One Sigma’s Journey Through, Hope, Healing, Rebuilding and Recovery Comes Resiliency

One Sigma’s Journey

‘Through Hope, Healing, Rebuilding and Recovery comes Resiliency’

By Bro. Kevin ChrisTian

Brother William Kellibrew considers himself lucky and blessed to have a second and third chance in life. One of those chances came on July 2, 1984 at age 10 staring down the barrel of a gun begging for his life from the man who just shot his mother and brother.

Witnessing this horrific event completely shocked and traumatized him and his family for years. Brother Kellibrew acknowledges that rebuilding and recovering from a traumatic experience can be a life-long process and that the effects of trauma are long-lasting. “I use to cry and cry. I felt isolated, guilty, and that the world ended,” said Kellibrew. “No one realized how devastating the trauma was inside. I masked it by appearing to be a happy child, but I was far from it. I was coping and boiling at the same time.”

It was not a pretty picture reeling from those experiences. Kellibrew became the abuser by bullying his younger brother and stealing cars in his teen years. He would later turn to alcohol and other substances to cope in his twenties. But, he did not give up. Bro. Kellibrew learned how to cope effectively and has turned his life around. In an effort to survive and thrive he has become a beacon for others. Through childhood sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, bullying and a host of victimizations, he defies the odds by facing each day as an opportunity to grow and give back.

Turning Point

It is easy to look at Brother Kellibrew and forget that he has a daily struggle each day on the road to healing and recovery, but the statistics tell us that he is not alone.

According to the Children’s Exposure to Violence: Comprehensive Survey, most of our society’s children are exposed to violence in their daily lives. More than 60 percent of the

children surveyed were exposed to violence within the past year, either directly or indirectly (i.e., as a witness to a violent act; by learning of a violent act against a family member, neighbor, or close friend; or from a threat against their home or school). Brothers of Sigma know that the numbers are much higher in African-American communities and households. However, we more than often remain silent without addressing the issues that stifle our children’s development and leave the experience of trauma unresolved.

One morning on the way to school, when he was in the seventh grade, Bro. Kellibrew remembers walking like a zombie. This particular morning he was contemplating suicide. “I woke up that morning, put my book-bag on my back and headed to school,” reflected Kellibrew. But, not like any other day, he stopped at a bridge and decided to take the leap. He stalled. Somehow he made it to the assistant principal’s office. A caring and compassionate Charles Christian, the assistant principal, provided a haven for William when he had problems in class and was disruptive as the class clown. This morning, however, Mr. Christian saw more than just a troubled kid. He saw a kid that was completely distraught.

Charles Christian called Kellibrew’s grandmother who in turn contacted Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. for help. Bro. Kellibrew eventually made his way to the hospital and was admitted for thirty days to a psychiatric hospital. Upon his release from the hospital he was paired with a therapist, Christine Pierre. What Kellibrew did not know was that his life was about to change.

Christine Pierre took Bro. Kellibrew to the Children’s Hospital dining room and asked him, “What do you want for lunch?” It may have seemed like an ordinary question for Ms. Pierre, but for Bro. Kellibrew it was the question of a lifetime. At the time, about ten children and six adults crammed in a house in Northwest Washington, D.C. where both the living room and dining room were used as bedrooms. Bro. Kellibrew recounts that while he ate well and played fun games with his family, it was the one on one attention that he lacked at home.

It was that year that Kellibrew began to gain his self-esteem. His confidence started to improve. Although, Kellibrew would live his entire teen life with suicidal thoughts, he always remembered the compassion of Christine Pierre, Charles Christian and countless others who stepped in along the way including a mentor, Melvin Andrews and a teacher, Pamela Alexander.

Over twenty years would pass before Bro. Kellibrew would reconnect with Mr. Christian and Ms. Pierre. This author noticed that Bro. Kellibrew mentioned his great-uncle’s name in an article and reached out to Kellibrew. It was then that the connection was made and Bro. Kellibrew was able to thank them both for everything they had done for him. Today, they all work together to build awareness of trauma and the impact it has on children and families. Small world!

Champion of Change

The work Bro. Kellibrew continues to do provides an opportunity to help others who are trying to heal and rebuild their lives. It has also allowed him to meet many interesting, and sometimes prominent, people along the way. Those who hear his story and witness his confidence and spirit are impressed by the man he has become. Congressman Brother John Lewis (D-GA) once said about Kellibrew, “No child should ever have to go through what you [Kellibrew] went through.”

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, in a speech during the 2010 National Crime Victims’ Rights National Observance said, “His message of hope, which he delivers to children all across this city [Washington, D.C.], provides a tremendous service to young people. Mr. Kellibrew’s commitment to protecting victims and empowering survivors is shared by so many

of you.” But, Brother Kellibrew is not about the fanfare. Most of his time is spent sharing his story of resiliency, writing, working on public policy issues, assisting others in crisis and spending time with his family, friends and brothers in Sigma.

In 2011, while his grandmother and supporters watched, the White House recognized Bro. Kellibrew as a ‘Champion of Change’ working to end domestic violence and sexual assault. On stage, Kellibrew gave the credit to those who helped him along the way. Addressing the Most Pressing Issues

Brother Kellibrew currently consults with a number of organizations, agencies and partners to address some of the most pressing issues in the world. His works has expanded to Beijing, China; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Canada; Kenya, Africa; and other countries. Some of the organizations and agencies he consults with include the William Kellibrew Foundation, Mauldin Brand Agency, Inc. in Atlanta, GA, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, and the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center, just to name a few.

