Kalief Browder was the adoptive son of Venida Browder, and grew up in a two-story brick house with his adoptive and foster siblings. As a kid, he was a notoriously picky eater, and his mom would make him special meals (much to the irritation of his older siblings). He was energetic, funny, very smart, and loved video games… especially NBA 2K.
Kalief Browder was imprisoned on May 16, 2010, at age 17 in Rikers Island for allegedly stealing a backback. He would stay there for three years, without ever having a trial. Unable to afford bail, he endured beatings by prison guards and other inmates. Kalief endured over 800 days in solitary confinement before being released. Traumatized from his ordeal, Kalief became paranoid and fearful, often pacing fretfully around in a small square (a tic he picked up in Rikers). On June 5, 2015, Kalief told his mother “I can’t take it anymore.” He hanged himself the following day.
Black lives matter.
