Blogging Black Miami

Shooting death of Will "Da Real One" Bell takes toll on community

 

 

by Vanessa "Va-Va" Woodard Byers

 

Willie L. Bell, Jr. BKA Will “Da Real One” Bell, was gunned down early last Sunday morning as he was leaving his North Miami club, The Literary Café and Poetry Lounge. Various news reports describe him as a “poet” but Da Real One was more than that. He was a businessman, poetry guru/advocate and community activist.  

I learned of his death through William “DC” Clark’s Facebook profile page. Clark was in disbelief as were others. I did what I usually do when there is breaking news, jump on Twitter and search for tweets on the topic. Oh yeah, it was true. Another victim of gun violence. When does the madness stop?

Here is but one of the touching tributes to Bell from a friend on Facebook:

Day two without WILL DA REAL ONE !!!

by Errol Bigdee Bryant on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 11:26am

Day two with out WILL DA REAL ONE,still trying to wrap my head around it but cant.thinking back many years ago while talking with him,he said he was going to change the poetry game he was going all in full speed ahead.me being the negative person i was at the time i said poetry is for "SUCKERS",he just laughed and looked at me and in comedic Will fashion told me then just sit back and watch me "SUCK" the life outta everybody with the words im gonna spit out my mouth.Lesson learned bro,you said it and you did it,and we all love you for that and the person you were to all.you will forever be an iconic figure,not just in the hood but world wide,because you touched lives any and everywhere you graced with your presence.

I only met Bell once several years ago. He was a cool guy. The spoken word community was devastated. Friends and those he mentored poured out their hearts on social media outlets. Mainstream media captured his tragic death from local news to CNN International.

Several fans showed respect for Bell at a candlelight vigil today. Of course there was candlelight, spoken word and tears. Will Bell overcome many obstacles in his life to provide an outlet for poets and, ironically, encourage young people to stop the violence.

There were witnesses to his shooting and it’s likely someone will come forth with information. Will Da Real One was loved by too many for this case to go cold. Anyone with information on this crime should contact the North Miami Police Department 305-891-8111 or Crimestoppers at 305-371-TIPS.

Photo Credit: Will Da Real One Facebook Tribute Page

 

Related Links:

Readers react: Will “Da Real One” Bell remembered

Local poet Will “Da Real One” gunned down in North Miami

What Will "Da Real One" Bell Sounded Like

Miami-area poet Will Bell gunned down

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Well-known Miami poet shot dead outside his cafe

Friends Pay Tribute to Slain Poet

Poet gunned down outside his business

Miami-Area Poet Gunned Down

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Poet honored after shooting

Will Bell was shot outside his Literary Cafe and Poetry Lounge early Sunday ...

 

Community Health Fair, Sat. March 19

 

Don't miss Bruce Weber's exhibition Haiti/Little Haiti at MOCA

 

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), North Miami presents Bruce Weber: Haiti / Little Haiti through February 13, 2011. This extraordinary exhibition of photographs of Miami’s Haitian community by celebrated photographer Bruce Weber is part of MOCA’s Knight Exhibition Series and includes approximately 75 photographs taken by Weber from 2003 to 2010. Bruce Weber: Haiti / Little Haiti is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami and is curated by MOCA Executive Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater.

In 2003, The Miami Herald published a magazine supplement of Bruce Weber's photographs of Miami's Haitian community. The photographs were Weber’s response to an unjust U.S. immigration system in which Haitian men, women and children were detained indefinitely unlike refugees from other countries who were typically released to family or friends while awaiting asylum hearings. The documentary film, The Agronomist, by Jonathan Demme, had been Weber’s call to arms.  In it, Demme chronicled the life of Haiti’s most famous journalist, Jean Dominique, the founder of Radio Haiti Internationale, and his murder by unknown assailants in 2000. Incensed by the violence, political strife, and poverty depicted in the film, Weber asked Demme what he could do, and Demme suggested turning his attention to what was happening to Haitians in Miami, where Weber had a home. Compelled to tell the story of the struggle of Haitian immigrants, Weber immersed himself in the Haitian community, which he has continued to chronicle through the present.

Bruce Weber is renowned for revolutionizing fashion photography and the same formal elements that make his fashion and celebrity photographs so forceful contribute to the impact of his Haitian photographs.  As Bonnie Clearwater notes, “The strong sense that the figures exist in real space and can be touched, caressed, and embraced makes us feel as though we know or would like to know each of these individuals, and consequently we become concerned with their fate.”

“In his fashion shoots he captures what he sees in the models – beauty, youth, strength. This holds true as well for his Haitian photographs.  These images convey what he sees and admires in the Haitian children and adults he photographs, -- their strength, pride, resilience, elegance and beauty,” Clearwater said.

Weber chose primarily to work in black-and-white for the project, but switched to color film when photographing Haitian Flag Day celebrations. Over the years he has built up a large archive of photographs of Haitian celebrations, church congregations, Little Haiti stores and boulevards, as well as portraits of individuals, groups, and families. Weber’s presence is welcomed in Miami’s Haitian community. 

