Elijah's Legacy: Growing Community Through Grief and Remembrance
By Omari Salisbury / @Omarisal
In the heart of the Rainier Beach urban farm and wetlands, a profound gathering unfolded, a space where grief intertwined with hope, and remembrance blossomed into action. This was no ordinary event; it was a tribute to Elijah L. Lewis, a young man whose spirit touched many, and whose legacy continues to inspire. Through the voices of those who loved him – his mother, Jenine Lewis, and friends like Nyema Clark and Jarred Issac – a story of love, loss, and the enduring power of community emerges.
The farm, stewarded by Seattle Tilth, became a sanctuary. Nyema Clark, the founder of Nurturing Roots, described the space as "all for community," a place where "there are events year round" and where "you can come with your families for free and grab things as they are growing." But on this day, it was more than just a farm. It was a place of healing. Jenine Lewis, Elijah’s mother, explained, "We are volunteering and helping her with the event that she hosted for Elijah, my son who passed away… from gun violence." This wasn't just about remembering a life lost; it was about "celebrating the transitioning of my son in positive, constructive ways, bringing us together and community."
Elijah was deeply connected to the earth. Converge Media documented Elijah working at the Nurturing Roots farm years ago. Jenine confirmed, "He was really big about the soil and new beginnings and one with the earth and community, to, you know, just being in Unity together in that way." This love for cultivation and connection to the land was central to the day’s activities. Nyema described how they were "releasing those plants, giving them more room to grow, giving them more room to express their genius," a powerful metaphor for the act of remembering and letting go. She added, "Being able to give them a new pot, give them a new home, give them a new start… separating plants, being able to gift them forward, I think is something that's important."
Jarred Issac spoke of the "solace and the collab with nurturing roots" as "honoring the spirit of Elijah and doing the things that he cared about, the things that he emphasized, which is kind of getting back to the ground, getting back to the full wholeness of being." He emphasized the importance of "spaces specific for black and brown folks to have, spaces that they can come cultivate the earth and get their hands dirty." Solace, an organization founded by Jenine Lewis in memory of her son, provided "a safe place for folks to come and feel that they can bring their emotions and not just leave it at the door, but come with it fully and just be their full selves."
Grief, though a heavy presence, was met with resilience and action. Jenine shared, "It's important to me to continue to keep his name alive… to bring people who also are experiencing loss and might be isolated in their homes or can't get past certain elements of their grief." She spoke of the healing process, of overcoming personal loss, and of the "personal experience" that can't be easily defined. “What I’m learning is to when the emotion or the, let’s say, if it’s anger or it’s confusion or whatever that is, I’m learning to allow myself to go through me, you know, transition through me, and with the support of the members on solace.” The act of gathering, of sharing stories and meals, of working with the earth, provided a pathway through that grief.
The spirit of Elijah was seen as "all about giving life," as Nyema put it. She reflected, "For his anniversary, we just wanted to do something that was given life." And indeed, the day was filled with new beginnings. Plants were repotted, new connections were formed, and the community came together to nurture not only the soil but also each other. Jarred expressed the hope that the weekend "brings awareness to the full totality of what Elijah was in a way that inspires others to do the things and follow in his footsteps to take things even further."
As the rain stopped, a sense of peace settled over the farm. Nyema felt Elijah’s presence, saying, "It strengthens me. It strengthens our community, and it's something that I know he would want me to do." And so, the memory of Elijah Lewis lives on, not just in hearts but in the soil, in the shared meals, and in the unwavering strength of a community that chooses to grow, even in the face of loss.
Jenine Lewis beautifully captured the essence of her son: "For me, it was about the love for humanity, the love for community, and reconciling bringing people of all different backgrounds… to come together and get things done." And that, ultimately, is the enduring legacy of Elijah Lewis – a legacy of love, community, and the transformative power of growth.
