BLACK OBITUARY PROJECT

A. Margot Brisky, 23, well-respected empowerment speaker, international author, and national lifestyle coach, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Her drive. Her courage. A leader. A force. A gift!

Margot's invisible scars depicted a story of untamed purpose. Formally struggling to overcome her issues of abandonment, Margot abandoned her mental captivity of self-hatred and used her story to empower other women to gain a true sense of self by journeying alongside them through her process of empowerment: visualization, willingness, accountability, and distinctiveness.

Her close friends knew her to be focused, accountable and an all-around loving individual. With the most humility, Margot did what she wanted to do. She knew she had a voice, and used it to speak life into thousands of individuals. She inspired many, young and seasoned, alike. Dozens of young girls and adult women admired Margot for her tenacity, kindred spirit, and modeling her convictions. Though she overcome much adversity and achieved many things in her few years, her life abruptly ended before she could achieve her mission to bring empowerment and self-healing to 300,000 women.

With her contagious smile gone, a light in this dark world has dimmed!

A. Margot was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

A. Margot Brisky is survived by her mother, Martha Dirkes, Grandmother, Evon Boykins, 5 brothers, 3 Sisters, her biological mother and father, adoptive and biological family, friends, and dozens of mentees.

Alisha Patrice Miles, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Alisha, a vigorous young woman with endless compassion and kindness for those whom she loved, even momentary acquaintances. Her childhood years in the foster care system taught her that the warmth of love was not limited to those who shared the same blood-line as she did, not limited to those who looked the way she did, nor limited to those who shared her culture or heritage. As a soldier of the United States Army National Guard and a nursing student, Alisha, yearned to make a difference in all lives she encountered; men, women and children, young, and old.

Alisha Miles was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Alisha Miles is survived by her mother, Angela Johnson; her father, Sha’Shonee Solomon; her sister, Ashley Johnson; and her husband, Xavier Miles.

Allex Dominique Osborne, 27, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Osborne, an optimistic, genuine, and loving man who touched many hearts he came in contact. Osborne demonstrated a passion in reversing the negative stereotypical image of black inner city boys through his workshops and empowered activities to help positively build character, charismatic, sharp, intelligent God fearing men.

Allex relied on his faith and positive outlook in life to touch as many lives you can. Allex's favorite quote was, “Do what you can with what you have and never be satisfied”. He did not let anything stop him from reaching those who needed him. Allex also had a passion for Arts, African American culture, and British Literature. While in college, Osborne took a plethora of history courses, primarily African American Studies and US history during the Great depression, where he had the opportunity to present his dissertation at the African American symposium in Orlando, Fl. Allex never gave up and was unapologetic about his fight against the modern-day Jim Crow laws. He was a profound voice for African Americans oppressed by laws intended to make blacks fail.

Allex was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Allex Osborne is survived by his father Reginald; his mother LaBrentha Osborne; and his 14 sibilings Deanna, LaShaun, Rolonda, Renee, Reginald, Marthinez, David, Isaiah, Antonio, twin sister Alitia, Aisha, Christopher, Dante, and Niela.

Anthony Philip Hatten, 20, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Hatten, a man full of dreams, seeing the world for it’s potential to be all-loving, and all the while dealing with school and understanding the world’s imperfections.

In grade school he was a class clown, and loved to see everyone laughing. Growing up as a divorced child and knowing that in life there should only be room for love. He had to learn year by year, step by step what it meant to mature. He felt the best way for him to teach the world about himself was through his music.

His message to the world was the acknowledgement that we were put on this earth to love. With that message he hopes that someone can understand him and cultivate his seed and spread love on this earth. That’s what is lacking in a lot of dark hearts and he felt like it’s a huge reason for the violence going on. That was his voice, that was his song.

Anthony Hatten was a once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Anthony Hatten is survived by his mother, Kimberly L. Hatten; his father, Anthony Hatten Sr.; and his younger siblings, Hannah Hatten (8), Kaira Hatten (16), and Joshua Hatten (9 months).

Anthony F. Knatt Jr, 25, was unarmed when show and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Anthony, known to his friends as Ant or Bam, was a fun-loving and energetic individual. Anthony could light up any room he stepped foot in. He was full of hopes, dreams, and aspirations. He was outspoken and charismatic. He spent his adult life as a Emergency Room Nurse. Anthony enjoyed cooking, hanging with friends, and traveling. He had a passion for the arts; a true lover of music and poetry. Anthony lived life to the fullest, leaving no day without a new adventure experienced. He was a firm believer in the value of life being in the amount life in one's years, rather than the amount of years in one's life. 

His, however, was a life ended too soon, a beautiful spirit lost to the world of man. 

Anthony Knatt was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Anthony is survived by his parents, Anthony Sr and Bonnie, his brothers Alex and Ashton, four God kids, and a host of loving family and friends.

Ari Leibson Hawkins, 16, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Ari was a kind and charismatic child with a deep passion for music. He played multiple instruments and was studying as a vocal major at a top performing arts high school in New York City. He had devoted his life to creating and performing his songs to share his passion with the people he loved. His charm and talent captivated audiences and his thought provoking lyrics and soothing melodies brought happiness and peace to anyone that listened. His artistic idols ranged from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift. But his true inspiration came from his loved ones. Ari was a soft spoken and easygoing child that was often too shy to express himself fully. His life was cut short before he could complete his mission of pushing more love and art into the world.

Ari Leibson Hawkins was once a young man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Ari Leibson Hawkins is survived by his father, Robert Hawkins; his mother, Beth Leibson; and his sister, Maya Hawkins.

Arianna Jones, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Her passing adds to the countless number of lives demolished by badges. Her melanin was just enough to be accepted by society and dark enough to be hated in the same. She lived unapologetically; fierce and unafraid of 'the man.' Often outspoken and remorselessly honest. Her joys were found in poetry, art, and loving those even if they didn't deserve it. She thought she could change the world even if her cape was a dollar and a dream; even if she wasted her money on degrees; she pressed on religiously.

Although she is no longer a part of the flesh, she will continue to live on in memories.

Arianna Jones was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Arianna is survived by her mother Angela, her brother Justin and sister Candace.

Ariyanna Zoe Norman, 25, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Norman, a passionate and vocal advocate for mental health, was hopeful about her future. Many witnessed her highlight reel but few witnessed her struggles. During her adolescence she began to experience depressive episodes and her loving family supported her through recovery. Years later she decided mental illness was nothing to be ashamed of and she used pageants as a platform to spread that message. Ariyanna served as Miss Black Arizona 2012, Miss Chandler 2015, and was in pursuit of the Miss Arizona USA 2017 title. Watching movies was her greatest escape and the most effective tool for coping with her mental health condition. Norman’s film ideas kept her mind busy during quiet moments. She aspired to be new age blend of Dorothy Dandridge and Dorothea Dix – an important contributor to the film industry and the mental health awareness movement.

Ariyanna Zoe Norman was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Ariyanna Zoe Norman is survived by her mother, Marcia Norman; her father, Henry Norman II; her brother, Henry Norman III; and her niece Tahlia Norman. 

Brandon Keith Reed, also known as Habit Blcx, 28, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

The artist, the inspirational speaker, the charismatic social butterfly, with an infectious zest for life, was loved by many near and far.

A believer in human potential, a believer in the process and not the product, are sentiments he held dearly, as exhibited in the work he did, and art he created. 

No stranger to the nuances of Black identity and its relationship to America, he spoke truth, and inspired others to speak their truth, like so many before him did. 

And like so many like him who spoke and lived their truth, his life was cut short. 

May the power of our ancestors be wth us; are the words tattooed along his torso, are a reminder of how far we’ve come, but also a reminder of how much further we have to go.

Brandon Reed was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Brian Collins, 32, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Brian would go on to graduate from Florida State University High School, and, upon doing so, enlisted into the United States Army.

Brian served in the Army from October 2002 untilJune of 2011, after which, he attended Georgia Perimeter College, graduating with an Associates in Social Work. He then moved to Augusta, GA, where he was in his senior year.

As a grateful and proud citizen of this country, Brian has never been to jail.  Never been arrested. Never failed a sobriety test. Brian Collins has only gotten 1 ticket in his life.

Brian is survived by his mother, Dr. Sir Carter Collins, and his blue tick hound Inara

Brianne Michelle Reese (King), 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in  conflict with local police officers.

Reese was a firm believer in optimism and had a genuine love for learning. She was a native Phoenician and attended First Pentecostal Church her entire life. The church is where her love for community service was fostered. They practiced and preached, "Love (charity) never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8). In the summer before her freshman year at Arizona State, she participated in the Sankofa Summer Leadership Institute, a program to help acclimate incoming black freshmen and transfer students to the university. She was impacted tremendously, having never been in an academic setting with so many other black students before. Sankofa sparked her passion for African-American history, which became a passion for justice and true equality for her community. She declared a minor in justice studies and headed to Howard University School of Law this fall to continue to learn so that she could contribute to her community.

Brianne Reese was a young lady with a bright and promising future.

Brianne Reese was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Reese is survived by her mother and stepfather, Kawan & Matito Jaramillo; father, Ira King; and siblings Kyra King, Ari King, Sierra Reese & Daniel Reese."

Brittanee Jalon Perkins, 28, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Perkins, described as an outgoing, determined, and hilarious woman with a memorable personality, was known to many in the community as an activist and volunteer, frequently seen giving empowering motivational speeches at dozens of local high schools and events on the importance of education.  As a child, her love for music was always apparent. She was classically trained in violin and piano, and could play nearly every percussion instrument, racking up dozens of awards and distinctions by her 18th birthday. She leveraged this talent to win the titles of Miss Black Arizona USA, as well as several Miss America local titles.  Her musical gift, love for people, and commitment to volunteerism was developed during this very special time in her life. She also loved the Arts, and spent her free time, painting, crafting, and acting on numerous stages throughout the Valley. Though Brittanee lived in Phoenix, AZ the entirety of her very short life, she managed to reach millions of people all over the world. Her blog, originally designed for Christian singles, was an overnight success and became a consistent inspirational dwelling for a myriad of people from New Zealand to Botswana, looking for words of encouragement, hope, and healing. 

Brittanee Perkins was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Brittanee is survived by her parents Lena and Chris Bryant; 3 brothers, Chris, Chevyn, and Chaysi Bryant; and 1 sister, Tiffany Bryant, all of Phoenix, Arizona.  

Brittney Arlene Williams, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Brittney was born November 27th, 1992, in Sacramento, California, to Antonnia M. Williams and Charles E. Williams. Brittney was a vibrant young lady with dreams of opening a food bank that provided fresh, local, organic food for those who were less fortunate. She never hesitated to uplift a friend or a complete stranger if they were in need of a listening ear. Brittney was an advocate for equality and basic human rights. She encouraged unity and positivity among those who knew her best.

Beloved by all that knew her, may her spirit of love, peace, and empowerment resonate forever. 

Brittney Williams was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Williams is survived by her brothers Aaron Williams and Chuck Williams, sisters Courtnee Oglesby and Marquita Williams, step brothers Justin Oglesby and Marques Oglesby, step sister Krystal Oglesby, sisters in law Miayenta Oglesby and Trakecia Williams, mother Antonnia Williams, grandmother Lynette White, grandfather William (Willie) Mingo, members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and best friends Albert Timpo, Stephanie Henderson, Nicole Henderson, and Akanke Foli. 

Bryann Louis Fraser, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Bryann was sent to death by an unruly and unworthy judge, and although not here physically to plead his case, he is here in our hearts and his spirit fills the void. The air of infamy shall be cleansed by the voices on Earth and the heir of martyrdom shall be placed upon his head. His truth cannot be overshadowed by propaganda used to turn those like him against each other, and his insight into true meaning will never be forgotten. The message he stood for was not one of repentance, but solidarity; and he would want to be remembered in that way, as well as a black man.

