Our family is heartbroken after the recent loss of my brother, Matthew Solomon, who passed away on April 13th from complications of a heart condition. Matthew was a truly kind-hearted soul—a loved brother who was always the light in a dark room. He lived his life with joy, constantly turning even the hardest moments into something positive, and he had a remarkable gift for bringing out the best in everyone around him.

Matthew was deeply committed to his community. He was one of the founders of Urbana’s East African Community Club and worked tirelessly to help it grow. As a mentor for the East African Student Association (EASA), he helped kids pave their own path and inspired many young people to believe in themselves. Matthew was a third-year computer science student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he excelled academically and completed 6 internships in finance, technology, and data. He was on track to graduate and had a bright future ahead of him.

This has been an incredibly difficult time for all of us. We want to honor Matthew’s memory and say goodbye in a way that reflects the love and light he brought into our lives.

As we navigate this loss, we are faced with unexpected expenses for funeral arrangements and memorial services. These costs have added to the emotional burden, and we are reaching out to our friends, family, and community for support. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help my mom give Matthew the farewell he deserves and allow us to focus on healing together.

We are deeply grateful for any support you can offer, whether it’s through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser with others. Your kindness and compassion mean the world to us during this time of grief. Thank you for standing with our family.