The 44 Percent: Miami mourns Liberty City activist Dwight Wells
Liberty City lost a giant in their community when Dwight Wells, 40, was killed this week. The anti-gun violence advocate had founded “Bikes Up, Gunz Down,” a nonprofit that steered youth away from guns.
Wells, as family and friends described, had a way of paying it forward and would often support those who’d lost loved ones to gun violence. It’s why his death is so tragic: a man who turned his life around after pleading guilty to murder, dedicated his life to anti-gun violence efforts, only for his life to be cut short by a bullet.
And unfortunately, the lives of men being cut short has been an unwanted theme this week with the loss of R&B singer D’Angelo. I’d had the pleasure of seeing him live once. Anything short of extraordinary is an understatement to describe how joyful he was on stage jamming out, teasing the audience with the finale “Untitled (How Does it Feel),” and experiencing genuine warmth radiate from him and onto the audience. You walked away feeling loved.
Born Michael Eugene Archer, D’Angelo died from pancreatic cancer this week. He was 51. These deaths don’t just hurt because of how young they were and how tragic they were, but because these were both men who sought to continue to do good through their respective activism and artistry.
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INSIDE THE 305:
Liberty City activist Dwight Wells, known for his nurturing spirit, dies at 40
Dwight Wells, who spent 10 years in prison, committed his life to preventing gun violence in the Liberty City community. Wells, 40, was killed outside his restaurant last week.
Red Lobster CEO had some tips in Miami. All-you-can-eat shrimp wasn’t among them
The new-ish Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun spoke at the Teach To Fish Summit in North Miami and gave advice for business owners.
OUTSIDE THE 305:
D’Angelo, Acclaimed and Reclusive R&B Innovator, Dies at 51
Reverred R&B crooner D’Angelo died earlier this week from pancreatic cancer. The Grammy-winning artists were known for songs “Brown Sugar,” “Lady,” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” which helped shaped the sub-genre neo-soul.
Angel Reese spreads her wings in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
WNBA superstar Angel Reese made waves outside of her hoop skills and Reebok line by gracing the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
HIGH CULTURE:
Celebrating Black Miami: An Immersive Journey through History & Film
The Video Consortium in collaboration with the Historic Hampton House is hosting an event, Celebrating Black Miami: An Immersive Journey through History & Film, which will feature a guided historical tour of the Historic Hampton House and select films. Tickets for the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, start at $28.52.
Where does “The 44 Percent” name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter’s title.
This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM.
