Justice for Shemsi "Sanu" Baraka
Donation protected
Thank you to everyone who donated and supported Sanu’s legacy. We are pleased to announce the Sanu Baraka Memorial Fund to create opportunities for youth to study African drumming for free! Sanu’s sisters were able to travel from Gambia and have safely returned and his funeral was generously supported by your donations. A investigation has also been launched to get Justice for Sanu. Thank you for your help and God Bless you!
*Update* Sanu's funeral service will be Sunday, April 7 at 3pm. Location: 2450 Prospect Ave, Cleveland OH (Wings Academy)
*Update* A balloon release on Monday, April 1 will commemorate Sanu's birthday in Cleveland.
On Wednesday March 27th, I received the call no one wants to receive: at the age of only 26, that my younger brother Sanu had been murdered in an act of senseless gun violence.
Pictured: far left (Afrika, sister of Sanu) and far right (Sesa, sister of Sanu), Sanu pictured left of Sesa.
Sanu (pronounced Sa-Nu) was a fun-loving brother, a jubilant son, a loving grandson, a Master Djembe drummer, a talented football player and a member of a small but mighty community of African dancers and drummers across the country and internationally who carry the torch of our African cultural heritage with us wherever we go. His light touched so many: as his orientation was to protect those he loved and cared for. As a teacher, a friend and a brother and son/grandson he will be missed dearly. As a performer, the world has lost a great Djembe Fola. He will be remembered for his performances in the "Coming the America 2" soundtrack and movie as well opening for the "Guava Island" film by Rihanna. He will be remembered for his immaculate performances in theaters, colleges, universities and schools nation wide and internationally.
Pictured: Sanu teaches students at a Rancho Cucamonga elementary school
We are calling for JUSTICE for Sanu's murder! Senseless acts of gun violence harm our entire community! We aim to ensure Sanu receives justice and to ensure that his legacy lives on in the cultural arts work of his family's dance and drum organizations. All donations made to his memorial will support free cultural arts programming for urban youth.
Pictured: African Soul International in Cleveland, OH
We are raising funds to help pay for: (1) his funeral and memorial service, (2) to ensure his two sisters living in the Gambia are able to attend his funeral in Cleveland, (3) to hire a private investigator and (4) to create a memorial scholarship for cultural arts in his name. Justice for Sanu!
Pictured: Sanu (front, center) and African Soul International performing for Civil Rights Leader and former President Candidate, Jesse Jackson.
We appreciate all donations. Please share widely and repost in your cultural arts, culture and community groups! Help us get justice for Sanu!
Sanu is survived by his sisters, his mother, his father, uncle and grand mother. He was our oak tree, holding us together. We pray his soul is granted swift and clear passage to a higher place. Ase.
Organizer
Sesa Bakenra
Organizer
Cleveland, OH