The day I met Rev James Bevel
One day in 2002, I had the unexpected honor of meeting the late, great Dr. James Bevel. At first, I was in awe — speechless, even. A brother of mine, Scott Muhammad, called me early that Saturday morning. Scott was a man I loved and respected deeply, a man of GOD with uncommon logic and reasoning.
At the time, Scott was volunteering at a homeless shelter. Later, he would move into the shelter full-time, relocate families to Wisconsin, and eventually build an agricultural college from the ground up. That’s the kind of man Scott is. That morning, he told me he had someone I needed to meet.
When I arrived, Scott asked if I knew of Dr. James Bevel. Of course I did — he was part of the SCLC with Dr. King. But Scott smiled and said, “History doesn’t tell it all. Dr. Bevel was the one who brought Dr. King into the Movement as its leader. And today, you’re going to meet him.”
I was frozen with a mix of confusion, excitement, and pure glee. Here was a man I had only known from history books in middle school — standing in front of me, flesh and blood. He reached out his hand, and when I looked into his face, there was a ghostly familiarity, like I had known him all along.
Scott explained that Dr. Bevel was working on a project — a documentary to reveal the untold truth of the Civil Rights Movement — and he wanted me to direct it. Then Dr. Bevel himself leaned in and said, “If you take this on, you will go down in history as one of the greatest Black directors of all time.”
I was honored, humbled, and ready for the task. But when we returned to the church connected to the shelter, I noticed two things in his speech that unsettled me deeply. Something shifted, and I told Dr. Bevel I would think about it. Around the same time, I was offered an internship at CBS Studios in Hollywood, and I chose that path instead, believing it would prepare me for whatever came next.
Years later, on December 19, 2008, while filming a documentary for Tavis Smiley, an email reached me: “Rev. James L. Bevel died today.” I didn’t even know the sender, but I was strangely grateful they told me. I couldn’t attend his funeral, but I never forgot that Saturday morning in Chicago.
Dr. Bevel’s life was a paradox. He was one of the sharpest minds of the Civil Rights Movement — the man who convinced Dr. King to let the children of Birmingham march, flooding America’s conscience with images of courage and brutality that helped change history. He stood at Selma, helping to birth the Voting Rights Act. He spoke with the fire of a prophet and bent the arc of history toward justice.
Yet, the same man who once inspired a nation later fell into darkness — marked by erratic choices, destructive allegiances, and a conviction for incest that left his legacy scarred. His life forces us to ask: how can one man embody both the courage to liberate millions and the capacity to betray those closest to him?
For me, meeting him was unforgettable. It was a glimpse into both the greatness and the brokenness of our leaders. I leave the sins of his past to those who were directly affected. As for me, I hold to the hope that he found redemption in JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SAVIOR.
He who has an ear let him hear!
I know some of you are mainstream media outlets coming here to get your talking points. It's ok I'm not upset I want this info out there no matter who it comes from. All I ask is that you give me credit for my hard work.
If you have celebrity news, political news, or if you are an artist or entertainer and want to share contact us.
PLEASE LIKE SHARE, FOLLOW, COMMENT BELOW & JOIN US (Subscribe) :
Editors Note: All articles are my words, my thoughts, and authentically me. I would appreciate it, if you use my material just give me credit. That would be greatly appreciated!
- WillyBill
Comments
Post a Comment