This picture will forever haunt me

This picture will forever haunt me.

It marks the day I began a journey to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.

Five years have passed. He would be 19 now and graduating from high school, stepping into adulthood. I still wonder about his mother, his family, and how they are holding up. I remember reaching out to her in those early days. She was in shock. She had so many people calling, messaging, praying over her and I was probably just one voice among a gazillion. None of us could bring him back.

I also wonder how we, as a community, can find the strength to change the conditions that give rise to violence in the first place. There are so many activists, organizers, nonprofits, and everyday people who care deeply and want to help and yet, here we are.

One person alone can’t solve it. If it worked that way, violence would have disappeared long ago. But I want to be that one person bold enough, clear enough, and determined enough to push for answers to figure out how our schools, our neighborhoods, and every stakeholder can work together to stop the cycle.

When I look at this picture, it still fuels me. It gives me the courage to keep going and keep pursuing peace.

As a candidate for the District 2 School Board, I am committed to doing everything I personally can. And if I am elected, I will have the power to do even more.

Will you help me?