The families were welcomed into the city with a reception hosted by the Love Not Blood Campaign at the office of the American Federation of Teachers on Oct. 9.

Founded by Cephus “Uncle Bobby” Johnson (uncle of Oscar Grant, III, killed by a former BART officer in Oakland, Ca.) and his wife, Beatrice X, the campaign works to end police terrorism, mass incarceration, and community violence. Their key priority is also to provide support and resources to families that have suffered traumatic experiences of gun violence.

“This was absolutely for the families, because how you stand, I’m still trying to figure it out,” Beatrice X said. They thanked sponsors Pat Ford, former executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Bill Prichert, international communications director for the American Federation of Teachers, and George Gresham, executive director of the SEIU.

As they ate, drank and fellowshipped, some mothers’ tears began to flow as a video presentation displayed slides of their loved ones in “Justice or Else” memes.

Student Min. Keith Muhammad and Wanda Johnson, Oscar Grant’s mother and a reverend, blessed the gathering and families with a unity prayer. There was also a Native American sacred prayer ceremony and a libation.

Artists performed a praise dance and youth sang and stepped affirmations from the rituals rooted in the Continent of Africa.

The families’ spirits were further lifted when R&B artist Usher wished them well through a live video/chat. “Each and every person that is a part of what you guys are doing there is amazing, and I really, really love the approach of having the conversation by way of love,” he said.

He said he has empathy for the tragic experiences they’ve had to undergo and that’s part of why he’s chosen to use his platform to acknowledge and highlight what they’re doing.

Another highlight came when Mr. Brown and his family presented gifts, including an artist’s sketch of Kendrick Johnson, to his parents for his birthday, which was Oct. 10.

“I feel it was something that was supposed to happen. Kendrick was being born the day the Million Man March started. He would have been 20 years old tomorrow also, so it’s bitter sweet,” said his mother Jacqueline.

“I’m grateful for the donation, but it’s the love that we share, the unity being around all the families, that I truly know understand what I’m going through,” she continued.

“This was a real nice experience, to see a lot of people coming together. That’s what we all have to do, come together and be as one instead of apart, because we’re going to get somewhere by being together,” said his father, Kenneth.