MEMORIES OF OUR BROTHER: A Wise, Dedicated Writer (Part V)
Please let Michael’s family know that Michael inspired me in my journey to publish my own book. He would always take the time to encourage and mentor me. I’ve actually known B-Way since I was a kid. He and my older sister, Tamekia Dixon, grew up around one another. I loved hearing stories he’d tell about people from our neighborhood. I could tell too many, so I’ll focus on his book One Foot In and his deepfelt desire to humanize the characters in his book with the hope of having the world respond to people from communities like Roseland with true respect and dignity.
— Mark “Yohanan” Dixon, Cohort 2
When I arrived at NPEP and introduced myself as a published author, Michael told me about his book on the way. We sat in the dayroom the day it went live on Amazon. I saw the same joy and sense of accomplishment that I had when my book did the same. I quickly ordered One Foot In. He autographed it and inspired me to work on my next book. The last study hall we attended, I read excerpts from his sequel. His legacy is established. He inspired and motivated me in ways I’ll never forget. Rest in Power.
— Jabari Nicks, Cohort 4
Michael was an inspiration. With all that he dealt with, he always continued to rise and overcome. As an aspiring author myself, seeing Michael fulfill a dream of writing and publishing One Foot In under the conditions of a carceral environment put into perspective what’s possible. He opened doors with his words and shined a light on all that we can do if we have the right mindset. He will be sorely missed not only by those who knew him personally but by the world that he was trying to positively impact. Rest in Peace, B-Way. We got you now.
— Ian Valencia, Cohort 4
One of the first conversations I had with Michael, he was showing me the cover art for his book One Foot In. I congratulated him and said, “That’s a great accomplishment.” He told me, “You’re gonna get a great education and be proud of yourself, but make sure you use this opportunity to leave your mark and create something memorable.” Michael was a true inspiration.
— Jason Gorham, Cohort 3
My heart aches in this moment. There is a memory that will forever stay with me. We were walking around the yard about 15 years ago, just building on our past, present, and what we dreamed for the future. I told him that I wanted to change the community. He said, “Cin, we are going to change the world one mind at a time.” I understood then, but today my understanding is really clear. B-Way set the example for me to make the needed change, and all I had to do is get one foot in their mind. I wouldn’t know it would turn into a book. That statement is a blueprint for change—one foot in their mind, one foot in their heart, then you are all in to help bring the needed change. I will forever love my brother. I will carry him with me in all that I do.
— Cincere Knowledge (Jamal Jones), Cohort 4
One of the last times I saw Michael was at his graduation. We were thrilled to have Ta-Nehisi Coates as the keynote speaker for NPEP’s inaugural graduating class, but he brought his prepared remarks on his iPad. While this would have been a perfectly ordinary plan at any other graduation, our students were graduating in a maximum-security prison, and even Ta- Nehisi Coates can’t just bring an iPad into Stateville. He would have to give his remarks off the cuff.
I remember being really moved that he spent so much time with the graduates while they were getting ready, donning their gowns, adjusting their caps, intermittently spot-checking and teasing one another about how they looked. When Coates stood to give his remarks, he explained his mistake and we all laughed at such a perfect anecdote to highlight the miracle at hand: where even Ta-Nehisi Coates cannot bring an iPad, these guys had just earned degrees from Northwestern University.
Going further, Coates immediately singled out Michael, noting that he had accomplished all of this while fighting late-stage cancer, and also, somehow, writing a book? Every person in the room beamed with pride. I'm not sure whether he knew yet (surely someone told him, eventually) but in the audience for Coates' address was Michael's mother, who that morning had seen and held her son for the first time in nearly two decades. It was an unforgettable day, in an unforgettable life. I will never forget him.
— Lauren Leydon-Hardy, founding GSAC member & admissions committee member for Cohort 1
