Rooted in Love: Honoring Elijah L. Lewis Through Community and Cultivation
On March 31, 2025, the Rainier Beach Urban Farm in South Seattle became a place of healing and remembrance. Community members gathered to honor Elijah L. Lewis, a beloved organizer and visionary who was tragically taken by gun violence in 2023.
The memorial, a collaboration between a collaborative effort between Solace, an organization founded in Elijah's honor to provide grief support, and Nurturing Roots, a community-driven urban farming initiative rooted in self-sustainability and empowerment; included planting, volunteering, and releasing root-bound plants — powerful symbols of grief, growth, and new beginnings. “Elijah cared about community and the Earth,” said organizer Jarred Issac. “Today was about doing what he loved and creating space for Black and Brown folks to connect.”
For Elijah’s mother, Jenine Lewis, Solace has become a lifeline. “Some people have never talked about their grief until they come here,” she said. “We provide a safe space to feel, to share, and to move forward.”
Nyema Clark, founder of Nurturing Roots, led the group in replanting — a metaphor for personal growth. “Sometimes we all need more space,” she said. “Elijah showed up for us. Today we show up for him.”
This memorial wasn’t just a tribute — it was a continuation of Elijah’s mission. Through community, connection, and love, his legacy lives on.
Long Live Elijah L. Lewis.
To learn more about Nurturing Roots visit: nurturingrootsfarm.org/
