Alvin Sykes Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Our beloved brother Alvin Sykes has made his transition into the realm of the Ancestors. We are asking friends, community and all those who love and respected Alvin to consider giving so that he can be laid to rest properly.
Alvin Sykes was born in July of 1956. His mother, just a baby herself could not care for Alvin. He had a tumultuous childhood and spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. As an adolescent he was abused and dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. However, Alvin did not let his past get in his way. He believed in “turning that poison into medicine.” He was a self-taught civil rights activist who educated himself in the public library system. Sykes would spend hours on end reading law books, court documents, and studying court cases of the civil rights movement. He was notorious for finding loopholes in the justice system that would help cases get reopened and solved.
In 1981, his passion for justice grew even stronger after the death of his friend, Kansas City musician, Steve Harvey. Harvey was murdered in a racist attack by Raymond Bledsoe – a 19-year-old white man who was acquitted by an all-white jury. Immediately Alvin jumped into action, researching, and studying and eventually finding an amended section of title 18 of the US Code that would get the attention of the Justice Department. Through Alvin’s diligence the case was reopened through the federal court and eventually Bledsoe was sentenced to life for violating the Civil Rights act of 1968. This victory was only the fourth of its kind at the time. Many people are unaware of this major accomplishment in history.
Sykes became a true warrior for justice. He studied and investigated unsolved murders from the civil rights era. He traveled across country meeting with the families and lawyers, gathering all the information he could before testifying before congress. Notably, he was instrumental in getting the “Till Bill” or Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act passed. This bill established a division of FBI agents, prosecutors, and set aside funds for the sole purpose of investigating racially motivated killings. Emmett Till was just 14 when he when two men beat, mutilated, shot him in the head and weighed his body down in the river for allegedly flirting with a white woman. His murderers were acquitted and never retried for murder. Alvin’s work is credited for reopening Emmett Till’s case. Till’s case became the primary example of why the bill was needed to bring justice to other cases of the civil rights era.
Additionally, as a fighter for racial and social justice Alvin Sykes became a founding member of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Black United Front. NBUF, over a forty-year period, has related to, and organized around numerous issues that have impacted the African World Community. As a founding member, Alvin embodied the mission of commitment and responsibility for working and leading the struggle for a better life for his people and their children. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke his words were wise and mighty. You would often find him at a community meeting sharing knowledge of the law or history. He would encourage young members of NBUF to continue on in the movement unwavering and would offer his support and guidance. He believed strongly in the future of the Black United Front. His smile was infectious and the life stories and experiences he shared were inspiring and heart felt. Alvin was devoted to his calling.
Alvin Sykes was not only a Kansas City civil rights giant, but he was also nationally and internationally known for the change he helped pave in history. Anyone who knows Alvin knows that he gave selflessly. Mostly working for donations, he was a good steward of what little he possessed. At the time of his transition Alvin was in a care facility due to an accident he had while traveling to Chicago to celebrate Rev. Wheeler Parker’s 80th birthday. Rev Parker is cousin to Emmett Till and was with him the day of the incident and abduction. Sykes suffered a life altering injury that would have him bedridden and unable to walk. But his mind was as sharp as ever. He would often speak of the work he had yet to complete.
The NBUF Family of Alvin Sykes would like to thank everyone in advance for the love and support that you have shown our dear brother. He will be deeply missed but his legacy shall live and fight on forever. Alvin lived the words of the Great Marcus Garvey “Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will.”
Alvin Sykes was born in July of 1956. His mother, just a baby herself could not care for Alvin. He had a tumultuous childhood and spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. As an adolescent he was abused and dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. However, Alvin did not let his past get in his way. He believed in “turning that poison into medicine.” He was a self-taught civil rights activist who educated himself in the public library system. Sykes would spend hours on end reading law books, court documents, and studying court cases of the civil rights movement. He was notorious for finding loopholes in the justice system that would help cases get reopened and solved.
In 1981, his passion for justice grew even stronger after the death of his friend, Kansas City musician, Steve Harvey. Harvey was murdered in a racist attack by Raymond Bledsoe – a 19-year-old white man who was acquitted by an all-white jury. Immediately Alvin jumped into action, researching, and studying and eventually finding an amended section of title 18 of the US Code that would get the attention of the Justice Department. Through Alvin’s diligence the case was reopened through the federal court and eventually Bledsoe was sentenced to life for violating the Civil Rights act of 1968. This victory was only the fourth of its kind at the time. Many people are unaware of this major accomplishment in history.
Sykes became a true warrior for justice. He studied and investigated unsolved murders from the civil rights era. He traveled across country meeting with the families and lawyers, gathering all the information he could before testifying before congress. Notably, he was instrumental in getting the “Till Bill” or Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act passed. This bill established a division of FBI agents, prosecutors, and set aside funds for the sole purpose of investigating racially motivated killings. Emmett Till was just 14 when he when two men beat, mutilated, shot him in the head and weighed his body down in the river for allegedly flirting with a white woman. His murderers were acquitted and never retried for murder. Alvin’s work is credited for reopening Emmett Till’s case. Till’s case became the primary example of why the bill was needed to bring justice to other cases of the civil rights era.
Additionally, as a fighter for racial and social justice Alvin Sykes became a founding member of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Black United Front. NBUF, over a forty-year period, has related to, and organized around numerous issues that have impacted the African World Community. As a founding member, Alvin embodied the mission of commitment and responsibility for working and leading the struggle for a better life for his people and their children. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke his words were wise and mighty. You would often find him at a community meeting sharing knowledge of the law or history. He would encourage young members of NBUF to continue on in the movement unwavering and would offer his support and guidance. He believed strongly in the future of the Black United Front. His smile was infectious and the life stories and experiences he shared were inspiring and heart felt. Alvin was devoted to his calling.
Alvin Sykes was not only a Kansas City civil rights giant, but he was also nationally and internationally known for the change he helped pave in history. Anyone who knows Alvin knows that he gave selflessly. Mostly working for donations, he was a good steward of what little he possessed. At the time of his transition Alvin was in a care facility due to an accident he had while traveling to Chicago to celebrate Rev. Wheeler Parker’s 80th birthday. Rev Parker is cousin to Emmett Till and was with him the day of the incident and abduction. Sykes suffered a life altering injury that would have him bedridden and unable to walk. But his mind was as sharp as ever. He would often speak of the work he had yet to complete.
The NBUF Family of Alvin Sykes would like to thank everyone in advance for the love and support that you have shown our dear brother. He will be deeply missed but his legacy shall live and fight on forever. Alvin lived the words of the Great Marcus Garvey “Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will.”
Fundraising team (2)
Ajamu Webster
Organizer
Kansas City, MO
Tashia Brooks
Team member