HEAR MY VOICE: Born Black In America

William Michael Barbee Entrepreneur/Director/Author/Producer/Philanthropist
BIO/HISTORY

William Michael Barbee is a Newark native and was educated in the Newark Public School System. He attended Arts High School: America’s First High School of Performing Arts; Jersey City State College, majoring in Biology with a minor in Fine Arts; Rutgers University, graduating with a Degree in Business Management; McAllister/American Academy of Mortuary Science, graduating with a Diploma in Mortuary Science and Funeral Services. During the summer of 1980 and upon entering Arts High School, the Barbee family was the victim of an arson fire. Consequently, William Michael’s family was permanently displaced and separated. The toll of those and other events would forever change his life. He attended his first two years of high school as a homeless teen with donated clothing from friends, strangers, and with vouchers from The Salvation Army and the Goodwill Missions. As a direct result of the fire; watching childhood friends die due to street violence; drug abuse; disease and depression; William Michael suffered many levels of posttraumatic stress.

While attending the summer program Student for Medicine and Dentistry at UMDNJ, William Michael became the victim of a carjacking just blocks from his home. William would have other setbacks. he stated in a recent interview that, “It seemed as if his life was spiraling out of control in a free-fall.” He would battle years of depression and significant life challenges. After a brief hospitalization, he attended 2 years of professional psychological outpatient counseling from psychologist Shelly Neiderbach PhD, architect and author of “Invisible Wounds – Crime Victims Speak.” There he would learn basic life skills for living and accepting life on its terms. He began to surround himself with positive individuals who nurtured him with unconditional love, guidance, and mentorship. Some of the Senior Statesmen and women who seeded into his life were his God-father Benjamin F. Jones, Mentor - Dr. William Howard M. Griffith, and Elita Caldwell to name a few.

Though in therapy and with a strong support system, William Michael started his first of 8 businesses: Barrich & Associates Limousine Service, United II Care Medical Transportation Service Inc, United II Care Properties, LLC, Prestige Tours Charter Bus Service and United II Care School Transportation, Karate for Kids Childcare Center, Prestige Media Productions, Airmid Foundation Inc. and Airmid Counseling Services, LLC to serve and help clients within the inner-city communities address their substance and mental health needs. William Michael eventually moved his companies from a rented office spaces at 650 Bloomfield Ave. in Bloomfield; and 76 South Orange Ave, South Orange. NJ to the office building that he purchased in 2002 at 137 Evergreen Pl. E. Orange, NJ. At the age of 33, William took a semi- retirement from his companies to fulfill one of his childhood dreams of attending and graduating from McAllister Institute - American Academy of Mortuary Science in New York City, NY as Vice President of his 2003 graduating class.

In addition to being a Serial Entrepreneur, William Michael is a Philanthropist, Business Leader, Fine Artist, Published Author, as well as a Writer, Director & Producer of films and documentaries. One of his therapeutic techniques, as taught by Dr. Neiderbach was to express himself through his writing while experiencing his emotional lows and highs. After battling depression for many years, William Michael was able to reflect on the notes that he retained while in counseling with Shelly Neiderbach PhD. Those same writings became essential for giving depth to the main character in his first fictional novel entitled “Clipped Wings They Do Fly.” The novel was written as a tribute to his parents, (late) Otha Donald and Josephine P. Barbee. He believes that in spite of his mother’s disabilities, her teachings are forever reminders of how to stay strong in the face of all adversities. He wrote “Clipped Wings They Do Fly” as a semi-autobiographical sketch of his life, to which has now been turned into a full feature film entitled “Beyond The Silence.” This 2016 film brings to the forefront the crisis of mental illness within our communities. This film has also been selected to be screened in the Marketplace at the prestigious 2019 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. He is proud of his sophomore book entitled, “What’s In Your Bag – Unpacking One Item At A Time.” There, he encourages the reader to be more introspective and transparent about their fears. Through many of his personal stories and experiences, he tackles the subjects of Love, Fear, Masking, A Letter To Him, Embracing Change, and Forgiveness to name a few. William Michael continues to write books and produce documentaries and films. His latest documentary series and book entitled, “HEAR MY VOICE – Born Black In America” is in production. This series will display African American culture and its correlation to the history of America. Towards the end of this year, William Michael will also be releasing his documentary entitled, “THE SPIN ON VINYL.” This documentary highlights the influence music has played over the decades.

William Michael other directing/producing/writing film and video credits include: Beyond The Silence, The Art of the Journey - The Ben Jones Story, The Spin On Vinyl, "Your Body" by Josh Milan, "I Can Wait" by Vicky Martin, and "I Remember" by Wincey Terry-Bryant to name a few.

William Michael is the recipient of many awards and merits for his commitment to excellence in Business, Film, as well as in the Mental Health fields. May 8, 2021, William Michael was the recipient of the prestigious NAACP Business Award. In 2020, he was the recipient of the Town of West Orange – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award. In 2019, DiDi Hirsch Mental Health Services Leadership Award in Los Angeles, Ca; 2019 East Orange Rotary Club Business Award; 2019 The Love You Girl & Renee J. Bradley Foundation Inspiration Award; 2017 Save Our Nations Dream Maker Award. 2015 State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families – Division of Child Protection and Permanency Making A Difference Award; 2013 State of New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma Ambassador’s Award in Business; and in 2007, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholder bestowed William Michael with the “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award for his work within the business community of Essex County.

Also in 2017, William Michael was invited by (D) Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. to speak before a Congressional Subcommittee on the SBA to address the challenges, effectiveness, as well as ineffectiveness the agency plays within the urban business communities. In October 2017, he along with the Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris County Exec Director Robert Davison, joined other Mental Health Advocates from around the country at the Nation’s Capital for “Hill Day;” where we educated, as well as were educated on the legislation affecting the mental and behavioral health communities. Recently, William Michael resigned as Chief Operating Officer of the newly formed professional celebrity focused basketball league Global Mixed Gender Basketball, of which he held the position for 11 months.
William Michael also resides as a Trustee on the Boards of a few organizations: Chairman of the Development Committee for the Health Care of the Oranges Foundation (formerly)The Foundation at E. Orange General Hospital; (Board Secretary) The Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris; Salvation Army; Montclair Art Museum: African American Cultural Committee; Newark YMCA & Vicinity: Salvation Army of the Oranges & Vicinity to name a few.

While staying true to the youths, William Michael continues to spread words of hope through countless speaking engagements via radio, social media outlets, and local television programs. He has remained diligent in his efforts to reach, redirect and empower inner city youth. He teaches the basic core values of honor and respect, while challenging one’s self how to navigate through their various difficulties. He is most proud following his inner convictions of love, healing, and forgiveness. As recent as January of 2019, WABCtv Entertainment Correspondent Sandy Kenyon did a special on William Michael for his philanthropic efforts through the use of film to raise awareness on mental illness amongst our inner-city children. The news crew also filmed him in an interview prior to the screening of his movie at one of the local high schools in Newark, NJ. When asked what advice he would offer to people, he says it would be to “Leave More Than You Take.”