Inspiring Change

“I’m a very peaceful person and just mellow in general,” said Weathers. “That’s the way I was raised and that’s how I conduct myself.” Weathers is a “boomer ranger,” having spent his early youth in Des Moines and his high school days in Las Vegas, before coming back to the area with his family and deciding to attend Simpson.

He might be mild-mannered and soft spoken, but his messages designed to create a more just and unified community resonate loud and clear. Following the George Floyd murder in 2020, Weathers helped lead a series of rallies and vigils in Des Moines, including a peaceful march to the Iowa Governor’s residence on Terrace Hill.

“I can’t speak for the whole community, but I think it was very impactful for the people who participated. It gave people a sense that they can actually do something — they can move the needle forward.”

Instant Simpson Connection

Weathers’ time at Simpson helped set the stage for opportunities to make a profound impact on his community. On the first day of college classes, he met his lifelong buddy, Taylor Rogers ’13. The two became fast friends on the football field as wide receivers for the Storm.

“Coming to Simpson and just being able to identify with another young black man was important,” said Weathers. “We just have a lot of similarities. We liked the same shows — we liked the same music.”

After graduating from Simpson, Weathers and Rogers roomed together for several years, becoming tight-knit partners in music and community activism. As Weathers has grown in popularity performing under his rap persona, “B. Well,” Rogers has been right there with him as his DJ and hype man.

During their time together, Weathers has released three albums: “The Hills” in 2018, “Billy” in 2020 and his latest, “Elegance,” just hit the airwaves in November.

Weathers, greatly inspired by his mother’s 35 years of leadership with the American Red Cross, says he’s always been driven to make a difference. He believes his music is instrumental to generating greater good.

“Music can transcend any race, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs or any of that to strike a chord that I don’t think a lot of other professions are able to,” said Weathers. “There’s just something about music that is other worldly or spiritual that can be used to gather people together for the right purposes.”

Networking for Greater Influence

Teaming with Rogers and others in his impressive network of Simpson connections, Weathers has been well positioned to do just that. It all started in 2016 with a simple invitation from classmate Stacey Robles ’13, who asked him to speak and perform for the kids at Capitol View Elementary in Des Moines, where she served as community coordinator.

That initial opportunity laid the groundwork for Weathers to become a frequent visitor not only at Capitol View, but also at Jackson Elementary and many metro schools. He and his colleagues are making a meaningful impact by staging mini-concerts, mentoring students, hosting food and clothing drives, and providing funds for music programs. It’s rewarding work that continually invigorates his sense of purpose.

“Being a hip hop artist in Des Moines, Iowa, was a huge risk, but it works. Now it gives me some leverage to go in and speak to these kids and hopefully inspire and motivate them.”

Ultimately, it was Weathers’ highly visible presence and voice for change during the social and racial justice rallies and vigils of 2020 that paved the way for him to make even greater community contributions. Many doors have opened for him in the last two years.

“It was a massive turning point in my life. We didn’t know what impact we were having in the moment, but now we can see all the ripple effects.”

Investing in the Community’s Future

The most immediate and profound ripple effect featured the creation of the B. Well Foundation by Weathers and Katelyn Stessman — sister to another one of his good friends, Jim Stessman ’12. Rogers, meanwhile, serves as president of the foundation.

Since its inception in 2020, B. Well Foundation has already invested more than $100,000 into Des Moines metro schools. Funds are used to purchase educational tools and supplies, provide targeted financial support for at-risk students, and to host an annual basketball tournament free of charge.

“Hopefully we can help kids seize their potential before it’s too late. It took a long time for me to see the light that I had. I used to shy away from my gifts. So, I want to make sure we can help amplify voices and talent and to encourage people to be different.”

Weathers says he’s grateful for so many at Simpson who have helped him forge his own unique path, including professors who continue to support and encourage his change efforts. Over the last decade, he’s grown much more confident in himself, his music, and his movement.

“I think the seeds we’ve planted will continue to grow — I’m excited to see where it all leads.”