04/09/2026
Words for a Hero!
Bob Law was our 411 and Black CNN before CNN was CNN - Giving breaking news and shaping Black intellectual arguments. He was a radio host, radio executive, community activist, father, artist, and family man, and a staunch supporter of all things progressive. Yet he never forgot his past or where he came from. With microphone in hand, he was always teaching, sharing, and driving home the message that our communities must think, work, and respect ourselves and understand the power of the Black dollar if we are ever to control our own destiny in America.
Affectionately called the Urban Preacher, he spread the gospel of community empowerment long before many of us knew what empowerment really meant. That smooth, distinctive Bob Law voice and his sharp assessments of the day's issues were always on point.
To anybody who listened to Bob Law's shows over the years, you knew he took his time to teach the ill-informed and out-of-touch Negroes - and he was also ready to put racists, who thought he was just another jive-talking DJ from generations past, in their place.
Bob's voice and intellectual acumen were a fresh, strong, and consistent voice for underserved communities across the country. Bob educated us on health, culture, economics, and politics.
To Black Spectrum Theatre, Bob brought his sharp wit and artistic input to the theatre, always believing, as he would say to audiences just before a show, in his own words: "Isn't nice to come out in your own neighborhood and enjoy top-quality entertainment artists in our own backyard and appreciate the sounds of R&B when the lyrics appreciate Black women instead of tearing them down."
During Katrina, he organized a food bank with the theatre and was instrumental in bringing Al Sharpton to speak in our film "Urban Encounters" about youth and police encounters.
From the first day Bob was introduced to Black Spectrum in the late seventies until he passed, Bob always supported Black Spectrum Theatre as well as many of the Black performing artists in the city.
His artistic sensibilities, humor, sharp wit, and understanding of our history took flight when he appeared in three other Black Spectrum films - "Let's Get Busy" about youth voting power, "Radio" about those high radio boxes, and "The Million Man March".
Bob was a mentor to me, and I will always miss our long talks and his advice as Chairman of the Board of Black Spectrum.
I think it was his ability to talk to people from different philosophies, backgrounds, professions, and get different points of view that confirmed for me the importance of understanding the difference between idealism and the reality of running a business or institution in our community. It's tough work! Sometimes he'd quip, "It's hard trying to save our people." But Bob Law never gave up on us! In short, he didn’t just talk on the radio about Black economics - he and Muntu started businesses, The Namascar Book Store and The Seafood Cafe. Bob Law wanted to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
And of course, how could we ever have a conversation about Bob without his partner, the dynamic duo, Muntu and Bob? When you went into their stores, you got a double dose of Black culture, politics, and health all in one.
Many of you might not know that Bob was a filmmaker. His film on Black radio, as well as his hit play, "The Magic Crown", will forever be part of Black Spectrum's performance repertory.
There have been so many acts of assistance to struggles both local and national that brother Bob Law has supported - not just in word, but in action. And it was always done with faith and love for his people and in the name of the Lord - so many memories.
And so, to the Bob Law family, whom he loved so dearly, and on behalf of the Board, staff, volunteers, and artists of Black Spectrum Theatre and the entire Southeast Queens community, we say thank you, thank you, thank you, Bob Law.
"No one knows what the future holds," Bob would sometimes say, "but I know who holds the future!" All of us. Rest in power, Bob Law.
Bob will be honored on Black Spectrum's Wall of the Ancestors and at its 25th annual St. Albans Jazz Festival on Saturday, July 18th in St. Albans Park.
