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My people, mi gente...this past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend a very special event. Les Paultre, Nicole Paultre-Bell’s father invited me to attend Sean Bell Day. The event took place at the Baisley Park Extension in Queens this past Saturday August 23rd from noon till 7pm. On the corner of 150 st and Rockaway Blvd sat a police car and I wondered ….

if I was the only one a little disturbed by their presence? It was a beautiful day, the sun was bright and warm and there was not a dark cloud in the sky. It was warm and breezy and my beautiful people of color filled the park. Yes it certainly was a perfect day to hold this event. As soon as I entered the park all negative thoughts seeped out of my mind as I soaked up all of the love and unity around me. And there was plenty of both to go around and lots of smiles and shrieks of joy from the children as they slid down the humongous inflatable slide and as they jumped up and down in the bounce tent.



There was cotton candy and hot dogs and drinks and I asked Sean and Nicole’s 5 year old daughter Jada for some of her cotton candy and she looked at me with her big brown eyes, Sean's eyes and stuck it out for me to grab (yes I did have some and it was good!) I then asked her if she was having fun, she nodded her head yes “I’m playing and I’m going on the slide” “Well before you do that may I take your picture?” She looked at me with shy eyes and licked at her cotton candy, then one of her little cousins said “Go ahead smile for the picture” and she did, then she offered me some more of her licked up cotton candy and I declined, not because she licked it up but because there was so little left and she was truly enjoying it, then she ran off to the slide with her sticky cotton candy.

There was face painting and glitter and lots of friends and family laughing, loving and basking in the light of the sun and I know that Sean and the ancestors were looking over it all. Pioneer Living Legends DJ Divine and Cipher Sounds (The Original -not to be confused with Cipha Sounds) were spinning on the ones and a local singer took to the stage. I recognized some familiar faces and got kisses and hugs from “Lance Feurtado of The Infamous Feurtado Brothers “King of Kings” DVD, Dj Larry Love and my girl Christina Winslow founder of "A Cause, A Concern, A Solution" I got to meet Al Sharpton and Pearl Bailey’s Niece spoken word artist/singer Sheener Bailey. I heard Foxy Brown showed up a little later causing a ruckus with her presence and Senator Malcolm Smith was also present showing his support.

There were also plenty of bikers at the park. Earlier that day they had a “Sean Bell Ride for Justice” that began at the Western Beef Parking lot in Long Island at 9am and ended at 12 noon at Baisley Park Extension. At 12 noon there was an end of season ballgame for the boys in the Sean Bell Little League. Nicole had wanted to start a little league team in Sean’s honor since he was a baseball fan and dreamed of playing for the big leagues. Sean Bell was a pitcher for John Adams High School in Ozone Park, Queens. His senior year season ended with an 11-0 record, a 2.30 E.R.A. and 97 strikeouts in 62.2 innings. In college he would be scouted by The Dodgers. So on July 12th 2008 Nicole happily announced that the Sean Bell Little League Team was available to all the neighborhood boys and girls from ages 5-15.

As Nicole presented the children with their awards she was beaming as any proud mother would.


Nicole got on the microphone to thank everyone and she let the people know that they tried to stop her from having this event but she managed to make it happen for the community and Sean. Nicole is an inspiration to all women of color, she has managed to take a painful situation and do positive work in the name of the love of her life. She has a not-for-profit organization called “When It’s Real It’s Forever” that focuses on keeping Sean Bell’s memory alive and helping the community. She has joined forces with Senator Malcolm Smith to help stop violence in the community and has created the Rockaway Beachside Neighborhood Association.

Nicole Paultre-Bell, the pictures and television do her no justice, she has rare beauty, not a drop of make-up and she was stunning and she was so warm and friendly and she often touched the button with the picture of Sean on it (that she wore on her blouse) and everytime she did I swear my heart sank but then I'd watch her smile and walk among the people and shake hands and take pictures and run after Jada and I knew that she was ok and that she was a rock , a pillar of strength as most of us women are in our families. I watched as she fussed and ran around to make sure everything was alright. I watched as she stared off into the sky at times and I wondered how she could get through it all. I thought of how difficult it was to explain to her children that Daddy was now an angel in heaven.

I thought of how she wept on the witness stand.

I thought of how devestated and helpless she must have felt to hear the verdict and watch the officers who took the life -of the love of her life- walk away free. I was feeling so much for this woman, not pity my people, never that, but empathy, love, admiration and most of all a strong connection as a woman. I asked Nicole if she and I could take a picture together and she stood by my side and I became overwhelmed and couldn't help myself, I grabbed her and said "Come on and give me a hug" and maybe it was my enthusiasm but she let a little laugh escape her and she held me too. I see every woman in Nicole. I see greatness and I know I have shared a hug with a mother, a wife, woman who will save lives and make a difference in this world for our children and our people. I see a Hood Healer. I see my sister.

And I know this day was called "Sean Bell Day" but I will always see it as Nicole and Sean Bell Day, because that's how it was, is and always will be. Like her the name of the foundation says "When It's Real It's Forever".

It was a wonderful event, I just wished I would have seen more of my latino brothers and sisters there. Nicole and the family want everyone to know that the fight is not over. They are awaiting the outcome of the Department Of Justice investigation. Nicole and the family would like everyone to keep the discussion open on the internet and to keep supporting the cause. When I see pictures of Sean I see my brother, I hope you do too.

Nicole and the entire Paultre-Bell family would like to thank…

50 Cent and G-Unit 50 cent and his organization G-Unity Foundation they paid for the uniforms for the kids

The King of Kings Lance and Todd Feurtado

Dj Divine and Cipher Sounds

Rocawear who donated Tee Shirts that say REMEMBER….and have the names of all the people killed by the police

Foxy Brown

The Coaches who volunteered their services

Ralph Grier of Ralph’s Educational and Recreational Computer Services who donated tickets to The Mets vs. The Cubs Sept 22nd at Shea Stadium, to Nicole and all the children and coaches, over 100 tickets. Salute Ralph.

Regina/Caution of Sophisticated Ladies Social Club and C.I. of H&H Productions (coordinated the bike run for them)

All the bikers who participated in the bike run.

Senator Malcolm Smith

Western Beef who donated the food

And a special thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help serve and run the rides and everyone who came to the park to show support.

And of course Al Sharpton for his unwavering support

And I'd like to thank Les Paultre for always supporting me and E.G. Radio and for always keeping me in mind for events. I thank you and so does E.G. Radio and my nephew Daniel , my niece Caroline and my daughter Lil Lynx. They had the time of their life and made new friends.

And so did I.

E.G Radio, ExtravaGangsta Radio,
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