Community College and was a Pace Head Start teacher until she retired. His dad, Ollie, died when Bell was a college student. His mother died in 2005. “One of the greatest life challenges has been watching my older siblings pass away,” said Bell, noting that in the last three years, three siblings have died and another is in hospice care. The sister he “chased academically” was enrolled in the Ph.D. program at Delta State when she died last August after suffering two strokes. “That was a tough one.” Even though she had received a full scholarship to Meharry Medical School, his sister had remained in the Delta, working 28 years in the public school system, including Cleveland High School. “Understanding the cycle of life and the impact of those before me has shaped my focus on life, and how we’re interconnected,” said Bell. “I don’t think we would be having this conversation if it hadn’t been for the contributions made in my life by my siblings, mom, dad, and stepdad,” said Bell. “They’ve set examples about the value of hard work, the meaning of integrity and honesty, and helping other people.” Bell has two adult children from his first marriage—Shireen, 28, mother of Ajani, 4, and Jayven, 2, who lives in North Carolina; and Rashida, 26, an aspiring law student. With his wife, Dorian, he has two children—Kaylia, who turns 6 in February; and Morgan, 3. “Delta State has been very significant in terms of an educational opportunity for my family,” he said. “My youngest sibling, Murray, is a graduate. Carrie graduated. My sister, Mae, took classes, as did my mom. It’s been an incredible life-giving opportunity for us, and as our family numbers get smaller, we get closer to each other. I’m grateful for the opportunity Delta State has given me as I try to not only nurture and support all vulnerable children and families in this country, but also my own family.”
“Understanding the cycle of life and the impact of those before me has shaped my focus on life, and how we’re interconnected.”
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Dr. Bell has recently received two highly prized accolades: Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps’ 2012 Embracing the Legacy Award; and New York City’s CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Award in 2010. His other honors include the Vincent de Francis Award from the American Humane Association and Lifetime of Service Award from City Year Seattle/King County in 2009; the 2007 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award from the National Association of Social Workers Foundation; the 2005 Valeria Bullard Black Administrator of the Year Award from the Black Administrators in Child Welfare; and the 2004 Betsey R. Rosenbaum Award for Excellence in Public Child Welfare Administration from the National Association for Public Child Welfare Administrators. Bell’s strong family support system laid the groundwork for his success. “My mother had 12 children, and we were all very close,” he said. “The first cohort of mom’s children didn’t have an opportunity to go to school because they had to work on the (Tullos) farm to make money to keep the family fed and clothed. The second cohort had an opportunity to go to school, but also had to work seasonally, and often had to leave school to work. But the third cohort of kids, which included my older sister, my three siblings from my step-father James Williams, and myself, all had the opportunity to focus solely on our education.” When the youngest children became school age, Bell’s mother, with a fifth-grade education, left the fields to work in a school cafeteria. She eventually received a GED, earned an associate’s degree from Coahoma
To view more photos of Dr. William Bell, visit the DSU Alumni Facebook page, Statesmen Graduates.
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