MEMORIES OF OUR BROTHER: A Loving Sense of Humor (Part III)
Michael and I share a myriad of memories together. I will surely miss how silly, funny, and lighthearted he was. Michael would often introduce himself as my father (Tory’s father) when speaking of his accolades and aspirations. It didn’t matter who it was, especially our professors, staff, and students at NPEP. This was Broadway’s way of welcoming outside guests to our space. Although this was his way of joking with me, I found a sense of pride, honor, and joy knowing I was worthy of him loving me and supporting me like a father should a son. He will be forever in our hearts.
— Taurean “Tory” Decatur, Cohort 1
My favorite memory actually entails a collection of all of our encounters. You see, whenever we were around each other, he would find a way to put everyone at ease with a funny or sly quip. For example, in our English class with Professor Cutler, I read a passage from a required reading —Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldúa—in Spanish. When I finished, with a serious face Broadway was like, “I taught him that.” Everyone laughed and the room was at ease.
— Lynn Green, Cohort 1
B-Way always knew how to make a life lesson sound humorous. One day I asked him if he ever spent time in juvie (juvenile detention), and he said, “Almost. Once, when I was 14, my mom took forever coming to get me from the police station. I mean, she took a long time coming to get me. I was so glad to see her when she showed up.” I guess this would be my favorite memory because we laughed about it together.
— Abdul-Malik Muhammad, Cohort 1
I became fast friends with B-Way around 2016 or so. It seemed as if we were in every program together. I appreciated his friendship and having him in class with me because he was always positive and uplifting. Despite his intelligence, he seemed to feel that he had a lot of intellectual growing to do, so his inquisitive nature led him to absorb all that he could learn from his teachers and peers.
B-Way moved in a way that exuded love for anyone he interacted with. I know that I felt his love and genuineness every time I saw him. I was able to experience that love on June 18, 2024, the day before he passed away. We were in line waiting to be escorted to the dining room for lunch when he noticed me behind five or six other guys standing behind him. The instant he saw me, he flashed that big ol’ smile and began to walk toward me with his hand in the air. When he reached me, he slammed his hand into mine, squeezed and pulled me in for an embrace. He never failed to greet me and show me love every time I saw him.
I won’t say that was the last time I’ve experienced his love because his love lives on in me and everyone who experienced his love. I love you B-Way. You will be forever missed and forever in my heart. May you live eternally in God’s loving embrace, peace, and care.
— Benny Rios Donjuan, a friend
The first time I meet B-Way was back in Menard. I was working as a janitor. One day he called me to his door and looked up at me and said “Man, you are a huge dude. You must have played football!” I looked him square in the eyes and said “Nope. I used to be a model—a runway model.” We stared at each other for a minute before we busted up laughing. Ever since then we made each other laugh.
— Dedric “Champ” Moore, Cohort 3
