In Loving Memory of Shakira Clark

My name is Jasmine Swift, and Shakira Clark is my first maternal cousin, 12 years younger than me. I remember babysitting her when we were kids, and I loved taking care of her. She was always so beautiful and innocent, and we loved her dearly growing up. Our family is extremely close — we enjoyed Sunday dinners, every holiday, and celebrated every opportunity together: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations — anything to celebrate life. We were not just family; we were best friends. Now, we don’t get to share those moments, and we don’t get to have her essence with us.

Shakira, only 23 years old, was tragically taken by domestic violence — in the last week of the very same month meant to raise awareness about it. She was a loving and devoted mother to two beautiful children, just 3 and 1 years old. Shakira was hardworking, caring, and full of promise — a CNA and a college student working toward her bachelor’s degree in accounting. She was also incredibly creative: she designed children’s clothing, sewed outfits modeled after her babies, did hair, and had a true gift for styling clothes. She was intelligent, artistic, and full of life — a gifted dancer, a lover, and never a fighter.

Her two children have now faced a tragedy no child should ever endure: they witnessed their father take their mother’s life and are now coping with the trauma of that experience.

This GoFundMe has been created to help cover Shakira’s funeral expenses, as she did not have life insurance. The funds will first repay her maternal aunt, Attorney Sanita Swift, who fronted the funeral costs. Any remaining funds will go directly toward Shakira’s children — supporting their immediate needs, like food, clothing, hygiene, and medical care, and into a custodial account for their long-term future.

Even if you cannot donate, please keep Shakira’s family — especially her babies — in your prayers. Your love, prayers, and support mean more than words can express as we grieve this devastating loss and work to raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence