Above, watch a live stream of Mel Reeves’ Homegoing from Shiloh Temple I.M. on Vimeo.
Beloved activist and journalist Mel Reeves passed away on Jan. 6, 2022, after a nearly month-long battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia. He was 64 years old.
A community viewing for Reeves took place on Wednesday, January 12 from 3 to 7 pm at Estes Funeral Chapel. The Celebration of Life service took place on Thursday, January 13 at 4 pm at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, located at 1201 West Broadway Avenue North in Minneapolis, with a visitation at 3 pm. Shiloh Temple also streamed the service (see above).
Reeves described himself as a political and human rights activist, journalist/commentary writer, and organizer. He had a long and storied history with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR), serving most recently as the community editor. He worked diligently and passionately to center the voices of the African American community and bring issues of equity and equality to the forefront of the paper right up until his untimely passing.
Some have said the pen is mightier than the sword, and Mel might have agreed, but he also thought two weapons are better than one and waged his lifelong campaign against injustice with his mighty pen in one hand and the sword of righteousness in the other.
Find more about Reeve’s life and legacy here. Find his stories here and his column Mellaneous here.
I looked for you through crowds
and took in the set of your brow
above those wise eyes
filled with compassion
fueled by your passion for humanity
I listened to your voice
sort through the day’s insanity
focused on reality
exposing sharp disparities
defending human dignity.
Words crafted not to fade
in brilliance settled to the page
linger, to process in the mind;
dig deeper, gems of wisdom find
in gifts that you have left behind;
gifts left for us and we
to use to set the captives free,
uphold human dignity,
to carry on the legacy.
Through us, let not your presence cease;
urge us to Justice -then Peace.
©terrymosermcannany Jan 8 2022
In honor of Melvyn Gilbert- Reeves, Justice Warrior Seeking Peace