Brother Kellibrew continues to focus on children, youth and young adults as a priority in his work, but also recognizing that effective strategies by service providers, practitioners, law enforcement, adult and juvenile justice system staff, judges, and a host of others help to create a trauma-informed system of care – a system that considers the background, not just behavior, of individuals they serve.

In an effort to address issues on a broader scale, Bro. Kellibrew has teamed up with music mogul, Michael Mauldin. He believes that bridging the world of the entertainment industry with the work he does with publicly funded and linked systems provides perspective and a greater understanding of the issues facing youth and young adults today.

Additionally, he continues his work with the William Kellibrew Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to breaking the cycles of violence and poverty. The Foundation was founded by Sigma Brother Clarence Davis (D.C. Historian) and Zeta Soror Professor Barbara Harvey in 2007. Since then, the Foundation has evolved under the direction of Bro. Brandon Wallace (International 2nd Vice President of Phi Beta Sigma 2005-2007).

“With a new chairman, board, executive director and CEO, the William Kellibrew Foundation will make an even greater impact on the lives of the people it serves and engages,” said Kellibrew. “With programs such as the Men’s and Women’s Circles, Sleep Out for Peace and the policy work, there is enough to keep the Foundation busy beyond my lifetime and for generations to come.”

Honoring His Grandmother

Today, Bro. Kellibrew takes a look down that long winding road in life and remembers the difficult times and takes a deep breath. “It was hard and sometimes it still is,” says a thankful Kellibrew. “There isn’t one day that goes by that I do not miss my mom and brother. My grandmother tells me that if I can handle their deaths I can do anything. I believe it is my ability to cope today that enables me to survive and surviving can be an every moment process.” His grandmother, Delores Short, worked for 38 years as a sterile processing supervisor. She was late less than ten times and never used an alarm clock. She took Bro. Kellibrew and his siblings in after the tragic deaths of their mother and brother, and continues to be a strong matriarch for the family today. “I supported the children’s strengths,” Ms. Short mentioned, “William was a case. I knew he needed help, but it took over three years before relief came. Before that, I watched him go downhill. It was painful. Today, I know my efforts were not in vain.”

Pathway to Success

At age 27, Brother Kellibrew enrolled at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Kellibrew quickly became the go-to person on campus. He played for the UDC Tennis Team, was elected to two terms as president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association and studied abroad in England at the University of Sunderland as part of the ‘Friendship Pact’ between Washington, D.C. and the City of Sunderland. In 2004 Kellibrew was initiated into the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and quickly gave his service to the Fraternity. Honorable Bro. Greville French (DSC# 169 / 23rd Eastern Regional Director) appointed Bro. Kellibrew as the Associate Regional Director for the Eastern Region, where he served and was elected to a second term.

“Kellibrew is one of the most persistent, passionate and creative students I know,” said Dr. William Pollard, former president at U.D.C. “He has the capacity to inspire.”

When actor, comedian and activist William ‘Bill’ Cosby came to campus, Kellibrew joined him on the stage and recounted the inspiring story of watching his mother and brother being killed before his eyes. Kellibrew had his grandmother stand up in the audience. She received a standing ovation.

When Bill Cosby went on Oprah the following year, Kellibrew followed again. “Bill Cosby said he met a young man he says he will never forget,” said Oprah. “William Kellibrew, grew up in a poor crime ridden neighborhood just outside of Washington, D.C. and recently took our cameras back to a place where he said his childhood literally came to an end.” On the Oprah Winfrey Show, Bro. Kellibrew proudly wore his Sigma lapel pin remembering how important service was and how much having a brotherhood is important in his life.

After the horrific killings at Sandy Hook in Newtown, CT, President Barack Obama appointed Vice President Biden to head a task force to look at gun violence. Kellibrew was invited to participate in the official convening of the task force with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence at the White House. Bro. Kellibrew mentioned to the Vice President how important it is to focus on the impact of trauma as we simultaneously focused on access to guns and gun safety. The Vice President told Bro. Kellibrew that he was impressive. The meeting fueled Bro. Kellibrew’s passion to end gun violence. On the Horizon

“I plan to expand my knowledge, work to bridge the divide between the entertainment industry, the media and the community, write books, continue to be a voice for victims like my mom and brother and stand alongside other survivors as we all hope, heal, rebuild and recover,” said Kellibrew.

While it seems like a lot of work, Kellibrew already has made strides in each of these goals.

“I am proud to be a Sigma man,” Kellibrew acknowledged during the interview. “The brothers I have and the brotherhood I am apart of keeps me going. The brothers of the Alpha Sigma Chapter (Washington, DC) and members of the Gamma Lambda Chapter (University of the District of Columbia-UDC) are also a large part of my confidence and success. Brothers like William ‘Big Hutch’ Hutchins, Honorable Eric Gilliam, Honorable Thomas Washington, Mohammed Kamara and a host of other brothers, helped me understand commitment and loyalty. I keep striving and I keep my head up. I am grateful to Bros. Kevin Christian and Todd Le Bon for the opportunity to share my story with the OUR CAUSE readers. It not only helped me to reflect on God’s grace, but to bring awareness to the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and trauma.”

To contact Brother William Kellibrew, please visit: http://williamkellibrewfoundation.roundtablelive.org/ or via email at wkellibrew@gmail.com.