Bryann Louis Fraser was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Bryann is survived by his loving mother, resilient father, and a group of brilliant counterparts.

Bryce Michael Wood, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in a conflict with local police officers.

Wood, a friend to most, was a warm-hearted man of many faces as he was an aspiring actor. Wood excelled in the world of athletics from a young age, which led him to the University of Notre Dame on a Track & Field scholarship. It was there that Bryce was first introduced to the world of theatre. During his Junior year at the University, Bryce, a marketing major, took an Intro. to Theatre course for the non-major to fulfill a fine arts requirement. It was the professor in this class, Ken Cole, that encouraged Bryce to audition for the upcoming play. After that moment he never looked back, going on to pursue his Master of Fine Arts in Acting at the University of Connecticut under the direction of Dale AJ Rose. It was there where he discovered his true reason for acting, “My personal goal as an artist in the theatre is to inspire the next generation of artists to redefine their craft and continue to want more form their craft. As an African American actor I have the opportunity to change the landscape of theatre for all artists of color. The goal is not necessarily to become famous, but rather, to be exceptionally well in the art of storytelling to inspire the masses. In order to reach change for African Americans in America we must first change public perception.” This is just a glance into the developing mind of an artist about to begin his third and final year of graduate school. Wood now performs for the Lord on the biggest stage there is, Heaven.

Bryce Wood was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Bryce Michael Wood is survived by his mother, Janelle Wood and his father, Andrew Wood.

Byron Ja'Von Neal (B.J. Suave), 21, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Neal was born on June 15, 1995, and passed away on July 15, 2016, the day when his deceased great-grandmother Dr. Sylvia Pennington--his role model--was born. 

Neal had no criminal records and had never been in trouble with the law. A great, civil African American citizen, B.J. was a dreamer, adventurer, a humanitarian and many great adjectives and nouns. He was an undergraduate senior and the first generation in his family to go to a university. His plan was to get his B.A. & M.A. in Business Communications, Spanish language, and minors in Health & Nutrition. He loved education. An individual who overcame the challenges of being gay and black in this world, he was a true role model for everyone who knew him. May his legacy of achievements continue through his prodigy, younger sister, Gabrielle, 14 years young.

May his death be a reminder of the ungodly deaths and injustice acts made by police officers.

Byron Neal was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Byron Neal is survived by his mother, Tonya Neal, his father, Antoine Cole, and younger sister, Gabrielle Cooper, and many more...

Carel-Lee Carissa Bernard, 20, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Bernard was a big heart, constantly trying to reach out to the people around her and provide support. She was easily enraptured by the human spirit and always fought to find ways to protect and uplift it.. After the death of Trayvon Martin, she began to mobilize and vocalize to try to become a voice for the people around her.

The loss of Carel’s light, love, infectious laughter and insanely comical facial expressions, has certainly dimmed our community.

Carel Bernard was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Carel Bernard is survived by her mother, Careen Bernard; step-father, John Bernard and her little sister Charlie Bernard. 

Carla Denay Walters was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Walters, a timeless soul, was released from her human experience while protecting the very thing she held dear—the legacy of Black kings and queens on Earth. While her body succumbed to its injuries, her spirit lives on.

From an early age, Carla expressed great interest in connecting to the Black experience in every possible way.  From participating in national Black history competitions as a teen, to volunteering for various social justice organizations into adulthood, she demonstrated a fiery passion for her culture. Carla was also an artist, whose cultural paintings and poetry have been subjects of great acclaim. Though she was a woman of few words, art served as an outlet for her vivid thoughts.

Carla pursued her purpose unapologetically. She was free. She is free. Always. All ways. 

Carla Walters was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Carla Walters is survived by her loving family, including most of all, her beloved daughter Maliah Amil.

Chanel Nichole Corliss McFollins, 21, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

McFollins, a gracious and meticulous woman, was also very anxious and perplexing person. She exhibited a profound passion for Black and African culture, and for women’s equality in every aspect of life. As a teenager, McFollins was blind to how deep her affections were, or what they meant, but she fostered them and inspired her peers along the way. She spent time travelling every summer; first in America and later to Europe to historically Black cities and colleges, old slave churches and plantations, beaches where indigenous people made their lives, the grave sites and stomping grounds of James Baldwin and Josephine Baker, and so much more. McFollins’ studies and her travels brought her to a place of pure love and appreciation for herself and her people, but she also carried an endless sense guilt, similar to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, “Where was your antennas, where was the influence/You speak of?”,  when her 18 year old brother was arrested for possession and her sister became another teenage victim to societal pressures. McFollins wanted to be part of change in the Black community, but struggled to even make change in her home. She had recently accepted that life is a journey, not a race.

Chanel McFollins was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Chanel McFollins is survived by her mother, Nikole McFollins; her father, Eddie McFollins; and her siblings, Matthew and Kamil McFollins.

Channel Powe, 35, beloved public servant, community advocate and Elected Official, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Ms. Powe was poised for excellence, a community champion and thought leader. Over the course of ten years in Phoenix as a voice for the voiceless and passionate advocate for marginalized communities. Powe was a regular at public meetings and meaningful rallies. As an activist, she worked diligently to change the trajectory between community and police. A natural born leader, her grassroots efforts engaged those that aren’t often set out in low-income communities. Powe was committed to raising awareness about civic engagement, implicit bias and the power of inclusion.

Channel Powe name is added to the ever growing list of hashtags. Like many African-Americans before her that life was stolen by local law enforcement, she was unarmed. Powe often stated emphatically, that she was willing to die for liberation. She credits her ancestors for her strength.

Channel Powe legacy will live through; policy, service, mentees, and the plethora of lives that she’s impacted.

Channel Powe was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Channel Powe is survived by her brilliant son, Jerod Martin, Jr., brothers & sister, family, friends and a loving community.

Chantell Monique Overstreet, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Overstreet was an intelligent and highly driven young woman.  She was grounded in her religious beliefs. She aspired to be a young, black artist. Overstreet lived for the art. She wrote books, poems, short stories, sang, danced, choreographed and even orchestrated events.  Overstreet was scheduled to start her master’s program at Arizona State University fall of 2016. She saw the value in education, it was so important to her.

She was rich in her heritage.  Overstreet was the embodiment of a proud black woman.  Overstreet idolized some of the greats; Martin Luther King Jr., Angela Davis, Malcom X, Mahatma Gandhi, Beyoncé and many more. She aspired to make an impact like her idols someday. That opportunity has been taken from her. 

Chantell Overstreet was one a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Chantell Overstreet is survived by her mother, Mikko Overstreet; her grandparents, Mr.  & Mrs. Louis Overstreet Jr.; and her sister, Chanell Overstreet.

Charles L. Peters Jr., 36, was unarmed when shot and killed by local police officers.

Peters, a champion of various art scenes across the South, was regarded as a shining example of passion and work ethic.

Throughout his journey, Peters failed several times in his attempt to crack the code of Black manhood, a feat complicated by a single-mother upbringing and accumulated habits that his lifestyle fostered. However, the morals and principles his mother instilled in him as a child eventually led to a pivotal showdown with the mirror. In an effort to strengthen his foundation as a husband and father, Peters realigned his priorities and entered college at 31 to pursue a career that would allow him to be more attentive to the financial and emotional needs of his family. He decided to dedicate his life to the education of young people in underserved communities.

One month before he was shot and killed by police officers, he had secured his first teaching position at a school on the Westside of Atlanta. He was prepared to embrace the challenges that come with educating an overtly oppressed community.

Charles blared rap music from his car but lowered the volume when he pulled up to his mother’s house. He cocked his hats to the side but removed them when he entered the classroom. He represented Hip Hop culture and was a proud Black man; he turned that down for nothing and no one. Peters was a son, a husband, a father, an uncle, an artist, an educator, and an activist.

Charles Peters was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa; his daughter, Zhavani; his mother, Connie Parks; his father, Charles Peters Sr.; his brother, Brandon; his sisters, Toria and Tashell; and his art – which he always created with the future in mind.

Chase Michael Torrence, 25, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Torrence, a funny, caring, and influential person amongst his friends and colleagues, had dreams of changing the world.  At an early age, he knew he wanted to be “known” for something. It was not until recent that he felt compelled to put his energy into politics, and social activism work. After years of entertainment industry experience and a Masters degree in music, the Lord directed him to use his skills and influence to make a difference, to educate, and to inspire. He was about to embark on that journey as he just landed a new job a few weeks after his passing. Growing up in a conservative town, those dreams were stunted by bigotry and close-minded social beliefs. It was the unwavering love of his single mother who always told him he is special, and that he can be anything he ever wanted to be. He was fed up living in an unjust world, and was finding ways to balance the playing field for marginalized communities. This new line of work would be easy for him, as everyone loved him and everyone wanted to be his friend. There was no such thing as “strangers” to Chase. Strangers were just friends he hadn’t met yet. With his infectious personality, he hoped that he could rally those dear to him, those who listened, followed, and believed in his message, to join him in the effort in making the world a more fair and inclusive place. 

Chase Michael Torrence was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Chase Michael Torrence is survived by his mother, Kathy Studer; his stepfather, Richard Studer; his Father; Curtis Torrence, his Brother; Aaron Torrence, his Sisters; Album Wilson and Chelsie Torrence, and his nieces, Hayden Wilson and Alexea Torrence.

Rev. Chavez Bell, 16, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Rev. Chavez Bell was an optimistic, righteous, wonderful man of God, wonderful pastor, and loving man, who not only spread love and gave to others, but demonstrated a passion for reversing the negative stereotypical image of the African American community.

Bell, born December 2, 1999 in Flint, MI, in Hurley hospital, was a charismatic, sharp, intelligent, God-fearing man. Bell was called to ministry by God at the age of 4 years old but born a prophet. He became an ordained minister at the age of 16.

Chavez relied on his faith to touch as many lives as he possibly could. He always searched for positivity in situations. His favorite quote came from Carl Jung, who said “When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate.” Chavez was more like a shepherd when dealing with people. He was always gentle and tried to understand but also change their lives and show them Christ.

One of his favorite bible scriptures was Proverbs 15:1, which says “A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” Chavez was a hardworking man who never let anyone stop him from reaching those in need of help.

Chavez served on student council as president in middle school and high school for a total amount of four years. He then taught history in 8th grade. His first lesson was on black history. He then became a very bright and productive young man. Reverend Chavez Bell had 3 sisters named Brandi O. Thomas, Mariae Broom, and Mariah Bell; he had five brothers named Quinten T. Fontenot, Tamont’a Hill, Donald Brooks, a twin named Javez S. Bell, and a late brother, Kelvin Smith Jr.; he had secondary mothers named Katrina Coronado, Baiyina Abdas, and Terra Mcclary; and he had grandparents named Willie and Karen Andrews, Yolanda Dukes, Sue Gaston-Robinson, and Desiree DiLucchio.

Reverend Chavez Bell was not only a wonderful minister called by God but he was also a wonderful musician. Bell played 12 instruments, conducted a symphony orchestra and directed four choirs. Reverend Chavez L. Bell was founder/pastor of First Galilean International Assembly of Phoenix. He was focused on reaching out to teach the gospel to the youth, designing a church for all ages but focused on youth.

Chavez is survived by his Mother, Joelene Bell; his Father, Octum Bell; and late brother, Kelvin Smith Jr. 

