11/23/2025
11 years ago, a 12-year-old child full of life, joy, and boundless possibility was taken from his family and community.
He was twelve.
Tamir should be here today — riding his bike, drawing Sonic characters, playing video games, laughing with his friends, growing into the young man he deserved to become. Born June 25, 2002, he was already shooting three-pointers, swimming without lessons, and dreaming bigger than the world allowed him to.
His mother, Samaria Rice, has carried a grief she’s hardly had the space to face.
“I haven’t had a chance to mourn him because Cleveland has not allowed me to do it,” she said. Yet through unimaginable pain, she continues to build something powerful in his name — not just memory, but a future for other children.
In honor of Tamir’s 23rd birthday, she launched a campaign to open the Tamir Rice Afrocentric Cultural Center — a space where Black children can learn who they are, where they come from, and how deeply they matter. When Kyrie Irving donated $50,000 to the vision, she said, “He sees the vision, and he believes in what I’m doing.”
At the Cudell Recreation Center, where Tamir once played, a memorial stands with a message from a mother to her son — and to this country:
“Tamir, you were a unique sacrifice… I will never forget the devastation caused by this country built on denying truth and fostering hatred.”
Today, we honor Tamir not only in mourning, but in purpose. We send love to his family, strength to his community, and commitment to every child who deserves to grow up safe, free, and fully seen.
Tamir Rice should be alive.
And because he is not, we fight so no other mother must carry this pain alone.
Rest in Power, Tamir.
