Honoring the Life of Sulaimane Alhaji Bangura

3x All-American Champion | Emmanuel University Graduate | NCCU Law Student | Legal Intern at the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts

We are heartbroken to share the devastating loss of our beloved Sulaimane Alhaji Bangura—known to many as Sulay or Sully. He was more than a brother, a mentor, and a best friend.

Sulay was a shining light in our family and in every community he touched. A fierce athlete and a 3x All-American champion, he carried his strength beyond the track field and wrestling mat and into the classroom, the courtroom, and every room he entered. He was just one semester away from completing his graduate studies and becoming a lawyer—a dream he chased with unshakable determination and grace.

As a legal intern at the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, Sulay stood as a passionate advocate for justice. But it wasn’t just his achievements that defined him—it was his heart. He was kind, generous, humble, and endlessly compassionate. He poured love into everyone he met and lived with purpose and pride.

Now, in the midst of unimaginable grief, we are asking for your support to help us honor his legacy in the way he deserves. Our wish is to lay him to rest in his home country of Sierra Leone—a place he held close to his heart. The cost of international transport and funeral arrangements are significant, and we cannot do it alone.

Please consider donating whatever you can to help us bring Sulay home. Your support means more than words can say. Every contribution, no matter the amount, is a step toward giving him the farewell he deserves.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Rest in Power, Sulay. You will forever be missed, but never forgotten.