Chelsea Vicente, 26, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Vicente, a healer, was described by many as loving, possessing an older, maternal like spirit. She grew up in the arts and always had a strong love for music and theatre. As she grew older, her love for arts only fueld her passion for social justice and human rights. This has pushed her into the education career where she worked as a middle school and high school teacher in Phoenix, AZ. Her wisdom shared has often been attributed to her early independence at 16 years old. She drew her knowledge of rich African spirituality from her Ancestors, Elders and Africana studies. Her passion can only be accredited to her deeply rooted belief in humanity and the youth.

Chelsea Vicente was once a woman upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Chinenye "Chi" Okudoh, 22, unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Chinenye was a women of culture. As a Nigerian immigrant, she was introduced to the American Dream early. She wanted to spread this dream to children in underrepresented communities. She later became interested in the mental health of black youth and dived into an interest of a career in psychiatry and neurology.

She was the epitome of strength and the backbone that held her family together .

Chinenye Okudoh came to engage and inspire , but was murdered by this same American Dream she longed for.

Chinenye Okudoh was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Chinenye Okudoh is survived by her mother ; Ngozi Okudoh, her father Olisah Okudoh, and her three siblings: Obinna Okudoh, Onyinye Okudoh, and Chinedu Okudoh.

Chukwuemeka (Emeka) Anayochukwu Ikegwuonu, 32, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Emeka was a servant leader and active in his community for over 16 years. He loved being a part of his community, and learning from various cultures and ethnicities. He loved being immersed in his culture, and the intersection of numerous identities; blending this experience called life together. He believed his resume should be written by the breath of the individuals he has helped throughout his years.

Emeka was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Chukwemeka Ikegwuonu is survived by his mother, Thelma Ikegwuonu; his father Ikechukwuka Ikegwuonu; his brothers Raluchi Jachi Ikegwuonu; Ikechukwu Ikegwuonu; wife Tiffany D. Ikegwuonu; and his son, Chukwujekwu Ikegwuonu.

Christopher Michael Chavers, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Chavers, a local activist and community organizer, was reported to have been engaged in a long standing battle with depression and hypermasculinity, after losing many friends to police brutality. Loved by his peers and mentors, Chavers was a constant ray of sunshine juxtaposed against a darkening world. As a child, Chavers was an avid student, testing in the highest percentiles. Like a rose growing from concrete, he wasn't one to let his Southern California upbringing prevent his growth. Chavers, an aficionado of music and art would spend hours curating his collection of vinyls and paintings. His final words are thought to be a lone tweet quoting rapper Kanye West, "What's worse? The pain or the hangover."

Christopher Chavers was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Chavers is survived by his mother Rukiya Chavers, father Michael Chavers, And two siblings Andrew and Micaela.

Craig Bailey, 29, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Bailey was a vessel that God used to teach individuals how to become financially free.  He understood it was not about becoming rich, but more so about teaching people how to use money as a resource to uplift communities.  As a child he demonstrated a level of discipline that was noteworthy for someone his age.  He grew up seeing his dad do seven years in jail.  He grew up spending birthdays helping his mother do laundry at the local laundromat.  He grew up seeing four of his childhood friends die before the end of high school, and five others end up in jail before the age of twenty-one.   Discipline was what allowed him to attain a bachelor degree, master degree, and ultimately make it to Beverly Hills, CA.  May he be remembered as a humble servant that devoted his life to helping individuals live a life of prosperity and abundance. 

Craig Bailey was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Craig Bailey is survived by his wife, Tabitha Bailey; his daughter, Mali Bailey; his mother, Marilyn Bailey; his father, Craig Bailey Sr.; and his sister, Deoshanae Bailey.  

The troubled & tenacious creative Crsh (formerly known as Brandon White, age unknown) was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

From birth, Crsh was a lover of the world, for he used his perception of it to create his own short stories, comic books, drawings/paintings, and songs as a young child all while receiving 4.0 throughout elementary. Crafty and resilient at heart, at 9 years old he even managed to learn and play the full composition of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" by ear which served as a milestone in his musical journey. As he got older, the world got darker, he got wiser, he became free. Perceived as crazy to most, his vision was perfectly clear. He would never admit it, but he has served as a inspiration to virtually anyone who caught contact of his high. Although he'll be missed, he'll always be around.

CRSH was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Daneeque Chamberlain, 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Chamberlain was a spirited, kind-hearted, intelligent woman who was deep in her faith and trust in Christ. Her drive to create happiness in the people around her is what we will remember and cherish. She was pursuing her masters degree at Grand Canyon University after receiving her Bachelors at Arizona State and would've been the first in her family to hold an MBA. She gave back to the young women in her community by using her spare time to coach volleyball. Spending hours with 12-14 year olds teaching them more than just volleyball skills, but to be loving human beings; some thing we lack in this world.

She wanted to be the leader for her family. The first one to show them they could be whoever they wanted to be, if they worked for it. Her beautiful, contagious smile will not be forgotten.

Daneeque Chamberlain was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Chamberlain is survived by her mother, Tracey Chamberlain; her father, Shelton Colter; and her younger siblings, Jade, Devin, Shelton, Demietri, and Jackson.

Davon Marcus Gaskins, 25 was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Davon was a young man who dedicated his life to bettering the quality of life of others like himself. Davon was an athlete, college graduate, activist, brother, cousin, son & grandson. We celebrate a man who's passion drove him to make unparalleled sacrifices & touch the lives of many young people all across the world. During elementary school, Davon was just a geeky kid who loved basketball, anime cartoons and classic super heroes. He never backed down or let others get bullied and always tried to do the right thing. He lived to make his family and hood proud and his childhood fascination with heroes helped him grow into a honorable, respectful, and helpful young man.

 Davon Gaskins was once a man on this Earth, yet he is no longer.

 Davon Gaskins is survived by his mother, Florence Gaskins; his father Andre Griffin and his brothers and sisters; Andre Griffin Jr, Andre Copper, and Bradyn & Brieson Griffin.

Demetrius Gunnar Burns, 26, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Burns was an eccentric, scattershot display of coordinated miscalculations and quicksilver grace. Blackness was elusive to his bifurcated, biracial soul. But he still chased it—whatever he felt it looked like—even if it didn’t look like him. When he was 21, his mind opened and words flew out. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder—but he called it getting wings. When he entered rooms, his words flew all around—sometimes hitting, sometimes missing—but they were always swinging for the fences no matter the consequences .His smile was bifurcated, too. His top row shone, bottom row hid—mostly because the world couldn’t hold anymore of his mouth. And mostly because he couldn’t.

Demetrius Burns was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Demetrius is survived by his mother, Miriam White; his father, Edward Burns; his sister Kionna Burns; and his brother Jaden Burns.

Derell Najee Hampton, 25, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Derell was a 25 year-old young man from Compton, California, who never caused trouble for anybody. His mother was sick with Huntington’s disease and his father, now deceased, was a military man. Hampton, however, was raised by his great-aunt,  who was rough on him but kept him out of trouble. Derell was never great at any one thing, but good at many, which was due to his wide curiosity for life. He decided, even with all of his siblings at California universities, to expand his knowledge of his southern roots and black culture alike by attending Tuskegee University.

There his thirst, became more narrowed to black culture, spirituality and helping others. Derell spent 6 years at the university where he learned about every emotion that comes with life lessons, including love and heartbreak; but he was able to use these lessons as building blocks for his future. Going into his last year at Tuskegee, he met a black chiropractor that imprinted on him for life, and that’s when he decided to become a chiropractor.

Derell graduated from Tuskegee University in 2015, and came back home to attend Southern California University of Health Sciences for their Chiropractic Program in the fall of 2016. Sadly, before he could finish his last two years and bring the beautiful world of chiropractic into the black community, he was taken from us.

Derell Najee Hampton loved life and the bonds that he shared with everyone in it.

Derell Najee Hampton was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Derell Najee Hampton is survived by his Great-Aunt/Mother (Olivia Hamlette), two older brothers (David Hampton, II and Dominic Hampton), his older sister (Nina Hicks), and his girlfriend (Tiffany Rose).

Derrick Antowan Colter, 28, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Colter was a wholly passionate and invested in things important to him; family, friends, and social issues.

As a child, Derrick was very quiet and cautious, soaking in everything around him and allowing the good and bad to shape who he would become as an adult. He had a passion for sports and met many of his lifelong friends through numerous youth sporting leagues. Many of those friends became family and supported him immensely when his father passed away with little notice.

Without his father’s guidance and rule, Derrick lost control and did not have the support he needed to get back on track. For years, he struggled with severe depression, until his first son was born. This beautiful child lifted his spirits and the true Derrick was resurrected.

Family was of the utmost importance to Derrick, his most treasured and precious gift. He was outspoken about the injustices in the world and participated activist groups, believing that he could make a change in the world.

Derrick Colter was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Derrick Colter is survived by his wife, Brittany; his sons’ Jordan and Klayton; his mother, Brigitte; his brothers, Shelton, Edward, and Tristan; and his sisters, Tamesha and Tarrah.

Desiree Booker, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Desiree, a highly perceptive soul rebel, was a powerful voice of reason fervently committed to her authentic self. She found her socially conscious voice at the tender age of 10—writing rap lyrics about the fatally vicious violence epidemic in Philadelphia that took one of her closest childhood friends. Marveled by the talent of artists like Kanye West, Common, and Erykah Badu, she quickly learned the power of positive black images in media. Big lips, short hair, and skinny, she was unhappy with herself—that is, until she became a Spelman woman. She celebrated her blackness for four years straight with bantu knots, kente cloth, and shea butter. Of all the accolades under her belt, she was most proud of her allegiance to remaining her true self in the belly of a beast known as White America. Desiree was a talented, endearing, charismatic young woman who epitomized Black excellence.

Desiree Booker was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Desiree Booker is survived by her mother, Stephanie Booker, and sister, Dejona Coulibaly.

Dior Michelle Burnley-Edwards, 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Burnley was a vibrant, kind hearted soul. She was a woman of grace, loyalty and integrity with a splash of sass.

At the age of two, Burnley was involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. This accident caused her to lose her mobility in both of her legs and eventually a learning disability. Her mother, LaNisha Burnley, worked closely with doctors to get her as much help as possible, but the only hope they could give her was the ability to walk again. Throughout, Burnley's younger years she struggled through school. Her mother motivated and worked with her each day to overcome her learning disability and that is what she did. By high school, Burnley was enrolled in three Advance Placement classes and graduated with honors. She was the first person in her immediate family to attend a university and receive a Bachelor's Degree. Burnley applied her familiarity with mentoring young women and helping our young community--she applied these along with with her beautiful spirit toward developing meaningful contributions, and these contributions were integral to Burnley's identity. 

Dior Burnley was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Dior Burnley is survived by her mother, LaNisha Burnley; Grandmother, Beadie Burnley; her sister Jalyn Cason; a host of aunties and uncles; and sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

D’Irikc La’Roi Daleyon Trotter, 26, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Trotter, a believer of potential and hope in others, yet struggled with his own thoughts of who and how to be. Some knew him as Bud, Texas, Dee or maybe even Rick. Bud was very curious child which would be the foundation of his future. Texas was lonely and hot tempered, often found solace in his academics but street life was always on his mind. Dee, the scholar who didn’t take class seriously, worked hard to learn a different way outside of the classroom. Rick, the young professional who just wanted an opportunity. All of these steps in life created the man who many of you got to know. Trotter strived to be more like this Grandmother, who was the most selfless person he’d know. He mentored, provided, and shared knowledge with those around him who he loved the most. He always saw hope and potential in youth and sought to create a mindset in them to see that same thing.

