Remembering Michael K. Williams (1966-2021)

As many of you know, the actor Michael K. Williams died last Monday. He’s known to many for his iconic roles in HBO’s The Wire, Boardwalk Empire and Lovecraft Country, as well as a nuanced supporting role in Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us, to name only a few. 

I was privileged to meet Michael because of a Hulu project that was filmed at Weeksville. I remember Michael’s amazement when he learned about the Black Brooklyn history we were preserving, something he’d never heard about even though he grew up in Flatbush. After that, Michael became an enthusiastic supporter of the institution. He happily agreed to be part of our Save Weeksville campaign video in 2019, and I’m sure he’s one of the many reasons for the campaign’s success. What I later learned about Michael was that Weeksville was just one of many causes and organizations he championed. 

The pandemic has made this a season of loss. Michael’s passing feels all the more sharp, not only because I knew him, but because he joins a growing list of Black men around my age who’ve left us in the prime of their lives recently: Rappers DMX, Shock-G of Digital Underground, Biz Markie and Zumbi of Zion-I; photographer Chi Modu, music producer Chucky Thompson; and Craig “Mums” Grant, another talented actor and poet. We’re not supposed to be leaving here in our 50s. Michael’s death is a sobering reminder, too, that we’re all fighting demons of one sort or another, and sometimes those demons win. 

I wrote on IG that “Smiles are flashes of light from the spirit.” I prefer to remember Michael smiling, showing joy, as he is in the photo above by Jesse Dittmar. I was also encouraged upon seeing this beautiful clip of fellow actor Wendell Pierce giving Michael his props. It’s what we mean when we say “give people their flowers” while they’re still here, and I’m so glad Wendell did exactly that. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a minute and 41 seconds. You’ll see what I mean. 

Rest well, Michael. 

BONUS: Check out these thoughtful reflections on Michael K. Williams from scholar Salamishah Tillett; The Undefeated‘s David Dennis; NPR’sTerry Gross; and a powerful remembrance in Brooklyn local outlet Our Time Press by community organizer Marlon Rice.