(WOODLAWN – April 16, 2026) – Unlike most of the people at Mr. Williams’ janaza (Muslim funeral), I only knew the East Baltimorean for the last few years.
I met him at Renny’s Downtown Cultural Arts Center. The discussion may have been around KIOBA — the Keeping It One-Hundred Black Men’s Association — a group that has garnered $2 million in property and is growing by the day.
It was just he and I left in the room after the meeting.
And that’s where the discussion got heated.
Fast-forward 24 hours, and Saafir Rabb called me.
“Have you lost your mind?” he asked.
I replied, “What?”
In essence, he was telling me: you need to understand who you’re dealing with.
In any event, Mr. Rudy apparently gave me a pass — and he became a friend.
He appeared on my podcast and television show multiple times. He showed up for major events. I tried to do the same for him.
One thing about him — he was an evolved soul with a high IQ. His thinking was on another level. He’d go from talking about the Chinese yuan to European banking algorithms. You never quite knew where the conversation would go.
I picked up from him a powerful energy: believe in yourself, always.
That was him.
He embodied confidence — at least from my perspective.
And he never bragged in my presence or spoke highly of his former life. He didn’t need to.
I saw a man earning his blessings while he still had time.
That was a reminder to me.
And for that, I thank him.
The last time he came on the show was with Selina Polk. They were promoting her new film, which recently debuted at The Senator Theatre.
One thing I admired about him was his love for plays.
He wrote plays.
A man with a long history in the streets had a deep love for theater — for acting — for putting on productions.
While I only knew him for a brief moment, I saw him demonstrate love for his people.
He was a leader.
A Leo.
A ruler.
But more than that — he was a friend.
And for those who may not understand this emphasis on friend — it is because if you get one real friend in this world, you are blessed.
And if his name was Rudy Williams, then you had a soldier beside you.
No — a general.
Rest well, Mr. Rudy.
May Allah forgive your sins, save your soul, and welcome you to the Kingdom.
Ameen.
PS
Bravo to my younger cousin, Amir Hakim — the Muslim funeral director of choice. His establishment is at 2901 Rolling Road.
My late father served as President of the Funeral Directors and Morticians Association of Maryland, founded in 1904. He would be so proud of Amir.