D’irikc Trotter was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

D’Irikc Trotter is survived by his mother, Damethra Johnson; brother Jermanie Trotter; and his sisters, Jamecia Johnson and Kartilia Phillips.  

Dom Verbs was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Dom Verbs of Los Angeles California leaves behind dreams of hopefulness. Just a kid compared to the rest of the life he had left to live. His mission rooted in inspiring all of mankind by restoring often omitted traditions. Those traditions placed fear in the eyes of a lifetaker, he full of prayer could not escape, therefore we exhale on this day for a life lived greatly. We are grateful, he our King framed Pawn, The seed planted on toxic grounds, the rose erected through concrete boundaries, found lifeless and misunderstood. They took hood to be his intentions, but ignored the vision he had to save it, but still and less they forgot to mention he earned a Degree in English, and credentials in Philosophy and Audio Engineering.

Dom Verbs was once a man upon the Earth, yet he is no longer.

Dom Verbs is survived by his mother, Stephanie Washington; two little brothers, Joshua Nash and Patrick Washington; his father, Charles Flagg; and his little sister, Charise Flagg.

Dominique Nathaniel Bush, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Bush was a hard-working, fun-loving, young man who had just started to hit his stride and tap into his full potential in life. He drifted through the Inglewood, CA Public School System, while also attending a couple private schools intermittently. This helped Bush develop a great balance. A balance in which taught him the harsh reality of his neighborhood & immediate surroundings, but taught him also how to put on a suit & tie and move in a room full of vultures. So, he drove his coupe through white neighborhoods the same way he drove through “the hood”. Two 12-inch subwoofers in his trunk on full blast, windows rolled down, and the sunroof open. As to let them know, he was here, he worked for it & he wasn’t going anywhere.

Bush learned early on the streets he traveled were rife with obstacles—the most staunch of which were employed by the state. Bush's grandfather often told him the story of his great-uncle, Roy Thompson, who was shot and killed by the LAPD in the 1970s. His grandfather's constant telling of this story acquainted Bush at a young age with a long-standing reality. This reality was all too real, but it was one Bush never thought he'd have to face himself. 

Bush knew where he was headed while never, ever ceasing to forget the soil in which his roots were planted.

Dominique Bush was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Dominique Bush is survived by his mother, Shiela Thompson-Soles; his step-father, Hiram Soles; his grandmother, Effie Thompson; his dad, Robert Bush; his step-mother, Alesheia Randolph Bush; his brothers, Marcus, Antoine, and Hiram Jr.; his sisters, Jamila and Tanit; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Dominic Joseph, 28, was an unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police offices. Joseph, a light-hearted, yet introverted man cared for his community and family above all else. A man commended, by others, for his dedication to the betterment of his own circumstances and the systemic issues plaguing his community. He was born into humble beginnings as a child to two young adults in Los Angeles. After his father left, his mother raised him as a single parent and raised him to strive for success despite the lack of resources and prominent male guidance. As a youth, he purposed his passion for basketball to escape the countless addictions that afflicted so many men around him and was able to avoid the pitfalls of street economics and politics. When his athletic dreams were prematurely crushed in a car accident, he redirected his energies towards academics to become a first-generation college graduate. Joseph faced a number of obstacles throughout his life but always tried to use his experience to help others in similar circumstances. Whether it was taking leadership roles in community organizations, working with at-risk youth or mentoring high school and college students, Joseph leveraged his hardships to positively alter the lives of others. While far from perfect, he continuously worked to one day become a man his grandchildren could be proud of and his community could rely upon. He will be unable to fulfill that aspiration.

Dominic Joseph was once a man upon this Earth, yet he no longer.

Dominic Joseph is survived by his mother and his sister. 

Dominique Aspen Thompson, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Ms. Thompson always wore a bright smile, shared a contagious laugh, and carried great optimism, and fervor for helping others. She served a helping life through her career, volunteer activities, and her non-profit, Never Too Young, Inc. Dominique Thompson always carried a full schedule of activities, for she was an avid Girl Scout since the 2nd grade, on a dance/step team, and in many sports. She would always name “helping others” as her number one hobby and found an interest in people’s personalities. Her psychology interest sparked in high school, where she was also a part of the Track & Field, Step, and Cross Country teams. She stayed active in her community and her school and attended several national conferences exploring the experiences of people of color in predominately white institutions. This background led to her receiving her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Human Relations from High Point University.  She had a love for life that no one could deny. Believing each person is put on earth with a positive purpose to fulfill, she fulfilled hers through positively inspiring others. She grew from being just an optimist to an optimistic realist with a gift for encouraging others to go after their dreams and teaching others how to live abundantly and make the best of all situations.

Dominique Thompson was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Dominique Thompson is survived by her mother, Melba Gaillard; her father, Clinton Thompson, her sisters Evyn Thompson and Sierra Thompson, and her brother, Cordell Thompson.

Elaissia Briana Christina Sears, 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in an altercation with local law enforcement.

Sears, affectionately known as "Lei", was a firecracker of a young woman who never took "no" for an answer. When she wasn't jet setting to new destinations as a global citizen, she was making her impact domestically, a physical representation of the importance of diversity. Born to New Orleans natives Ernest and Kiana Sears, she had a bright future ahead of her. In her youth, she dedicated most of her time to the arts, from theatre, to dance, and eventually the art of international diplomacy. Growing up in a pre-dominantly white area, she was often the only Black person in her immediate vicinity, leaving her to define Blackness as she saw fit. Fiercely dedicated to the right to live and love while Black, she was an agent of change and influenced countless strangers and peers as a social activist.

Elaissia was a beacon of hope for many, a bright light snuffed out too soon.

Elaissia Sears was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Erik Anthony Hooker, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Hooker was a man who tried to enjoy every aspect of life. Hooker's love for music, most notably hip hop, is the thing that most people will remember him for. The people who were close to Hooker will remember him for his generous heart and contagious sense of humor. Hooker was trying to be a positive role model for his young nephew and nieces. Hooker was expecting a child of his own in December.

Erik Hooker was a loving husband, son, uncle and soon to be father, a loyal friend, and an United States Soldier.

Erik Hooker was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Erik Hooker is survived by his wife, Nicole; his mother, Amy; and his brother and sister. 

Ezra Emanuel Hazell, Sr, 38, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Hazell, a creative and thoughtful man who was as selfless as any person could come. Ezra was an ambitious man that always had a desire to help others and was loved by all those he has met in his life. He demonstrated a profound love for design and technology; this love developed a talent that helped shape the lives of many. Ezra was a man that valued the importance of education. Serving in the Army during one of the country’s greatest conflicts has made Ezra to know the true meaning of being a selfless leader. He fought for social injustice and equality prior to serving in the military to fighting for the liberties of those abroad. Continuing to fight those same fights after his tenure. Hazell looked back at his past to help make a difference in the present to reflect change for the future. He knew that there is one thing nobody can take away from him or anyone, and that is a good solid education. Hazell’s love for education helped guide him to become the first person in his family to receive undergrad and graduate degrees. Being a father and husband has allowed Ezra to be a role model and mentor for his family. He always sought out to do what is best for them and have them want nothing and understand the importance of hard work and a good education can do for you in this world. 

Ezra Hazell was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Ezra Hazell is survived by his wife, Kristie Hazell; mother, Cheryl Hazell; his brothers, Baraka Dorsey, Jamik Dorsey, Jonathan Dorsey; sister Naomi Hazell-Foster; and his four children, Te’Zariah, Sabrina, Trinity, and Ezra, Jr aka EJ. 

Faith Nyambura Njau, 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. Faith, an outgoing, compassionate soul was—to many—a beacon of beauty and brains.  She believed with every breath in her that she was a queen in every right. Faith didn’t always believe this too be so; having been raised in a home that was not aware of the magic that beings of African descent possessed, she was unable to channel the unique energy she had been blessed with; and therefore didn’t have much of a foundation to support the weight of the obstacles she would face due to her complexion. As she aged intto adulthood, and well I might add, Faith overcame those obstacles through help from her fellow sisters. Lauryn, Erykah, Leela, and India, just to name a few, taught Faith that being black and to add, being a W-O-M-A-N meant you were the epitome of God on Earth. Being exposed to her sisters’ music deepened her love for black culture, black love, black power, and all things black unity, letting no man convince her that the skin she had been assigned, was less than five-fifths of a man.  Faith always used her beauty to invite her fellow Blacks and her brains to ignite their beautiful minds. Through the anguish white supremacy caused her, Faith never regretted choosing to live. Living through love, compassion, and soul, Faith stressed the importance of embracing the tint in her complexion; for it was the spice that made everything nice, and indeed Faith was everything nice.

Faith was once a soul upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Faith Nyambura Njau--soon to have been Mrs. Faith Nyambura--Musaddiq is survived by her fiancé, Karriem Musaddiq. 

Fatimah Muhammad, 25, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Muhammad, a sharp-tongued, free-spirited woman was a lifetime studious learner filled with happiness. As a child, her mother taught her the rhetoric of X, Garvey, Newton, Farrakhan, and Assata. These teachings, along with Muhammad's fervent passion for learning, fueled her with a strong sense of pride for her culture. As an aspiring Physician and activist, Fatimah vowed to fight for justice for Black people across the African Diaspora, and serve them with only the best care. Muhammad's unwavering love for Blackness geared her into a mindset where Black represented love, power, unity, freedom, justice, and the pinnacle of equality.

Taken from us was an angel of light; a lover of justice, and a martyr for peace.

She is survived by her 7 siblings, her mother Vickie and father Ricky, and a slew of family and friends across the country.

Rest in Power, Queen. 

Frank Hogan Jr.  was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Hogan was a young man with a lot of potential but still trying to find his place in the world. He passed with a love for knowledge, reading, and an imagination that could eclipse the sun.

He loved life and did his best to succeed in it everyday, whether through community service activity, or taking time to understand the "why's" and "how's" of the world. He didn't have many needs or wants and his love for family and friends were never questioned. Frank was well on his way to receiving a Bachelors Degree at Arizona State University. He will be missed.

Frank Hogan was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Frank is survived by his father, Frank Hogan Sr.; his mother, Reverend Pamela R. Shelton; and his younger brother Xavier Hogan.

Frankie Lynn Aguilh, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police.

Growing up in the suburbs of northern New Jersey, in the shadows of the big city, she learned from an early age that she was different from those around her, both in thought and in color. But rather than let that hinder her from reaching for things "people like her" did not do, she embarked on adventures unexpected - learning to play classical piano at 4, the youngest of her class year after year; becoming a well-loved sports journalist at West Orange High School, her stories pinned on classroom walls and refrigerators. 

Eventually she left home to embark on a new adventure in Phoenix, Arizona, carrying with her, the strength and love of education that her Haitian-born mother and father instilled in her, along with carrying the memory of her older brother, whom she had lost at the age of 11, and did not yet get to show the world what talents and gifts Aguilh children had to offer the world. 

Aguilh was a woman filled with possibility. At such a young age she could do anything and go anywhere. She yearned for better, for herself, for her family, for her world. But now, she yearns no more; her journey holds no more mysteries, no more winding paths, no more turns.

Frankie Aguilh was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Aguilh is survived by her mother, Langirene Aguilh and her father, Reverend Franck Aguilh

Israel Mohamed Solomon 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. Solomon, a talented, well-spoken, individual was to all, a creative loving soul. He had a tremendous love for music, which began from his parents. His father would be playing the sounds of peter tosh, piano playing by Mozart. His mother enjoyed 60s soul like Brenton wood and loved George Clintons p-funk. This ultimately influenced Israel to get involved with music, from early dabbing on the piano, to the tenor saxophone, and even singing in choir starting in middle school and going on into high school. Little did he know just a few short years after high school this would lead him to be known as a speaker, musician, and bandleader of his very own jazz collective?

