by Nayaba Arinde
NEW YORK—“The tall man of 6’9”, who ranked head and shoulders above most of his contemporaries and over those who claimed to work for the cause of liberation for our people, was a true giant,” said the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, in a letter reflecting on the life and legacy of his friend, longtime radio and broadcast pioneer Bob Law. (See page 2)
Mr. Law was funeralized Thursday, April 9, to Saturday, April 11, at his ornate family church, the Historic First Church of God in Christ, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Family and community members came from as far as Philadelphia and Florida to attend the wake, funeral service, and burial for Mr. Law who passed away peacefully March 30, his family stated. (See The Final Call, Vol. 45 No. 27)
The Bed Stuy, Brooklyn-born and raised activist broadcaster hosted his hugely popular ‘Night Talk’ weeknight midnight to 5:00 a.m. show on New York’s WWRL, which in 1981 became the first live, nationally syndicated Black radio talk show. He later went to WBAI 99.5 FM with his “From the Streets” program.
With enlightening recollections about Mr. Law, Rev. Diane Lacey began the funeral service on April 10. His longtime friends Eugene Carson and Buster Soaries brought compassion and shared stories about his life. Rev. Joe Williams and Rev. Joseph Clemmons kept the faith front and center as they praised Bob Law’s authentic drive to uplift his people.
Eugene Carson read proclamations from State Senator Cordell Cleare, Assemblywoman Stefani Zinerman, and a message from Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also presented a framed proclamation to the Law family.
As she arrived early for her soundcheck, internationally beloved singer Melba Moore said that Bob Law was, “A great man, a great citizen, great community servant, and just full of love for everybody, and very courageous.
It is a great loss. He was a crusader, and he really helped us to fortify our identity, not to give it away. He always reminded us that we are fine just how we are, and we are Black, and that’s a great thing.”
In Minister Farrakhan’s letter, read at the Friday service, by Nation of Islam Student Eastern Regional Minister Arthur Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan continued, “Bob Law was always working and studying to improve his service to our cause of liberation.
His radio shows were monuments of study, knowledge, and commitment to the rise of our people. He was a deeply spiritual man who loved his church and loved his faith, and he showed that in the way he carried out whatever he spoke, whatever he engaged in as work or service.
He did it all with remarkable dedication and love. This is why this unusual man will be known and loved by those who have known him and loved him. … Bob Law’s record of service to us and our causes of Freedom, Justice, and Equality is unequaled by most of us who claim to serve.”
His daughter Abina Law Napier said, “I appreciate all of the love, for the impact that my father had in this community, and how treasured he was, and he really loved his people. This love is a healing and a blessing for me to know how much he impacted others.”
Longtime activist and MOVE member Pam Africa shared a tribute from Mumia Abu Jamal, former broadcaster and incarcerated journalist, with The Final Call.
He began, “Bob Law—a master griot. Tall. Outspoken and well-opinionated. He was a star of Black talk radio. He took up issues great and small and listened as legions of Black callers flooded his lines, and he met all comers with wit, wisdom, and Black compassion.
His show often sent radio waves into the dark ether of night, offering interviews and insight to callers around the nation. His show was called ‘Night Talk.’ Rennie Bishop, former program director of the famed WWRL, produced Law’s show, and he called Bob Law a lighthouse standing in the storm … a bright, unblinking light in the darkness giving voice to the Black freedom struggle.”
Brooklyn community activist Olanike Alabi called Mr. Law, a brilliant, legendary radio host and personality.
“Mr. Law raised the consciousness of so many, including mine, with his show ‘Night Talk.’ He stood up against racism, oppression, classism, irresponsible neighborhood community development, which prioritized profit over people, and so much more.
He opened neighborhood businesses, including Namaskar Health & Wellness and a Seafood Cafe in Prospect Heights, as well as a book/art/clothing store in Fort Greene. He was committed to shopping and hiring local. … He always encouraged me to ‘fight the good fight.’ He will be missed!”
Brooklyn Assemblymember Stefani L. Zinerman noted that, “Bob Law was the conscious voice of Black radio and a guardian of our community’s truth. He didn’t just inform us—he transformed us, reminding us to care for our minds, our bodies, and our people. His legacy calls on all of us to remain about the business of us.”
Harlem’s Senator Cordell Cleare honored Bob Law with a proclamation. She noted that “Whereas a great State is only as great as those individuals and organizations who perform exemplary service on behalf of their communities.
Whether through unique achievement in professional or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; and … whereas Black Power and empowerment guided all of his life pursuits, including his passion for radio … and about wellness, and for many years.”
December 12th Movement chairman Omowale Clay said, “I have known Bob Law as long as I have known Viola Plummer [the late co-founder of D12]. And they were best friends in that regard for decades. And so whatever Bob was doing, we were doing.
I respect Bob for having an impact in the industry he chose to enter, communications. He was not just a communicator; he was Ground Zero for people who wanted to try to get into radio.
Bob was a good brother, and we have lost Akbar Muhammad, too,” he said, referring to Minister Abdul Akbar Muhammad, International Representative for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, who passed away in March.
In his powerful eulogy Rev. Clemmons spoke on Mr. Law’s campaign against “‘Gangster rap’ because [he] understood that you cannot fight for the dignity of Black people in the streets, and surrender it on the radio and TV … a lesson for every person in this room.
Particularly the young people—your voice was not given to you to make people comfortable, or anyone else. It was given to you to make [things] better, stronger, and free. You may not have a radio station, but you have a voice.”
Rev. Herbert Daughtry, 95, was brief, but he recognized Bob Law’s love for his community, whether it was his general organizing, his advocacy for Black business, or his arranging buses for the historic 1995 Million Man March, called by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. He quoted an African proverb, “As long as a person’s name is mentioned in the village, they never die, so Bob Law will live forever.”
Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., leader of the Black Panther Party Cubs, said in a statement, “We extend a clenched fist salute to a true credit to our community. My last contact with Bob Law was at the revolutionary send-off for D12 Chairwoman Viola Plummer, another of our greats.
It was also my last contact with another great who recently transitioned, the international representative of Minister Farrakhan, Minister Akbar Muhammad of the Nation of Islam.”
The Nation of Islam helped coordinate the services for Mr. Law, and Frank R. Bell Funeral Home’s funeral director also oversaw the services.
As the service ended, his daughter Aisha Patrice Law Abdullah told The Final Call that the community support “has been holding us up. The community has really embraced our family. We are grateful, as we are grieving. It is wonderful to see this community’s love for our beloved father.”
Student Minister Henry Muhammad, of Mosque No. 7C, in Brooklyn, said,“I would like to offer my condolences to the family of our dear Brother Bob Law. The sacrifice, love, dedication, and work of this beautiful brother for Black people can never be buried in a grave.
There is no grave that can hold it down because his work is a righteous work, and the righteous don’t die! They live on through their work and those bold enough to carry that work on. Bob Law gave us a Life of vision and voice.”
Nayaba Arinde is a freelance Editor-at-Large and award-winning reporter and activist. Follow her on Instagram
@NayabaArinde1
