Pricey Nolan,
Comfortable 19th Birthday! On what your golden anniversary, we thought it was acceptable to remind you of how cherished you have been and are. Your mom, Christine Wonsley, and your father, Elmore Wonsley, have labored tirelessly since July 4, 2026 to battle for justice in your behalf. In truth, your mom begged the world to not cease saying your identify: Nolan Xavier Wells. And right here at ESSENCE, that is precisely what we proceed to do, say your identify: on our web site and on our social media channels.
Even earlier than your mom made this heartfelt plea, we may see that you just have been deeply cherished and supported by your village. Not everybody receives real love and help from their household. However we noticed it within the photographs your mother and father shared of you all at your soccer video games and commencement. They have been so proud. You have been so comfortable. The care, concern, and compassion shared between the three of you was palpable. We all know that any such connection is ample in black households; even when the world not often acknowledges it.
With the assistance of leaders like lawyer Benjamin Crump and activist Reverend Al Sharpton, your loving mother and father have made it clear that they’re decided to battle till solutions are obtained about how and why your life was lower brief throughout that vacation tour to Horn Island, close to your childhood residence in Ocean Springs, MS. Mississippi. The identical state the place younger Emmett Until was brutally murdered. The identical state that has the very best variety of documented lynchings in U.S. historical past; 656 between 1877 and 1955 to be precise. The identical state the place NAACP soldier Medgar Evers was murdered by a white supremacist for his selfless work to finish segregation and inequality.
Mississippi has a hurtful previous (and current), however that did not cease your mother and father from apparently supplying you with a particular and memorable childhood. You graduated from Ocean Springs Excessive Faculty (OSHS) in 2025 as a multi-sport student-athlete. “Nolan was way more than an excellent soccer participant. He carried himself with humility, handled others with respect, labored arduous and led by instance,” stated OSHS Head Soccer Coach Jake Bramlett. You, too, have been discovering your manner on this planet as a younger grownup. At Southwest Mississippi Neighborhood Faculty, you have been a star receiver on the varsity’s soccer crew. You have been learning enterprise. Possibly you had a purpose of in the future turning into an entrepreneur, like your mom did together with her thriving well being care observe as a nurse practitioner.
Would you might have favored a celebration on your birthday? Possibly. You appeared like an excellent dancer from the movies we witnessed, the place you confidently showcase your footwork and lower a rug with your pals. Whereas recording them, you in all probability did not know that individuals witnessing your #BlackBoyJoy whereas recreating trending TikTok dances would change into an act of resistance and revolution. Our neighborhood collectively mourns the lack of your life. Nevertheless, now we have some consolation understanding that you just skilled this type of freedom by dance when you have been right here in your bodily kind.
Celebrities from right here and overseas have spoken out to demand justice in your behalf. Colin Kaepernik helped fund and facilitate an impartial post-mortem of your physique. Tyler Perry additionally supplied monetary help to your loved ones, as did Terrell Owens, Byron Allen and Spike Lee. There was even a candlelight vigil held in your reminiscence on Martha’s Winery, in addition to a particular panel dialogue along with your mother and father moderated by Tiffany Cross in Atlanta final week through the Nationwide Affiliation of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference final week.
Everybody, however particularly your expensive and devoted mother and father, merely need transparency. They’re actually begging for the reality. All of the whereas, some individuals have tried to smear his identify and his livelihood. She stays the epitome of grace, class and dignity. And your father is at all times at his aspect, distinguished, decided and steadfast. There are individuals who guess that they would not work collectively as a crew and as two individuals who love one another and their kids. They guess badly. These identical individuals additionally assumed that your story would not go away your hometown or the state. They have been unsuitable too. The entire world now is aware of your identify and the demand for justice grows louder by the day.
We have now all checked out photographs of you along with your charming smile and considered our personal sons, brothers, nephews, godchildren and neighbors. How may we not? When your physique was discovered within the waters close to Horn Island on July 6thwe have been all hoping that reputable solutions about how you bought there would comply with. As an alternative, we discover ourselves confused, indignant and annoyed over a month later.
Nolan Xavier WellsComfortable 19th Birthday ! We’ll proceed to talk your identify, battle for justice, and help your loved ones.