Israel Solomon was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Israel Solomon is loved by his mother, Carol Solomon; his father; Moses Solomon; as well as, his two sisters and one brother.

Jade Victoria Robinson, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. Robinson, a passionate, devoted, selfless, lively woman was—to many— a loyal friend and loving daughter. As a child, Robinson developed a passion for medicine and worked tirelessly throughout high school, college and some years of graduate school to achieve her goals using education as a passport to her future. Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Jade was surrounded by adversity that taunted her to work towards servant leadership, believing that where there is no struggle, there is no prosperity. She used every loss and heartbreak as a means to master strength and agility.

Robinson was unapologetically devoted to being an agent of change. She wished to see a world where no one was denied access to love, health, happiness and fulfillment. Due to her untimely death, Robinson was not able to fully live her truth but her contributions to this world and compassionate soul will forever be engrained in the lives she touched.

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” – Buddha

Jade Robinson was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Jade Robinson is survived by her mother, Gerri Russ; her father, Winston Robinson; her brother Gregory Frazier; sisters, Natasha and Mashawn Frazier; her grandmother, Addie B. Robinson; her dogs that she called her sons, Jaxon and Gizmo; and a host of family, friends, and sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Jade Chantal Romain, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Romain, a graduate student at Columbia University was expected to graduate in December with her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology. She was dedicating her work as a speech pathologist to provide therapy for juveniles and adult inmates in detention centers who were diagnosed with speech and language impairments. Beyond her degree, Jade began a non-governmental organization in Zambia, Africa, to help create sustainable education within the Zambian schools by providing educational resources to the students.

Her nickname was Jadiebug, which reflected her sincere love for animals and nature. Jade aimed to love everyone, and believed it was every human’s moral obligation to speak up for those who don't have a voice for themselves—the oppressed and vulnerable. She strongly believed that each individual should do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with God, no matter what their personal circumstances may be.

Jade Romain was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Jade is lovingly remembered by her mother, Robyn Shakir; father, Pacia Shakir; biological father, Reggie Romain; grandmother, Charlavonna Wade. Jade will also be fondly remembered by her sisters, Alis, Destinn, Regina, Saharah, and brothers, Kleshaam and Tajh. 

Ja’han Elliot Jones, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Jones, an enigmatic, thoughtful man was—to many—a juncture of party and poise. He demonstrated a profound love for depictions of Blacks in art; this love spurred, ironically, by a white man. In his adolescence, Jones begged his parents to read—over, and over, and over, and over, and over again—Ezra Jack Keats’ Whistle for Willie, and imagined himself the book’s little Black boy, Peter. Jones’ love for Blacks in art matured throughout his teenage years, ultimately guiding him into infatuation with Black literature. And his familiarity with the Black canon steered him into a potent state of unapologetic Blackness—one in which the James Baldwins and Young Jeezy’s; the bell hookses and the Queen Bey’s; the Frantz Fanons and the Futures all occupied hallowed, cherished beautiful space in Jones’ identity.

Ja’han Jones was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Ja’han Jones is survived by his mother, Dr. Kim Jones; his father, Dr. Noland Jones; and his brother, Ka’mal Jones. 

James Adams Corbett II, 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Corbett, a loving, thoughtful man was—to many—a shy, calm, and introverted individual. He demonstrated a profound love for cooking; this love spurred, by his love for family and bringing them together through food. In his youth, Corbett expressed his love for cooking—over, and over, and over, and over, and over again—directly by making some of his favorite dishes and indirectly through his favorite cooking shows on Food Network, and imagined himself behind the cameras of his own cooking show. Corbett’s love for Culinary Arts grew throughout his teenage years, ultimately guiding him through his short journey through life. And through his life experiences it steered him into a state on unapologetic Blackness. That level of awareness and his passion for Culinary Arts has made even the greatest chefs respect and honor him. .

James Corbett II was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

James Corbett is survived by his mother, Felicia Corbett; his father, James Corbett Sr.; and his brothers Joshua and Jacob Corbett. 

Jamie Barnes was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Jamie Barnes was always known as a free-spirited thinker with a constant thirst for knowledge. During her childhood, she was always encouraged to suppress what she was: an unapologetic black woman. A proud black woman. An identity that, in itself, is a miracle.

Her journey in life was similar to the growth of a flower. Growing up around majority Anglo Americans, her vernacular had formed itself into that which her peers deemed as "talking like a white girl." She accepted this. At the time she didn't realize she had a choice not to. She straightened the curls on her head that naturally reached outward toward the sky. She tolerated comments targeting the melanin of her skin. She felt like she had to. 

She spent many years under this identity other assigned to her, until one day she decided to bloom. She started to embrace every part of her roots. She found not only strength and joy but also a community.  She was born once again into her reality, and experience more commonplace among privileged people.

And then just like that, she was killed for it—killed for choosing to live.

Jamie Barnes was once a soul upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Jamila Michelle Whyte, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Whyte, an intricate, benevolent woman was—to many—a convergence of grace and felicity. Her greatest love was the piano. In her moments of solitude, she enjoyed nothing more than to arrange beautiful melodies within the confines of her home. As a child, the only thing she adored more than that black and white claviature was travelling abroad. Whyte enjoyed exploring the unfamiliar territories across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans with her devoted mother. Throughout her life, they discovered some of the greatest treasures the world had to offer. Jamila wished to use her gift of music to inspire and uplift all of whom she encountered.

Jamila Whyte was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Jamila Whyte is survived by her mother, Ms. Devotion Cameron; her father, Mr. Michael Whyte II; her three brothers, Michael Whyte III, Eric Whyte, Ian Whyte; and her sister, Natasha Whyte.

We are gathered today to celebrate the life of Janae Henderson, better known as Jae - a life prematurely taken away from us at the age of 25 at the hands of local law enforcement during a routine traffic stop. 

From a very young age, Jae showed a great affinity for performance arts, oration, and diplomacy, garnering a reputation for her spoken word performances and ability to talk her way into, and occasionally out of, interesting situations. As a South Central Los Angeles native, Jae took inspiration from Gangsta Rap artists in writing about her experiences based on her surroundings and her queer identity. After composing her first rap in the 5th grade, Jae fell in love with rapping as a means of self-expression. She began laying vocals over instrumentals via old tape players and attempting to market herself in the local music scene. By the 9th grade, Jae became a well-known local MC and would spend the better part of breaks on the basketball courts with a journal of freshly written battle raps for the victim of the day. Before finishing high school, she had previously graced the stage as a dancer, an actor, an accomplished and published poet, orator, junior statesman, debater, and rapper. 

In her early adulthood, Jae became more involved in the political sphere, working on Capitol Hill for a well-known Civil Rights Leader in addition to assisting with several political campaigns. Jae proved to be a fiery proponent for civil and human rights who was dedicated to the advancement and equality of all people. She spoke out  fervently against systematic injustices she witnessed and looked for ways to positively affect change. Jae would often be heard joking that she didn't "want to go into politics," but that she would run if she became "pissed off enough by the leadership." 

Unfortunately, now, we will never know how that statement would have played out in the end. 

Known by many for her calm, pragmatic, and intrepid demeanor, close acquaintances remember Jae as a very stoic and fun-loving person who could have intensely deep conversations one moment and light-heartedly dance the night away to the latest music in the next. Today, we remember Jae's life and the impact she had on each of ours as well. 

Jae is survived by her mother, Gidget Blevins; her step-father, James Blevins; four brothers, Corey, Vincent, Anthony, and Joshua; her dad, Corey Henderson; and two sisters Jera, and Genesis.

Janae Werdlow, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Janae is best known for her “can do” attitude, her ambition, and her willingness to help others. Despite losing her mother at the age of two and having to move every time her father deployed in the army, she kept a smile on her face.

Her ambition was exemplified early on in all her business ideas and in her excitement to create. She could be found setting up lemonade stands and creating sketches for products that should be sold to help people. Multitalented, she excelled in school, oratorical competitions, and was involved in many ministries in her church, while also finding time to tutor others.

Her most outstanding talents were her creativity, ingenuity, determination and fortitude. When she made up her mind to accomplish something, she didn’t let anything stand in her way of accomplishing it, including the unknown or herself. She just found a way to make it happen.

Janae's curiosity and love for learning seemed to be sparked by her creativity, often requiring her to "think on her feet," and to teach herself new things. For example, when she decided to paint, without taking a class, she just simply mastered it. Additionally, Janae has wanted to publish a book ever since she was a child, so, she did the appropriate research and by 2014, self-published her first book, Surviving: Teenage Battle Wounds, to Amazon, and a few months later self-published Conversations With The Heart. Both are collections of poetry, and she was looking forward to publishing her first fiction novel by the end of 2016. 

After receiving her degree in Entrepreneurship from High Point University, she joined the Peace Corps. For two years, she lived in Nicaragua, helping small businesses and teaching entrepreneurship in Spanish to high schoolers. She loved traveling as much as she loved helping people, and enjoyed combining the two.

As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and active member of organizations such as World Relief, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, her love of service was clear. She planned to use it and her knowledge of business to “buy the block” and rebuild her community from the ground up. She was determined to be the trailblazer in her family and show her cousins they could do anything they wanted in the world, because she did. Her death came entirely too soon and she will be dearly missed by family and community members alike.

Janae Werdlow was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

She is survived by her father, Felton Werdlow Jr. and her loving grandparents Janice and Edward Williamson.

Jarrett Garthia Dunbar, 24, unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Dunbar, a symbol of strength, love, and creativity dedicated his life to giving back to the world that created him. He saw the world as his muse, his church, and his teacher. He found a deep love and appreciation for his culture and past, but always looked towards the future. Dunbar lived by the quote from Zora Neale Hurston to "....'jump at the sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.” At a young age, Dunbar took an affinity to flight, citing Guion Bluford, Ronald McNair, and the Tuskegee Airmen as some of his greatest influencers. He us As an unapologetically Black male growing up in White America, he grew tired of the stereotypes society had placed upon him and men like him, and looked to create something more. Dunbar took an interest in building global connections through his passion for art, technology, politics, and music. His admiration for art and technology lead him into the field of industrial design, allowing him to work for companies such as Black and Decker. As an educator, Dunbar used his platform to edify young minds on free thought and creating a better tomorrow. He fought to see the world as it should be, and not how it is.

Jarrett Dunbar was creativity and strength. He was love and passion. He was Detroit Red and Dieter Rams. Howard Huges and Huey P. Newton. He was an Evers and an Eames. He was the brainchild of Basquiat and Da Vinci. He was change in a world that wouldn't accept it. But above all, he was Black.

Jarred Dunbar was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Jarrett Sylvester Payne, 30, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Payne was an amiable, passionate man who some would say was still searching. He became keenly adept within the poetic arts and deeply immersed himself in the 20’s of the Harlem Renaissance and The Black Arts Movements of the 60’s. Thus being greatly influenced by the anthologies of Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka and Maya Angelou. His mother, Deborah, was his earliest encourager to find his voice.  A platform he used to authentic and affirm his own experiences as a Black man. And doing so served to not only fortify his oratorical abilities to speak his truth but also to prepare him for the many challenges, and visceral attacks to his Blackness he would surely face. The solace found in the wake of his passing lies greatly in the indomitable spirit of his being.

Jarrett Payne was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Jasmine B. Alicea, 29, was unarmed when she was shot and killed today in a conflict with local law enforcement.

