The past two years have been challenging to say the least!
As someone who has always believed that death was a process that we had to accept because it was a part of life; living through the pandemic makes it a totally different reality for me.
While there are those who say, “You only live once,” I tend to offer a different perspective: you only die once.
So it is so refreshing for me to see folks living life and really enjoying themselves to the fullest. And Michael “Hollywood” Henderson was that person.
Which brings me to my truth.
Hollywood and I met during our days at Service Broadcasting — he was on the air at K104FM and I was over at Soul 73 KKDA.
He always seemed to be “on,” never one to spiral downward.
He was often the life of the party and he definitely knew how to start one. He was a magnet that attracted people who liked to have fun.
Hollywood went from terrestrial radio to the world wide web.
He loved music and he loved people. What a perfect combination!
Hollywood also loved movies.
When I approached him about writing movie reviews and covering the entertainment scene for I Messenger Media; I don’t know who was more excited, he or I.
There was mutual respect and admiration and we formed a deeper partnership because he loved and respected what he did and valued the contribution, as well as the opportunity it afforded him to share what he loved with various audiences.
Hollywood was the film critic, but he also promoted the publications (Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger) and represented them with pride. He would stop by to pick up newspapers to share as he made his way around town.
He would also attend events, proudly repping his I Messenger Media press credentials. He brought value to everything he was involved with.
As a proud Mexican American, he did see color and he celebrated it. He knew what it meant to be part of a real rainbow coalition because his focus was not on the differences; instead he focused on the similarities.
Hollywood was also a philanthropist.
He was especially concerned about the downtrodden, the unfortunate, the homeless and the hungry. He gave and worked to better their conditions and he encouraged others to do so as well. Anything he was involved with, Hollywood wanted it to be successful and he gave his call.
I ain’t got time for people who ain’t got time for people!
Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez (Cantu)
Sometimes there are people you never want to say goodbye to. Hollywood is one such person.
As we prepare to celebrate his life on Saturday, March 26, 2022 (two days before his birthday) at 2p.m. at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, I can’t help but think back to my thought, you only die once.
You see, when we’ve seen the other side of the mountain, when we’ve contained or come to a more manageable status with the Pandemic; we are going to have a rude awakening.
We are going to look back over this period and remember Hollywood and the countless others who have transitioned during this period; many whom we had no idea had transitioned, and it will be like reliving the memories all over again.
Hollywood was my friend. I respected him and he brought joy to my heart because of his giving nature.
Stop for a minute and look at your text messages to different people. Are you always asking for something or looking for something?
Do you ever call or text, just to check on someone or send them nice expressions? Or when your name pops up, does the person on the receiving end think, “What do they want now?”
I looked back over some of our exchanges and there were back and forth about movies we both saw, wellness checks, mutual admiration expressions, offers of help and sometimes business.
Hollywood was bonafide and authentic. When we disagreed we dealt with those issues with respect and resolve. We had each other’s back.
It was also heartwarming to see the love he had for his family. I’m talking about a good man who left this world better than it was when he was born into this place.
He was one of those people you were happy to see coming.
Now I am saddened that he is gone. But I take solace in knowing that not only did I share my love with him while he was on this earth; I will be a part of keeping his legacy intact by honoring his wishes:
Please make monetary donations to his favorite charity: www.whereareyououtreach.org. And you can also reach out and see how you can donate your time.
