What We Do Is Secret ()
Mpozi Mshale Tolbert
posted by a.d. amorosi
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| Goodbye, big man. Tolbert in City Paper's Earshot circa 1997. |
| Photo: Dominic Episcopo |
Our sister — Queen Bee Stef Renee — just sent me this. That my friend — City Paper's friend — Mpozi Tolbert died. My hand is shaking. He was not only a longtime photographer at this paper. He was a fucking beacon, a face that, no matter how sad, snarky, angry, high or messy I was, changed my innervision immediately. He was concerned — deeply — about any, every and all. I missed him when I found he had moved out of town. I miss him now. But I won�t forget how he made this city, or me, feel about politics — big or personal.
We'd just heard from 'Pozi last week in a letter to the editor he sent thanking us for his shout out in our Paper Trail column for 1991, when his work debuted:
Thanks for the shout out… City Paper was my 'voice' when I was younger through the Streetshots photo column, and other assignments — not bad for a kid in his late teens (I shot my first cover story while still in high school), and early 20s. Whenever I talk to students now, I tell them to find the local weekly and get on them — nobody knows how much you get paid — they just know they saw your work and byline! I try to keep track of the paper out here, but I always get all nostalgic on one hand, and wonder who half the people you guys are talkin' about are on the other (which for me — is weird!)… Nice to see the city doing so well btw. Lovin' Mike Regan's work as well — and missing my Tastykake's and soft pretzels (especially fresh ones at 10th and Washington at 4 a.m.).
Thanks again for the mention
—Mpozi Mshale Tolbert
Update:
TheIndyChannel.com reports that the cause of death is still unknown. An autopsy is planned, as is a funeral in Philadelphia, which we'll keep you posted on. WTHR has a link to some of Mpozi's work, which, unfortunately, is broken at the moment.
July 4th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
I’m pretty much completely stunned by this. There’s no way that this is fair; not just to Mpozi and the people he touched, but to the people whose lives he’d not yet touched. He was a mountain of a man; imposing and kind. And a.d.’s right: there’s no way this guy entered your life, tangentially or otherwise, without changing you in some way. I can’t tell you how happy I was to receive his letter last week, and how completely speechless I was when I received a.d.’s e-mail about Mpozi this morning. Mpozi was the definition of righteous. That he’s gone is just a huge loss.
July 4th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Very sad news.
July 5th, 2006 at 11:57 am
[...] Word came yesterday that photographer and Philly native Mpozi Mshale Tolbert had passed away on Monday. Tolbert had collapsed at his desk at the Indianapolis Star, and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Those that knew him — especially in his days in the early/mid ’90s as City Paper’s in-house photographer — will remember Mpozi as an especially awesome and bright guy, open and hilarious, in a time when cool was erroneously measured in disaffection. But Mpozi was a timeless classic, as they say, and his work was always spot-on. He will be missed, and Philebrity sends our fondest wishes to Mpozi’s friends and family at this difficult time. Mpozi Tolbert: One of the good ones. NPPA: Mpozi Mshale Tolbert Obit The Clog: Farewell Friend ———- [...]
July 5th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
I’m so sad about this! Such a great photgrapher and photojournalist. I remember hanging out with Mpozi years ago at parties and shows. One of the funniest things I heard him say was not to be intimidated by some punks because, “They don’t even have any wrinkles in their Docs yet.”
July 5th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
yeah it seems that the city was a smaller place only 10 years ago . . . it’s a bigger circle now
Mp the photog was one of the faces and voices to count on seeing and exchanging greetings with
speed on
July 5th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
[...] Still stupefied from yesterday’s news that my friend — our friend — Mpozi Mshale Tolbert had died suddenly, I found a few things out from our spiritual sister, Stef Renee. [...]
July 5th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
I worked with ‘Poz’ when he was still in high school, in ‘89-90. He had more courage and energy than anyone I’ve ever worked with. I remember the days when I’d go out with him to cover anti-abortion movement like it was yesterday. His spirit was enormous, and it will live on. How sad I am, but also grateful for having known him.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Regrets, regrets, regrets. In life, Mpozi Tolbert had none. That doesn’t stop me from having many regarding his passing. We met in the 80s through the music scene that revolved around McRad and Timi & The Dub Warriors (with Chuck Treece being the common link). Mpozi must have been no more than 14. And TALENTED already. We ran into each other at CP during my stay (89-92). He blessed us all with his presence.