Alicea was an intelligent, compassionate young woman with a passion for the arts and social justice. She spent much of her time writing poetry and short stories and performed regularly at local venues as well as advocating for the equity for all peoples. A firm believer in the power of education to provide opportunity for young people, Alicea worked closely with families in the community fostering healthy, supportive relationships between schools, parents and their children.

Alicea looked to her heritage for inspiration and found it in the greats- she often spoke of her love for Billie Holliday, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu as well as Ntozake Shange and Maya Angelou and often noted the immeasurable contributions of Angela Davis and Martin Luther King.

Alicea’s daughters were the pride and joy of her life. The legacy of her passion for art and community will live on through them.

“In the night of death, hope sees a star and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing” - Robert Ingsol

Alicea is survived by her daughters, Brianna and Eva, her partner, Steven and her sister, Cassandra.

Javar Van Buren, age 24 was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Van Buren was born February 21, 1992, in Ontario Ca. He enjoyed running, exploring, learning, teaching, helping others, and planning for the future. He was a son, a brother, a boyfriend, a best friend, and a friend. But most importantly he was an average person. Were he still living, he would want all to know that the only special thing about him was that he was given a chance. Born into a family that lived in a middle class area, he never had to experience losing his parents to an unfair prison system. He attended public schools with good educational systems in place and were not overzealous with police presence.

Van Buren attended Arizona State University and was lucky to join various organizations and meet people who helped develop his own character and encourage him to strive for more. After graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Biochemistry, he attended Meharry Medical college with aspirations of becoming an orthopedic surgeon or doctor in internal medicine. While he was always proud of what he was able to accomplish, he'd seen people with so much more to offer fall victim to a system that never wanted them to succeed.

Van Buren was the living example of what the average person can amount to if given the chance and wished he could have lived longer to show more. He was never fully committed to any religion and wouldn’t want to start today. He would wish for all to save any prayers for themselves--to save any anger for themselves--to save any sadness for themselves. He'd wish for all to apply their motivations toward change the system around them to one that encourages success rather than profits off of failure--to change the system to that of one where more normal average people can do something great.

Javar Van Buren was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Javar Van Buren is survived by his parents, and his sister. 

Billie-Joe "J." Bouey, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Bouey was a very charismatic and joyful energy to be around, frequently baking and cooking for friends like an Auntie. As a graduate from Arizona State University with a BFA in Dance, he dedicated his life to performing, creating, teaching, and advocating for the art of movement. Bouey had a dream to help make Dance and other art forms free for communities near or beneath the poverty line. In his childhood, Bouey was often praised for having an "old soul", preferring to have in depth conversations about current events and playing a lengthy game of chess in his free time. This interest in discussing world issues and civil rights issues found its way in his art making, choosing to create art that directly addressed issues of our current time, specifically the issues that effect Black Americans.

J. Bouey recently started a personal journey to understand his role as a Black Man in America and what that means.

J. Bouey is survived by his mother, Marcia Williams; his father, Bryan Bouey; his younger twin brothers, Majee Bouey and Najee Bouey; and his over 200 students.

Jay Tatum, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed by police officers.

Tatum, an outspoken individual, can be remembered for her combination of passion, wit and charm. She displayed deep passion for social justice; using her words as a platform to connect with many and share her message. She gained much of her inspiration from hip hop legends and adopted their rhythm and story-telling tactics into her own spoken word style. Honing her skills at different speaking engagements, she felt it was her responsibility to enlighten, uplift and inspire everyone to push for social justice. Unashamed and unafraid was she.

Jay Tatum was once a soul upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Jay Tatum is survived by her mother, Dr. Leona Tatum, her father, Reverend Richard Tatum, and her sister, Ashley Tatum.

Jessica Michelle Hall, 29, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Jessica was born November 26th, 1986, in Norfolk, VA, to Robin Jones and Theodore M. Hall.  Jessica, an unconventional, living, oxymoronic woman, was known for her smile, confidence, and unwavering ability to bring laughter wherever she went.  She was an aspiring wine connoisseur who had hopes of finishing her Master’s program in Public Health and teaching English abroad.  A true renaissance being, when she wasn’t excelling in her career in the Anesthesiology Department at Duke University Hospital, you could find her playing with her band, completing 5k mud races, or loving up on her nephew, Jeremiah.

Adored by all who met her, she:

-lived life without a rewind wish,

-partied without a cause,

-loved without a reason,

-danced without a soul around, if it moved her,

-lead, without following blindly.

 Jessica Michelle Hall was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

 Jessica is survived by her parents Robin Jones and Theodore M. Hall, sisters Audriana Melissa Hall and Dominique Bellamy, brother Theodore Hall Jr., nephew Jeremiah Hall-Dudley, grandmother Marie Jones, uncles Robert Jones and Mario Rivas, aunties Shana Rivas, Dorothy Ashburn (Charley Ashburn), Irene Matthews (Theodore Matthews), Lorraine Bynum (Larry Bynum), Celester Robinson (Andrew Robinson, Sr.), countless cousins, friends, and loved ones.

Jessyka Cannon, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Jessyka was a young woman who dared to dream that she could help change the lives of people in need by becoming an attorney. She believed that by upholding the laws and appropriate practices within this country, she could help make the ultimate change to better impact the lives of citizens. Her broken heart due to the systematic oppression found within the US--and her distraught feelings at the suffering of those impacted--caused her to rise in protest and oftentimes become radical.

She believed firmly in fairness and equal treatment under the law and felt that everyone should be held accountable for their actions. A weapon for truth, a shrine for justice, and an advocate for the voiceless is what Jessyka Cannon dreamt of being. Unfortunately her dreams were met with too quick of an end before she could accomplish them all.

She was a friend, a sister, a daughter, and a wife who encouraged everyone to love fearlessly and fight endlessly in what they believed in, as she did. Those who knew her would describe her as yellow; bright, warm, forgiving, motivational, desirable, strong, inspirational, and simply uplifting. She was like a Sunday morning after a word from God, full of life and always ready to make someone's day with her smile.

Jessyka and her longing desires of equality, justice, love, and peace are survived through her husband, family, friends, and those who would say she impacted their lives in incredible ways.

Jessyka Cannon was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

John Al’ Quan Brimley, 33, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

There were many things he wanted but to which he never committed. He wasn’t afraid of the success. He was afraid of the failure. Failure to be great. Failure to be loved. Failure to be respected. It was the burden of being loved that led to his demise. 

He was a rebel at heart, but a coward in actions. John always had a way with words. He never spoke out of anger. His emotions never fueled his decision making. Every word he spoke was planned. Every sentence he wrote edited.

He spoke at length with friends about all of his dreams and goals. His willingness to speak out against injustice is something he wore like a badge of honor, but those conversations never made it to any meaningful action. They would happen in the comfort of his own home. He recognized the tremendous pressure of being chosen by God to be a leader of men. He relished at this opportunity, but at the risk of not alienating or making anyone feel uncomfortable he never shared the true gift that God blessed him with.

He was conflicted. The unfair and unequal treatment of his people was apparent to him, but he also believed in his heart that many of his white friends, co-workers, employer and associates wouldn’t quite understand his plight. In order to maintain his status as someone they all loved, he often times remained silent. The silence was deafening to him. The silence burdened his heart. The silence lingered in his spirit. The silence paralyzed him.

He often believed that his true gift was to unite all people, but in that there would be some hurt. Some pain. Some joy. Some laughter, but ultimately there would be unity.

This gift made him a great friend. A great husband. A great father. A great Christian.

It also made him dim his light. 

John Brimley was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Jordan Kamal Neville Campbell, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Jordan was a very caring man who reached out as a mentor to almost everyone he came in contact with. He was a servant leader. Campbell was very outspoken as a child and participated in many leadership programs that aimed at promoting Black excellence. (Black science engineer camps, internships, High school to college initiatives). Black literature was exposed to him at a young age by his mother who was passionate about having a Black identity. He was raised around local Black leaders in the Phoenix community whom he was able to call mentors which drove his passion to become a mentor to over 300 black college level students. Campbell did not look at his mentees as students but more so as younger brother and sisters that he wanted to see succeed in every aspect of life. He was a selfless man who gave back to his community out of love.

Jordan Campbell was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Jordan Campbell his survived by his mother, Dr. Pamela Campbell; his father Neville Campbell; his sisters Qiana Jones, Aisha Smith; and his brother Jerel Campbell.

Jordan Lee Wilson, 25, of Phoenix, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.  

Jordan Wilson was born November 14th, 1990, in Phoenix, Arizona; the son of Freddie and Tacha (Fitzpatrick) Wilson III. He graduated from Tempe High School in 2009 where he was the student body president, member or the National Honor Society, Black Student Union, Superintendent Advisory Council and was the captain of the football and baseball teams.

He most recently graduated from Arizona State University majoring in business and communication. He was a member of the leadership scholarship program and he dedicated his weekends to a youth leadership program at his local church. Jordan was a commendable young gentleman who believed in equality for all. Derived from a uniquely diverse background, he was an advocate for equal rights and opportunities.

Wilson was a family man and a man of his faith.

Jordan has always contributed to society. Standing up for the less fortunate and empowering the discouraged. He has now been plucked from that very society by the world he had faith in.

Jordan Wilson was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Jordan is survived by his parents Freddie and Tacha and his sisters, Jade and Jasmine. He also leaves his maternal grandparents, Ronald Fitzpatrick and Victoria Blanchard; and his paternal grandparents, Freddie and Josephine of Odessa.

He is also survived by his wife, Monica Wilson, and their unborn child and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jordyn Michelle Colemon, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Jordyn was joyous, creative, and always wore a smile. Growing up, she lived in the inner city of Los Angeles, California, but then moved to the suburbs of a predominately white neighborhood. Some may recognize Jordyn as a familiar face on the show "That's So Raven" or the movie "Dodgeball". Her acute fame warmed the hearts of families watching from home, but for Jordyn, the recognition brought her hate, jealousy and racism, from most of her white classmates in her adolescent years----which eventually became one of the reasons she ended her acting career short. As a young adult, she devoted her time to student advocacy, and was very passionate about supporting underserved youth in the Portland Public School District in Oregon. Her journey ahead was to pursue the entertainment industry again, but this time, for producing and directing. She loved Christ and would tell her loved ones, The Lord makes no mistakes, but like her favorite artist Michael Jackson says, "Gone too Soon..."

Jordyn Colemon was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Joshua Omari Goode, 24, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Joshua was deeply rooted in family and love, and cared so much for others that he almost always forgot to care for himself. He worked day in and day out to find total break through and elevation due to experiencing years of internal oppression and guilt.

Joshua was a huge fan of bedtime stories as a kid. That was until he grew tired of hearing the same stories told to him over and over. Joshua’s father had no choice but to up the ante and challenge him to create his own stories. The two would close their eyes, imagine existing in a different world, and go back and forth adding details until it would have to end abruptly so that Joshua could go to sleep. His mother and father made it their duty to instill a sense of pride in who he is, by encouraging his creativity and imagination, explaining the value and meaning of his name, and ensuring that he would be deeply rooted within the history of his ancestors that the public education system would not provide for him.  This sense of self, encouraged Joshua to create change within his community and to dig deep into the confines of his childhood storytelling days, to be the author of his own story on this Earth as a black man, so that his son would not have to hear the same stories…. over and over.

Joshua Goode was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Joshua Goode is survived by his mother, Natalie Goode; his father, Randolph Goode; his brother, Jalen Goode; his sister, Ayanna Goode; his wife, Adelaide Goode; and his son, Omari Goode.

