- I
- s
For those who had the privilege of knowing Quentin, you know he was a brilliant and loving man. His heart was big, and his empathy ran deep. For those who may not have known him, he was a man of the people. He was the guy you’d see riding his bike from Moreno Valley to Downtown Riverside. He was the guy at the library reading a Julius Lester book. You could find him at museums and punk shows, at protests and demonstrations.
He believed in change — real change — and held onto a hope that many of us have, and some of us may never know.
Life was also hard for Quentin. Through family estrangements and the crumbling of organizations he once trusted, the weight of the world became too heavy for him. Sometime during the first weekend of October, Quentin took his own life. He was found clinging to the urn that held his mother’s ashes, with only a few emails sent to close friends.
A few former BLMIE / BPCIE members have come together to raise funds for a formal memorial service to assist his aunt, his only living close relative. It’s important to note that without Quentin Savage, Black Power Collective — formerly known as BLM IE — would not have existed in the way it did. Quentin was the strategic foundation that held us together. He had ideas, passion, and determination. He pushed us to be the activists we didn’t know we could be. He gave us grace and motivation. He was a pillar of the Black community, and we wish to give him the send-off he deserves.
We understand that times are hard right now and there is so much going on in the world. If you are able to, please donate — any amount helps. At the very least, please share his story and this link to help us honor his legacy.
We’ve included a link with a story about Quentin Savage so that those who didn’t get the chance to know him may catch a glimpse of his genius and his heart.