deeply loved and personally knew Michael K Williams. local news and other bloggers covered the event and everyone upheld the love, community and legacy of Michael K Williams.
The event coudln’t go by without singing happy birthday to the late celebrity either! The crowd sang the Stevie Wonder version of Happy Birthday, showing Williams a great heavenly birthday.
Speaker on the behalf of Michael K. Williams family | Rights of Rebecca Blanc
Rights of Rebecca Blanc
MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS NAME WILL LIVE ON
Gbenga Akinnagbe | Rights of Rebecca Blanc
Sonja Shon | Rghts of Rebecca Blanc
Everyone who spoke on Michael K. Williams spoke with love. They regard and remember this brother in light. A couple of videos were shared of Michael K. Williams speaking on the community and giving back. A clip showed the late actor outside of a shop with some young black boys. He uplifted these youth by calling them kings and inspiring them to live their best life. This was and is the power and influence Michael K. Williams had and has. He used his influence to inspire others, and many will never forget how wonderful Williams was to them.
Like I said this is his community, so people who knew Michael K. Williams before the fame and fortune were on that block.
“I live right around the corner”, says Mossa, a painter and long-time friend of Williams, “I always dressed differently and was weird back in the day- when it wasn’t ok to be weird. But Michael always accepted me. He liked that I did my thing and I always remember him for that”. When people speak highly of Michael K. Williams, it’s not to respect the dead, but to be transparent about his character. He always had compassion for others. Mossa felt it and so did a young Crew Count member. He and his three friends spoke on the main stage about Williams, remembering him through their experience of working with Williams at Crew Count. “At first I was like ‘wow’- he’s a celebrity. But after I really spoke to him I realized he’s an actual human being. Forget all that acting and roles. He was a real-life person and he really showed us a lot.” As the rest of the Crew Count members spoke on Michael K. Williams to then exit the main stage, this young man’s eyes were filled with tears. His fellow Crew Count member wipe his tears away with her sweatshirt sleeve. At one point when Shani Kulture spoke, a former speaker was audibly sniffling nearby. While this was a celebration of life, the pain is still very real. The world wasn’t ready to lose Williams and his absence, at last in the physical, is felt. There aren’t many people who could keep hundreds of people outside in the freezing cold for hours, but that’s how special Michael K. Williams was. People felt his presence and will continue his good work for the sake of the community. The Crew Count hashtag says it best: #WeBuildTheBlock. This sentiment was molded by Williams and those he left behind will always work for the sake of the betterment of the people.
District Elected Official | Rights of Rebecca Blanc
MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS IS GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
The pain of losing Michael K. Willams is still fresh. It’s only been a couple of months since his passing. While his community could’ve let his birthday pass by in a sober and mournful manner, they decided it was time to gather in celebration. Crew Count and various organizations gathered to make this event happen, and it was a success.
Although no amount of events will ever amount to Michael K. Williams being here, the efforts to keep his name alive are inspiring. Coming from the projects can evoke a lot of feelings. It’s a blessing that those Williams left behind felt nothing but love. They all appreciated the work his put into building his people, and they will always remember the wisdom his passed on. From mentor to ancestor, we remember you Michael K. Williams.
Happiest of birthdays.