Miami’s rising Haitian leaders, politicians, artists and entertainers have also posed for Weber.  He generally photographed these professionals in their element. The immigration crisis earlier in the decade made it imperative for Haitians to become more visible and influential. In his unique way, Weber has captured images of a dynamic, diverse and evolving community, bringing the Haitian neighborhoods of Miami to a wider international audience.

A catalogue featuring an essay by Bonnie Clearwater, poems by Edwidge Danticat, and writings by Bruce Weber and Alberto Ibarguen, will accompany the exhibition.

Bruce Weber: Haiti / Little Haiti is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami and is curated by MOCA Executive Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater.

The exhibition is made possible with major support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Media sponsorship is provided by The Miami Herald. The exhibition coincides with Art Basel Miami Beach.  Additional support is provided by Irma and Norman Braman.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 770 NE 125th Street, North Miami, FL 33161. For information, call 305.893.6211 or visit www.mocanomi.org.

 

NAACP political forum features the Rev. Al

The Reverend Al Sharpton is scheduled to participate in the upcoming political forum sponsored by the Miami-Dade branch of the NAACP on Monday, October 18, 2010 at New Birth. The forum, which is sure to be well-attended, starts at 6 pm. The church is located at 2300 NW 135 Street, Miami.

There are a number of important races and amendments on the ballot. Don't miss the forum and come out so you can be an informed voter. Please spread the word.

Some donors outraged money collected for Haiti earthquake relief not released

Posted on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010

 

Where is the money? City sits on Haiti fund

By NADEGE CHARLES

 

In the days after the January earthquake devastated Haiti, residents and business owners opened their pocketbooks to help the crushed nation, giving thousands to the city of North Miami -- purportedly for American Red Cross relief efforts.

Mayor Andre Pierre, who was born in Haiti, flew to the Caribbean nation in July and presented a ceremonial, oversized check to Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.

Yet, nine months later, the $116,300 in donations sits in a city bank account, outraging donors.

 

Read More...

 

 

Foreclosure prevention workshop, March 2

Andre Pierre is North Miami Mayor

Congratulations to Andre Pierre, North Miami's next mayor. Also victorious were Michael Blynn and Jean Rodrigue Marcellus who won council seats.

Frank Wolland who lost to Pierre in the mayor's race, congratulated his opponent in the hard fought race. Potential drama may be defeated candidate Michelle Garcia's challenge to the eligibility of Marcellus. Garcia alleges Marcellus has not lived in North Miami for a year.

North Miami run-off election

The result of the City of North Miami mayoral race and two council seats may be decided today. Actually, it's already after the polls closed so we expect to hear something regarding results.

Unfortunately but not unexpectedly the election had its share of drama from vandalism, racism and accusations of illegal campaigning. Who knew there was such excitement in North Miami politics?

I surfed across this interesting website and video. Based on the coverage by the reporter, if Andre Pierre is victorious, there could be litigation before he is sworn in. Stay tuned.

Oh yeah, if you were eleigible to vote and didn't; don't complain.

Alix Desulme wins North Miami City Clerk; run-off for mayor and council seat

Congratulations to Alix Desulme on his victory in the North Miami City Clerk race decided on Tuesday. He defeated Carol Besade-Preger 2,267 – 1,971. The June 2 runoff will see Andre Pierre against Frank Wolland for mayor; Michael Blynn against Bonnie Schwartzbaum for District 2 council member and Michelle Garcia against Jean Marcellus for District 3 council member.

Metro PCS store robbed across from North Miami police station

Clerk threatened during robbery of Metro PCS store in North Miami

Check out Channel 7's coverage of the robbery of the Metro PCS Store on NE 125^th street in North Miami. The store clerk was terrorized by two young men and even had a gun pointed to her head.

These guys were brazen enough to commit the robbery across the street from the North Miami police station. You know the cops are ticked off at the disrespect. The thieves got away with about $1,500. The young lady was not physically injured although she must be a nervous wreck after that incident.

Now, let's break this down. You see, those two guys make it bad for all the young black men just minding their own business and trying to be successful in life. Those two young men would want the community to come to their rescue if the cops went up side their heads a few times. Well, the foolishness needs to stop. It's likely that they have family and friends who condone the thievery. And criminals like them don't care about you or me. It's a shame.

Prayerfully, the crooks will be caught and punished to the full extent of the law. If anyone witnessed the robbery or saw the robbers leaving the store or know who those guys are, call the North Miami Police. Think you're being a snitch? Well, think about you or a family member could be the next victim.

 

FOR THE BROTHERS ONLY: When women ---and they don't have to be white --- clutch their purses when you get on an elevator or pass you on the street; this is why. When store clerks watch you as if you're going to steal something; this is why. It doesn't make it right to stereotype people but it is what it is. Do something to change that, please.