Kaari Makeda Aubrey, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

A high-school English teacher, Kaari devoted herself to telling the stories of the African diaspora, and reclaiming Black identity. As a child, Kaari experienced Blackness in a multitude of ways, as an American in Ghana and as an African in the US. She developed a love for literature and folklore very young, hungry for the Anansi stories of West Africa and Virginia Hamilton's The People Could Fly. Navigating her deep love and advocacy for identity was beautiful, but difficult for her in adolescence, as she grappled with her own intersectionality in the country that until her final day refused to see her. Her summers were spent researching the Transatlantic Slave Trade across the globe with her mother, and advising social justice programs for youth in Arizona. Kaari was a lover of melanin, food, beaches, and Beyoncé, and was expected to receive her Masters Degree from Columbia University's Teachers College in May of 2017.

She is survived by her mother, Dr. Lisa Aubrey.

Ka’mal Carson Jones, 18, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Jones, an African American scholar who attended Arizona state,  was—to many—an individual who exuded confidence while promoting happiness and peace within his community. He continuously welcomed others with open arms and a bright smile. In his younger years, Ka’mal could be seen either attending private school, playing with his cousins, or perfecting his musical craft as he had a burning passion for the piano. Jones’ love for music sharpened throughout his teenage years, leading him to start a number of projects which the public will now never see.

Jones' involvement and leadership within the black community  not only drove him to succeed, but inspired him to work even harder to do great things. Jones grew up knowing of the injustices his fellow brothers and sisters face on a daily basis. When young, Jones was unaware of what power and beauty was bestowed upon him through his blackness. Upon this realization, he was driven to encourage, assist, and lift every voice into unapologetic Blackness.

Ka’mal Jones was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Ka’mal Carson Jones is survived by his mother, Dr. Kim Jones; his father, Dr. Noland Jones; and his brother, Ja’han Jones. 

Karen Chioma Okonkwo, 28, was unarmed when shot and killed by local police officers.

Okonkwo, a vibrant, intelligent, humorous woman--to many--was a leader, teacher and role model. She embodied a deep love for uplifting her community, specifically young women of all races. In her adolescence, she took on several leadership roles through her school and community outreach programs such as Student Council, National Honors Society and Best Buddies. In 2006, she went on to achieve the Leadership Scholarship Program through Arizona State University where she continued to excel in leadership roles through her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, landing her a job as an Account Sales Manager in Seattle for a biomedical diagnostics company in 2010. Okonkwo would go on to build several other esteemed businesses in the Seattle, WA, area and programs to unite and uplift women such as "Young, Black and Beautiful" in Seattle, "Building Bridges Brunch," and "Seattle Women of Africa Luncheon." Karen Okonkwo was a woman of faith and has met God in His golden kingdom.

Karen Okonkwo was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Karen Okonkwo is survived by her mother, Anthonia Okonkwo; her father, Eugene Okonkwo; her brothers, Michael Okonkwo and Andrew Okonkwo; and her sisters, Ursulline Okonkwo and Andrea Okonkwo.

Keenan Devin Baumann, 18, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Baumann, a somewhat sad, curious, and logical man--to those who knew him--was pessimistic around the time the local conflict occurred. He was a child who showed big interest in the things we find unanswerable, such as the way our minds work, and the reason certain people did certain things. While energetic and always outside, he found a wide interest in the “daring” things in life. Risks may have been the only thing he knew how to take, but for others, it was his life. The curiosity of how the world exists allowed Keenan to feel free in the mind at all times. Wondering how we are able to move, how we think, and how we actually came to be kept him occupied at all times. Keenan’s ability to understand sports (particularly action) at a more complex level allowed him to expand his liking for the sports, and develop a more emotional feeling to it. From playing Tony Hawk games as a kid, to eventually making attempts to do those stunts in real life, Keenan began to realize at a young age, anything was possible.

Keenan Baumann was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Keenan Baumann is survived by his mother, Bree Crusoe; and his father, Anthony Baumann.

Kiah Mayo, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

She was a very quiet young lady, who was raised to listen and understand others’ views before speaking her own. She had a love for other people’s cultures, past and current, and an extreme thirst for knowledge. As a child she was rarely seen without some type of reading material (usually a science book), or her Disney’s Lion King VHS.

As an amateur scientist, she showed a love for animals which garnered her appreciation for life. As she grew older, she had multiple run ins with orthopedic specialists which aimed her focus on medical school.

After graduation from high school, she moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University where she attended a summer program called Sankofa. After this experience, she decided to explore further in the history of her ancestors and the justice system, double minoring in Justice Studies and African and African American Studies. She was by no means naïve to the plight and struggles of the African American community.  However, she hadn’t yet come to fully understand herself, and she felt learning more about the past could help her understand her present and future.

Her experiences and scholarly activity, strengthened her convictions and led Kiah to shift her focus on not only being a doctor, but being a community servant. Kiah decided to get her Master’s in Public health, and planned to apply for medical school. She aspired to become a surgeon who not only impacted the health of her patients, but also impact the health of the community to which she belonged.

Kiah Mayo was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

She is survived by her mother and father, 2 brothers, and an assembly of family and friends.

Kimani Monet Williams, 24 was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Williams was sophisticated in nature, loving with a gregarious personality and an infectious smile. She was truly committed and focused to discovering opportunities and all that life had to offer. Kimani was a native of Chandler, Arizona and attended Desert Vista High School where she graduated with honors and received a full ride scholarship to Arizona State University. Upon graduating from Arizona State University, her adventurous soul took her to the windy city of Chicago, Illinois where she settled in the beautiful neighborhood of Gold Coast. Living true to her values of the importance of education; during her time in Chicago she pursued her Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. She also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. continuing a legacy of two generations before her. Instilled within her were the importance of strong family values and meaningful friendships and it was always extremely important to Kimani to foster those close relationships with her family and friends. Although her flourishing young life was taken too soon; she left a lasting legacy by the way she embraced the gift of life through exploration and by cherishing each moment and the valuable time with those around her.  

Kimani Williams was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Kimani Williams is survived by her mother, Ms. Chanda McDonald; father Mr. Michael Williams; brother Kai McDonald; her grandparents Dr. & Mrs. McDonald; her aunt Elise McDonald and cousins Giavanna and Luca DiSandro. 

Kyle Lontae Denman, 30, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Denman, a defiant personality, was to many a fighter to the core, who challenged those around him to live and love unapologetically. He demonstrated a love for music, like tidal waves crashing into sandy shores. In his adolescence, Denman found his identity through the brittle stained pages of books and complicated melodies that attributed to his sensitivity for those around him. Denman often imagined a world where love had no limits, dreams were God’s gifts of journeys to come, and the feeling of being uncomfortable simply meant he was making a change. His love for his family and friends transcended through his complexity. Denman was an icon although due to his untimely death, he was unable to encounter the big stage. Kyle Denman was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. Kyle Denman is survived by his mother, Kathy Ann Denman; his father, Billy Harper; and a host of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Kyley Jameison, 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Jameison was thought of as a beautiful soul who grew up to become her unapologetic self. From writing and videography to simple yarn crafts, her creative outlets brought her an immense amount of joy. She also had a true love for her Arizona State Sun Devils and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was never afraid to speak her mind on how she felt as a fan. When ever she had the opportunity to, she enjoyed being surrounded by close friends and delicious food.

Jameison did not have the opportunity to fulfill some of her dreams. She had a genuine desire to serve her community and was looking forward to being the radical change that she wanted to see in the state of Arizona.

Kyley Jameison was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Jameison is survived her mother, Melina Jameison; her father, Kenric Jameison; and her siblings, Kolby Jameison, Kennedy Jameison, and Kenric Jameison II. 

Lamar Davis Piggee, 22, was unarmed was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police.

Piggee was a Tempe resident and Arizona State University senior, who leveraged his voice, platform and talents to be an instrument of social change. He would frequently envision a "perfect" world and attempt to discover why things exist as they do to solve problems--especially as they pertain to black people. Funny, kind-hearted, easy-going and an extroverted introvert Piggee was a person people gravitated toward. While having a deep love for music/songwriting he prided himself with having a diverse catalog from listening to hip-hop, the blues, punk rock, and country music. Some of his most cherished moments would be in his living room with his roommates having discussions about society, politics, religion, history, dieting, rap music and business ventures. He loved his family, close friends, those that mentored/helped him and his Spring 2014 LB's and sands.

Lamar Piggee was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Piggee was born to father Larry Piggee and mother Gwendolyn Coleman and his survival will remain with his siblings, close friends and his brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Louis Tyler Newbern Jr., 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Newbern, a kind and joyful man, never had a negative thought and always kept a smile on his face. He worked two jobs, was a full-time student, and wrote music with a close group of friends he also considered family. Newbern was a family man, he was extremely close with his mother, who dealt with various health issues. His father was a hard-working man who literally took no days off to provide for his family. His brothers were active in sports and Louis would attend each of their events to show support.

Louis would want to be remembered as the big, gentle man who would go out of his way to help anyone in need; he would not stop until he saw a smile on every face.

Louis Newbern is survived by his mother, Lela Newbern; His father, Louis Newbern Sr.; his brother Devon Newbern, Joshua Newbern, Kristian Newbern, and Eric Magitt; and his sisters Tuwana Newbern, Lawana Newbern, and Bre’sha Newber

Mahogney Hope Turner was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Mahogney Hope Turner dedicated her life to living her truth by authentically expressing her world through spoken word poetry. As a performance poet her mission was to "make people feel" reminding them of their humanness. A loner at heart, from an early age she submerged herself in reading and writing. Her poetry was often compared to that of Maya Angelou, her idol. She loved working with youth. Having lead numerous poetry and writing workshops, the healing power of words is what inspired her to teach and write. Her vibrant smile sprinkled sunshine on every person she encountered. Compassion and open mindedness were among her greatest attributes. She loved taking the time to understand people and see life from their lies. Not afraid to explore life, often making sense of it on her own, she moved through life by "following her spirit". Which inspired so many people who witnessed her life journey to do the same. Although she moved around, home was always in Phoenix, Arizona with all of her family and best of friends. A true spiritual seeker, Mahogney Hope Turner was a beacon of light, love, and hope to many

Mahogney Hope Turner was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Mahogney is survived by a host of friends and family.

Makeda Yohannes, 26, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Yohannes, was a caring and deep individual whose pursuit in life was the uplift and compassion for the underprivileged. She always demonstrated a deep thrist for knowledge and understanding of the world, both current and before her. She was raised around men who taught her the power of her mind and tongue. She was also raised around women who taught her the power in her femininity, confidence in her womeness and attributes of a strong Queen. These teachings all combined guided Makeda to travel the world, to teach students in impoverished communities, to pick up a new recommended book whenever possible and ultimately her early career in journalism.

Makeda Yohannes was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Makeda Yohannes is survived by her mother, Emebet Bogale; her father, Asmalash Yohannes; her brother Yohannes Yohannes; and her sister Belen Yohannes.

Malcolm Alexander Brinkley, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Brinkley, a passionate and solution-seeking creative, sought spreading love and awareness as the answer to life’s problems. He believed in self-expression fueled through creativity and storytelling; he encouraged those around him to tell their stories and stay true to their narrative. His passion for culture and diversity across the globe served as a catalyst for his many entrepreneurial endeavors. As a storyteller, Brinkley saw music as the key ingredient in communicating his message to the world. His love for music and arts brought opportunities into areas in the world where there were none previously; encouraging the youth and greater community to push through adversity.

