Layla Garcia-Brown funeral expenses
Donation protected
On October 10, 2017 the world lost a woman that epitomized beauty, strength, compassion, and humility. Our family lost our glue, our living guardian angel. My sister Layla Garcia-Brown. She was 33 years old when she gained her wings and graduated from this life, after a ruptured brain aneurysm, to assist our ancestors in protecting the weak, the tired and the hopeless. In life THAT is what she did. A champion for justice Layla worked with Second chances for youth. A program meant to advocate for youth offenders to reduce Harsh sentences given to them. Advocating for the voiceless, while synchronously holding the criminal justice system accountable. A voice for the voiceless. That is who she was.
A graduate of Eastern Michigan University's honors college she majored in political science, with dreams of becoming a policy maker in order to enact widespread change, for all people. As a proud Afro-Latina those dreams often involved racial and social justice. She was a true grassroots activist, never afraid to challenge the status quo, and quickly put its proponents in check. She had a fire and drive inside of her spirit that would rival that of even Angela Davis or Nikki Giovanni, 2 of her heroes. That fire came from her 3rd hero. Our mother, Leola Jefferson. A former activist herself, and Layla's biggest fan, she needed me to start this campaign in order to give Layla a proper send off.
The bond she shared with our mom was one of a kind. Built on a foundation of love, admiration, humor, struggle and respect, she never left any doubt of the love she had for her. Although she could not have children of her own, she was a mother in every way, helping raise me, but most importantly helping raise her favorite person, her champion, her world, her nephew Arturo. Since his first day on this earth she was like a mother to him. Not only showering him with gifts, love and knowledge, she never strayed away from the hard questions even I couldn't answer. Volunteering at his school, going on field trips, bringing in snacks for the class, taking him to zap zone or the Hands on Museum, Layla was her nephews best friend. His "titi". She loved him so immensely that even in her death he still reminds us how much "titi loves me"
She was an intelligent, beautiful, funny and welcoming woman that would go out of her way to help anyone she saw needed it. From her friends and family to people on the street. She was everything that is right with the world.
For me Layla was my best friend. My homie. My hero. She was the one that I looked up to as a kid, and looked to for advice and guidance as an adult. She motivated me everyday to be the best father, son, and brother I could be and when I fell short she just said "don't give up" she was my rock. I knew that she would always understand me, even when no one else did. She saved my life on more then one occasion, and I wish I could have done the same for her. She made being a dad easier by telling me how proud she was of me, by recognizing my sons greatness, by being his mother figure. By being her. Which is why we need to be able to give her a proper send off.
These funds will be used to pay for her funeral expenses and a modest celebration of life. To remember the incredible woman that she was, not just for family but friends, co-workers and everyone that she touched. The funds are needed as soon as possible as we have to get everything in order for her, for her funeral.
My mother and I will be in charge of all expenses, and we are going to do everything in our power to make her proud. Thank you for taking time to read this and remember that anything helps.
Lastly, for all the friends and family reading, please know that she loved you all deeply. Let's do our best to reciprocate that love everyday and cherish the memories we have of her. She fought hard until her last breath, so when things get hard remind yourself "Layla would not give up, so I can't"
Peace to everyone
A graduate of Eastern Michigan University's honors college she majored in political science, with dreams of becoming a policy maker in order to enact widespread change, for all people. As a proud Afro-Latina those dreams often involved racial and social justice. She was a true grassroots activist, never afraid to challenge the status quo, and quickly put its proponents in check. She had a fire and drive inside of her spirit that would rival that of even Angela Davis or Nikki Giovanni, 2 of her heroes. That fire came from her 3rd hero. Our mother, Leola Jefferson. A former activist herself, and Layla's biggest fan, she needed me to start this campaign in order to give Layla a proper send off.
The bond she shared with our mom was one of a kind. Built on a foundation of love, admiration, humor, struggle and respect, she never left any doubt of the love she had for her. Although she could not have children of her own, she was a mother in every way, helping raise me, but most importantly helping raise her favorite person, her champion, her world, her nephew Arturo. Since his first day on this earth she was like a mother to him. Not only showering him with gifts, love and knowledge, she never strayed away from the hard questions even I couldn't answer. Volunteering at his school, going on field trips, bringing in snacks for the class, taking him to zap zone or the Hands on Museum, Layla was her nephews best friend. His "titi". She loved him so immensely that even in her death he still reminds us how much "titi loves me"
She was an intelligent, beautiful, funny and welcoming woman that would go out of her way to help anyone she saw needed it. From her friends and family to people on the street. She was everything that is right with the world.
For me Layla was my best friend. My homie. My hero. She was the one that I looked up to as a kid, and looked to for advice and guidance as an adult. She motivated me everyday to be the best father, son, and brother I could be and when I fell short she just said "don't give up" she was my rock. I knew that she would always understand me, even when no one else did. She saved my life on more then one occasion, and I wish I could have done the same for her. She made being a dad easier by telling me how proud she was of me, by recognizing my sons greatness, by being his mother figure. By being her. Which is why we need to be able to give her a proper send off.
These funds will be used to pay for her funeral expenses and a modest celebration of life. To remember the incredible woman that she was, not just for family but friends, co-workers and everyone that she touched. The funds are needed as soon as possible as we have to get everything in order for her, for her funeral.
My mother and I will be in charge of all expenses, and we are going to do everything in our power to make her proud. Thank you for taking time to read this and remember that anything helps.
Lastly, for all the friends and family reading, please know that she loved you all deeply. Let's do our best to reciprocate that love everyday and cherish the memories we have of her. She fought hard until her last breath, so when things get hard remind yourself "Layla would not give up, so I can't"
Peace to everyone
Organizer and beneficiary
Alex Hunter
Organizer
Ann Arbor, MI
Leola Jefferson
Beneficiary
