Covering vigils for fallen community members has always been an uncomfortable experience for me, and attending this one for Najee Seabrooks in March 2023 was no different. What stood out wasn’t just the raw emotions felt by those in attendance but the frustration among the community as they gathered not just to mourn but to rally against what they viewed as unchecked police brutality.

Najee’s story, like too many others, was one of seeking help and meeting a tragic end instead. After calling 911 during a mental health crisis, he was met by police, and within hours, he was dead. Watching the bodycam footage left me with more questions than answers. As someone who feels the pull to cover these stories, the trauma of it all also made me step back from reporting for a while, struggling between wanting to make a difference and needing to protect my peace.

Photographing the faces of those grieving, those who called for change, and those still standing in the fight for justice, I felt both the weight of the moment and the enduring need for these stories to be told. Here’s some of my coverage for WHYY News and WBGO from that time. 

– Tennyson Donyea