Malcolm Brinkley was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Marcel Alexandre Louis-Jacques, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Though his dedication to his craft regularly made him scarce, Louis-Jacques served as a boisterous standard of ambition to family friends and members who needed the example. As a child, he harbored more anger than he often cared to admit, but found an outlet through sports. Any average evening, he could be found at a neighbor’s basketball hoop, re-enacting games he saw on television. He openly felt like a token amongst his peers, but grew into an outspoken young adult who refused to let his surroundings dictate his sentiment. In the early stages of his career, Louis-Jacques became a prominent Black figure in a town that desperately needed one, and used his visibility to show Lake Havasu’s Black youth they weren’t pigeonholed into America’s assumptions of them.

Marcel Louis-Jacques was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Marcel Louis-Jacques is survived by his mother, Dr. Monique Burnette Ross; his father, Dr. Mac Antoine Louis-Jacques; his stepfather, Cornelius Ross; his brother, Aaron Hanible; and his sister, Alyssa Ross, and Naisha Louis-Jacques.

Mark Anthony Easterling II, 28, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Easterling II transitioned to walk with God and his ancestors at that moment. A proud graduate of Arizona State University, and a brother of the noble clan of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, he was a lover of music, politics, and history; but above everything, he was a man that put God and family first. He had goals of teaching the future generations of his family and the community the true history of African people and the economic principles to push. He is remembered for saying, “The knowledge that I have gained and that I will share with them has the power to change the dynamic of our families and the community.”  Mark was proud of many things in his short time with us, but nothing meant more to him than his daughter Milani.  She was often referred to as his greatest gift, and best friend. He loved being father more than anything in life.

Mark Anthony Easterling II was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer. 

Mark is survived by his daughter, Milani; parents Mark and Roxanne Easterling; and his sister Deneé Preston. 

Marva Shatrell Lanier, 26, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Marva was a graduate of Ogeechee Technical College and Georgia Southern University. She had a passion for helping others and took pride in her career as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. She was currently studying to become a Registered Vascular Tech. Marva had dreams of obtaining a Master's in Human Services from Mercer University and starting a nonprofit for her local community of Metter, Ga. 

Marva's passion in life was about helping others. She strived to do her best and to help others realize their own potential. Marva's self motivation and humbleness helped her complete her mission and people were drawn to her and inspired by the warmth and compassion that she exhibited in her daily life. 

Marva Lanier was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Marva is survived by her grandmother, Arethia Dekle; Mother, Cheryl Lanier; her father, Marvel Lanier; her brother, Daniel Mainer Jr and wife Kym; her niece, Raegan; her nephew, Daniel; her best friend, Chelsea and Godson Joshua; several Aunts and Uncles; countless cousins, friends, and loved ones. 

Mona Sharmaine Dixon, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Mona Dixon was born December 3rd, 1992, in Tucson Arizona. Up until 13, she and her family were in a constant state of change, living on the streets on cardboard boxes and moving from one homeless shelter to another in city after city. Because of this Mona, knew that college was not an option for her. She believed in turning setbacks in life into motivators to succeed and used her story to inspire others.

In May 2010, Dixon graduated third in her class at Tempe High School. In 2014 she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Management, from Arizona State University’ s Barrett Honors College and W.P. Carey School of Business. She recently completed her graduate degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in advocacy. Three weeks ago, she started working on her doctoral degree in organizational leadership.

Outside of school, she was named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) 64th National Youth of the Year, where she represented over 4 million youth all over the world as a teen spokesperson. During her year and beyond she has met with President Obama in the Oval Office, has been a part of events with Denzel Washington, and has been recognized by LeBron James. On July 14, 2015, Mona was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Board of the Directors for the Corporation for National and Community Service.   

Mona’s main goals in life were to just be happy, help people, and make a difference in the world. She had a HUGE heart and it was hard for her to say no to anyone or turn away from others in need. She would always say, “If we all just learned to love each other, as God loved us, we would all be in a better place! Be forgiving, be caring, be accepting of others, and strive for understanding.”

Today, this world has lost an angel, a leader, and an inspiration.

Mona Dixon was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Mona is survived by her parents Wakonda Dixon and Frank Sanchez, her brother Joseph Dixon, her sister Victoria Darthard, her boyfriend Johnathan Jones, and all of the many lives she has touched in her short journey through life. 

Monique Green-Bell, 33, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

She was a mother of three little boys and a wonderful wife, daughter, and sister. Born in NY, raised in NC, Monique(affectionately called "Moe") loved the country and city life all in one and found herself in Greensboro, NC.

She was funny, hard working, big-hearted, and no-nonsense. Though her circle was small, it was always filled with love! Having compassion for children was important. She had always wanted to start a mentor program for the local youth in her city. To her, family--and friends she considered family--were always important and it showed in everything she did. She loved making and cooking things for them whenever she could. She could cook or make just about anything. Her special gift was learning how to do things just by watching. Some called her "Ms. DIY".

She was unapologetically black and loved showing her black pride! Knowing that the color of her skin made her and her family targets made her view the daily world as a boxing ring. She also fought against the unjust treatment of black men, women, and children who are targeted daily. She took pride in teaching her sons the history they won't learn in school about African Americans, our culture, andthe true struggle we indore in this world over the years. She also taught them what to do in an exchange with law enforcement. She loved life all the way to the end.

Monique Green-Bell was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

She leaves behind her mother, Susan, her father, Sylvester, two brothers, "June" preceding her in death, Victor, and sister Andrea. Also, her husband Aundra and three sons: Mondré, André, and Andrew; one niece, four nephews, and a host of other relatives.

Morgan Camille Sumner, 22, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Morgan Camille Sumner walked this earth with a constant smile upon her face. Many will remember Morgan as the loving and goofy young woman she was. She had dreams of changing this world through architecture, a different kind of art form where she would be able to express herself through structure. She knew that one day, she would be a proud woman of color breaking barriers in her field. For years, she did all that she could to avoid all things government and politics. It was not until she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and began her studies towards her minor in African, African American studies, that would she find that this form of thinking was naïve. It is deeply saddening that, as she began to wake up about the injustices that plague her community that, her life would be silenced. She was lost to the very police violence she was fighting to protect others from.

She will not be forgotten. Her name is said in remembrance just as those of Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and many others. She cherished one bible verse in particular: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14). On this day we remember a bright light that once graced this planet.

Morgan Sumner was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Morgan Sumner leaves behind her mother; Dr. Carol A. Sumner, father; Samuel Keith Sumner, brothers; Samuel Alexander and Brandon Sumner, and long term boyfriend, Brandon Hayes.

Nakeya Sharise Tucker, 34, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

Often considered the peacemaker and sounding board in her personal and professional life, Tucker was a young woman in the midst of finding what she called “her life’s true purpose”. A very earnest and observant child, Nakeya relocated between New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina during her elementary school years. Her consistent escapes and long term comforts remained books, music and education. Always excelling, she earned a scholarship to Virginia State University where she received her bachelors in Biology Pre Medicine and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Tucker lived in Manhattan for a few years before making Charlotte her home in 2005. Uninspired and unfulfilled in the corporate world, Nakeya quit her job of 7 years in 2014 and decided to go to cosmetology school. No longer relinquishing to the pressures of conformity and obsessively delving into Black history, Nakeya began feeling the stirrings of revolutionary ardor, community impact and often spoke of owning her own “bookstore” as a safe evolutionary space for inner city kids.  

 Nakeya Tucker was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

Neal André Lester, 56, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.  

Lester--a deeply contemplative person, was continually working to make sense of the seemingly senseless in human behavior; often frustrating many around him who wanted simple answers to complicated questions. Whereas some nineteenth century Romanticist stressed "Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!" Lester basked in the excitement of being able to "Complicate! Complicate! Complicate!"

Modeling and encouraging a spirit of service leadership, Lester's small AME church in Jefferson, GA was the strong foundation for his service- leadership accomplishments. His teachers, church elders, and family were for him pillars of support and encouragement.

Lester's pioneering leadership often brought a loneliness and an expectation from others to speak as one for all. Still, he had no regrets, and such joy prevailed when he could facilitate and learn from a rigorous exchange of ideas about literature, life, and living.

If there is a legacy Neal Lester has left behind, it is the awareness that the world is a textbook forever being written and revised by each and every living human on the planet.  He was absolutely convinced that each of us has something to teach in the same way that each of us has something to learn.

Neal Lester was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.

Neal Lester is survived by his spouse, two adult children, and his ninety-four-year old grandmother who raised him.

NiAmbi` Dalia Agent, 23, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers.

NiAmbi` was complex and a mixture of all things: modest but outgoing, quiet but outspoken, a mystery that she, herself, hadn’t quite figured out yet. She grew up in a home that broadly embraced art, education, culture and community. Her mother read her everything from Tar Beach to The Isis Papers. Her father played music and she followed his every move on the keys. Later on in her life, she applied these things to her daily thoughts and actions. Her love of music and writing was often fused in any way, shape or form. There was no way she could live without the two, and somehow they have to live without her. NiAmbi` Dalia, a voice that was melodious and a spirit that was gentle.

NiAmbi Agent was once a woman upon this Earth, yet she is no longer.

NiAmbi` Agent is survived by her mother, Dawn Agent and her father David Agent.

Nneka Onuorah, 27, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Onuorah , was a voice for the voiceless, a woman ordained by God to help unify communities who most would believe to have had nothing in common. While here on earth she demonstrated great leadership by perfectly balancing her poise and grace, with her assertive confidence to help inspire other women to be ok with themselves just as they were. As a child raised in the church with her grandmother she was taught faith and how to help others. As a child also raised by her mother she was taught how to persevere and keep it moving. As a child raised by her Nigerian father she was taught confidence and pride. Nneka from the ages of 6 was always busy. She went from being an active usher, praise dancer, choir member, soccer player, Girl Scout as a young kid. To peer educator, NYC summer youth leader, dance assistant at Broadway dance center in her teenage years. To intern , television producer, and film director in her later years. Whenever someone couldn't speak up for themselves  Nneka was the first to answer no matter if it was a friend or a stranger.

Nneka Onuorah was once a woman this Earth, yet she is no longer. 

Nneka is survived by her mother Kim Onuorah, her father George Onuorah. Her sister Nakia Onuorah , and her brother Demezme Carrington.

Paula Ngon, 21, was unarmed when she was shot and killed by police officers after a traffic stop. 

Paula was an ambitious student ready to graduate from a university with two degrees. Paula was excited to finally begin her professional career after a lifetime of working hard in school. Her friends and loved ones described her as outgoing, hardworking and destined for success. She loved to use her voice to help those who felt discouraged in order to show them that any dream is possible.

Paula was passionate about using her journalism degree as an outlet to empower African American women and her political science degree as a way to advocate for change in minority communities. 

Paula is survived by her parents, Martin and Suzanne, and her two little sisters Ericka and Marvel. 

Rashaad T. Thomas, 36, was unarmed when shot and killed in conflict with local police officers. 

Thomas, a scholar and a compassionate Dapper Dandy loved his family and dressed his demons in random acts of kindness and Bowties. If, the police hadn’t killed him his demons would have hung him through his eyes with his own Bowtie.  Born a dependent of military privilege, raised as a Sambo in Jim Crow North Dakota, and left alone to peel the burnt cork mask from his face while drinking 40s of OE.  Thomas was preceded in death by his father and his own soul that was sold to Uncle Sam in his twenties.  He roamed the earth with no home and no sleep, but was reborn in his thirties.  He married his wife, Maria N., December 22, 2014 in Phoenix, AZ and she survives.   Also surviving is his daughter, Jade.  Thomas dedicated his life to leading the Black Arts through Black Consciousness’ for Black Liberation with Black, Brown, and Indigenous Solidarity.  As a poet, educator, mentor, and community member he enjoyed life eating fried chicken, watermelon, and listening to everything Hip-Hop on porches on the Southside. 

Rashaad Thomas was once a man upon this Earth, yet he is no longer.