Our brother, Yehudah, known to many as Broward Youngin or Yaya, passed away unexpectedly just three days before his birthday on Monday, October 12th. We should be celebrating him, hearing his laugh, and making more memories together. Instead, we’re trying to accept that we have to say goodbye. There are still no words that feel big enough for this hurt.

Yaya was one of the funniest people you could ever meet. He was bold, fearless, and so confident in who he was. He spoke his mind, lived in his truth, and could have a whole room laughing without even trying. When he walked in, it was like the sun walked in with him. He brought that much life, that much energy, and that much joy.

Yehudah did not play about his family. He loved us loudly, stood up for us, and showed up for us. His two baby brothers adored him, and he loved them up and down. He cared for them, spent time with them, and was someone they looked up to. He helped raise his baby sister and taught her so much of what she knows. Behind all that confidence and humor was a brother who loved his people deeply. We’re going to miss being loved by him.

Our family was already mourning another brother and our grandmother. Now our mother has to bury a second son. She is in shock. She barely has words for anyone right now, and she is still trying to understand what has happened while caring for eight other children, including two children under eight. Watching our mother hurt like this, while we’re hurting too, is something I cannot fully explain.

We were already going through hard times before this happened. We were not financially prepared to lose him, and we need help. While we’re trying to process that he’s no longer with us, we also have to make arrangements, get our family together, and figure out how to afford laying our brother to rest.

The money raised will help cover Yehudah’s funeral and burial, along with other essential expenses. It will help support us through the next two to three weeks as we make these arrangements and grieve together.

If you can give anything at all, please help us. It does not have to be a large donation. Whatever your heart can give and whatever you can afford will mean so much to us. It will help us put food in the house, bring his siblings home, and give our mother one less thing to worry about while she faces saying goodbye to her son.

If you cannot donate, please share this fundraiser so it can reach someone who can. Yehudah took a piece of all of our hearts with him, and we need our community around us right now. Thank you for every donation, every share, and every bit of love you give our family. God bless you.