08/18/2026
Rosa Parks was not the first Black passenger arrested or forced off a bus. Claudette Colvin (1939–2026), Mary Louise Smith, and countless others, many of whose names were never recorded, came before Parks. Change required a perfect storm and community support.
Parks’ unwavering courage and her young attorney, Fred David Gray. He was just 25 at the time; he is now 95. Gray and the movement’s organizers put everything on the line to bring her case before a nation ready, at last, to wrestle with justice across racial lines.
Long before Nolan Wells, Black families across America buried children lost to violence, silence, and unanswered questions, such as Kendall Joseph, a mother of four. Today, Nolan’s legal team is led by Benjamin L. Crump, joined by Reverend Al Sharpton and hero Jeanetta Brantley, a private citizen who stepped forward, the audio engineer who deciphered the Sea Tow audio.
Where we once marched with our feet, we now merge our stills on social media, doing all we can for truth.
Mr. Wells’ death keeps us focused on the goal of truth. We must support a local or national organization in the community interest.
Nolan Xavier Wells, August 19, 2007 - July 6, 2026. One of his favorite Scriptures was Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Our condolences go out to his family.
Sources & hashtags ~ Composite image of Ebony January 2006
Haniyah, P. “A Black Woman Enhanced the Audio in a Call Related to Nolan Wells’ Case. What She Heard Has People Listening Closely.” Yahoo News, 28 July 2026, yahoo.com/news/us/articles/black-woman-enhanced-audio-call-180000532.html and lockettwilliams.com/obituary/nolan-wells & Wikipedia) Brantley
