The Black and Missing Foundation Stands Strong in the Face of Carlee Russell Case

Glitter Magazine
Breeana Brathwaite
July 27, 2023

In the face of the Calethia “Carlee” Russell piece, co-founder of Black and Missing Foundation, Natalie Wilson stated, “We will not be dismayed.”

Carlee Russell, a nursing student, had gone missing in Alabama after reporting to 911 that a toddler was walking by I-495 on July 13. She returned home two days later when it was then found out she was lying about her disappearance.

In the wake of a Black woman’s disappearance, the media finally paid attention. There appears to be a loss of hope and anger among the public after knowing Russell lied about her disappearance, especially from those in the Black community.

A Twitter user also commented that Russell has “taken real and missing exploited people away from her,” then posted a short video of missing people dating back to the 1990s. The majority of the replies to this tweet have been heartbroken for the people who have disappeared.

This development in the Russel case did not stop Natalie Wilson’s mission to help bring missing Black individuals home, though. Wilson is the co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding missing Black people.

The Foundation‘s mission is “to bring awareness to missing persons of color; provide vital resources and tools to missing person’s families and friends and to educate the minority community on personal safety.”

In an interview with What I’m Reading, she stated, “While Carlee’s revelation is disheartening, we will not be dismayed. There are far too many missing people of color who actually need our help and are counting on us to help bring them home.”

Despite Russell’s disappearance being a hoax, it made us focus our attention on other missing people, such as Janiya Duffie, Mayala Dorsey, and others who need help getting home to their families.

To support, join, or learn more, please visit the Black and Missing Foundation‘s website here. To watch the Foundation‘s documentary, Black and Missing, on HBO, please click here.

Photo credit: HBO