‘So much more’ than just an actor
B’KLYN NABE MOURNS WILLIAMS AS GREAT GUY, MENTOR TO TEENS
His character Omar Little knew the streets of Baltimore like no other and was confident enough to rip off drug dealers at the point of a shotgun — while communicating with police and prosecutors.
In the real world, actor Michael K. Williams was a rare criminal justice reform advocate who built meaningful relationships with NYPD cops and locals in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Anti-violence activists and teens who benefited from Williams’ mentorship told the Daily News on Tuesday they were heartbroken by his death of an apparent overdose.
“I was getting in trouble,” Marianne Batties, 17, said. “At first, I thought he was just a celebrity, but he was so much more than that. He was so insightful. He was just about getting us out of the ’hood.”
When she first crossed paths with Williams in 2018 through the Brooklyn youth program NYC Together, Batties was frequently fighting in school. Williams dedicated countless hours to mentoring Batties, who starts college this week and plans to study criminal justice.
She was still reeling from the “The Wire” actor’s death.
“When I first heard, I didn’t want to believe it. My whole day was cloudy, full of tears, but hope, too, and warmth at the same time,” she said. “He really gave me the strength to go through things and not give up. I’ll carry that with me forever.”
Dana Rachlin, director of NYC Together and We Build the Block, said Williams did substantive work, out of the view of cameras, improving police-community relations.
“He wasn’t about ‘let’s do a cops and kids basketball game.’ For him, it was deeper,” Rachlin told The News. “How do we create a community that is fair and safe, how do we address trauma, how do we address social issues? He was working closely with young people in communities that were overpoliced. He believed formerly incarcerated people should have a key role in developing public safety strategies. These weren’t one-offs. “
Williams also worked closely with the Brownsville Safety Alliance and Inspector Terrell Anderson, the 73rd Precinct’s commanding officer.
NYPD Lt. Edwin Raymond, one of Williams’ friends, credited the actor for not taking a hard-line stance on thorny issues surrounding police reform.
“New York City lost a true gem in the community. Someone who was so down to earth and never, ever forget where he came from,” said Raymond, who was endorsed by Williams in his recent unsuccessful run for City Council.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea called Williams’ death “sad.”
“It’s such a tragic case, where someone in the prime of his life dies,” Shea said. “He’s a tremendous talent and a great person.”
Williams found another ally in Capt. Derby St. Fort, now the commanding officer of the 61st Precinct in Gravesend. After an NYPD social-distancing crackdown riled residents in Brooklyn last year, Williams insisted on hitting the street with St. Fort to lift the spirits of cops and residents, Rachlin
recalled.
There were many more moments when Williams stepped up.
Williams helped organize “social justice” dinners with police officials, prominent New Yorkers, formally incarcerated people and regular folks. Rachlin said Williams had a knack for moving in different circles with ease.
“He talked a lot about healing trauma,” she said. “He used to always say people are like belly buttons. Some are innies and some are outies. Some people who are hurt are outies and they hurt other people, and some people who are hurt are innies and they hurt themselves.”
In April 2020, Mayor de Blasio slashed funding to the city’s summer youth employment program due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Williams and his friend, actress Lana Parrilla, raised $85,000 to fund jobs for 45 young people affected by gun violence or difficult upbringings.
At the end of last summer Williams addressed teens at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Gravesend, thanking them and praying for their resilience.
“We’ve all been knocked down, but today we celebrate the ability to get back up, to fight back our demons,” he said. “I thank God for these children and ask that you keep them encouraged. Show them that they are the truth and they can accomplish anything in this world.”
Batties was one of the teens listening that day.
“Mike influenced me to go to college and study criminal justice and try to change it within the system,” she said. “He opened my eyes to see all of the things that need to be addressed.”