Community Celebrates the Life of Elijah Lewis in Rainier Beach
Reporting by Cesar Canizales
It was an evening of celebration in Rainier Valley on Friday, as community members honored the life of Elijah Lewis, who was shot and killed just a week ago in Capitol Hill.
The event followed several vigils around the city that commemorated the 23-year-old’s life of service.
“I love my family, right—we were brought up service-minded,” remembered Jenine Lewis, Elijah Lewis’ mother.
Lewis was remembered as a caring son, a brother, a friend, a fighter for the community. And he was praised for his work in the Central District.
“Although his loss has been hard, this week has been hard. I can't help but be proud of him.
Still proud of the light that he's shining a community from here to the CD. Not a lot of kids can say that,” said Shantel Patu, executive director of Urban Family.
His brother was visibly emotional but praised Lewis.
“If you didn’t know my brother, understand that he worked tirelessly, but he also knew who was loyal,” said Mario Dunham, Lewis’ brother.
Others remembered him as a tireless individual who uplifted the community through his work.
“This young man was the most incredible young man I ever seen in our community. Hands down. Never seen nobody like this. Never seen a young man upright. That man dressed up and put on school and walked the world to success. He said, ‘I got to dress like this because I'm going to be successful,’” said Dominique Davis, from Community Passageways.
Converge Media’s Trae Holliday knew and worked with Lewis and considered him a brother who always wanted to help those around him.
“He was a spark. And that spark still lives on with so many of us to this day. What he did was he reminded us that if we go after our dreams, if we go after the things we want, we can achieve so much. And when we bring all of our dreams into community, we can actually achieve more,” said Holiday.
Holiday says the outpouring of support from the community at this event did not surprise her.
“This is really about who Elijah was. I mean, he was one to celebrate with people, one to celebrate with community, one to uplift everyone. And so what we've seen this week is really a celebration and a continuation of that legacy that he left for all of us,” Holiday said.
Holiday says Lewis’ work to build relationships in the area made him special.
“Elijah really laid a foundation that allows all of us to pour into and plug into in a way that allows us to be doing. And speaking right here, you know, in the south end of Seattle, the same way that we would speak about him in the central district of Seattle,” Holiday added. “That's the beauty of who he was because he connected with so many different communities throughout King County and beyond. And that's really, I think, a testament to his dedication to staying connected and committed to his community.”
Lewis was working on an plan to reduce violence.
“One of the latest initiatives Elijah was working on was ‘The Covenant.’ And that is where we have 17 principles that we can all stand on, because when we begin to change our mindset and elevate our mindset and come closer together in love and community and connection, we actually find that people don't have a reason to go pick up a gun,” she said. “So, if you have an altercation on the streets or in traffic or whatever else, what you can do is, you can think back to, ‘Wait a minute, I need to be reminding myself that I'm one with this person, that I'm we're actually the same.’”
Ash Kaur was a business partner and friend of Lewis’. She says Lewis changed people, including her.
“He was. He was inspiring. It was inspiring. He inspired me to become a better person. I am lucky and I'm so grateful that I got to meet this individual and share a journey of partnership, of friendship,” said Kaur.
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay announced that Lewis’s birthday in November will be designated Elijah Lewis Day in the county.
Photos by Seattle photographer Jordan Somers on behalf of Converge Media
