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Meet our honored m.o.m.s. + celebrated suns
Nicole Carmack + cyrus carmack-belton
Cyrus Carmack-Belton was funny. Not just regular funny — Chris Rock funny, as one of his teachers remembered him. Quick. Sharp. Curious. The kind of child who could break the tension in a room with one line and leave people laughing before they even realized they needed joy.
He was smart, too. The kind of smart that asked questions bigger than his years. One teacher remembered him asking, with all sincerity, whether his teacher had gone to an all-white school in the 1960s. That was Cyrus — playful, but paying attention. Smiling, but thinking. Young, but already trying to understand the world around him.
His catechism teacher, Maya Beckley-García, wrote that “Cyrus is an absolute joy to have in the classroom.” She described him as sincere, kind, playful, upbeat, and deeply capable. She wrote that his understanding of complicated ideas was impressive, and that his family should be proud of him.
His mother, Nicole, remembered the light of him plainly and powerfully: “To know him is to love him.” She wrote about his charismatic energy, the smile that could melt your heart, his pranks, his roasting skills, and the way he kept everybody on their toes. She called him her Cyrus Monroe and prayed for God to guide and protect him.
His dad, Troy, remembered a moment that says so much about Cyrus’s heart. When asked to kill a centipede, Cyrus refused. He said the centipede would die — and if he died, he would go to hell for killing it. So Troy got a spoon and rescued the centipede instead.
That was Cyrus.
Funny enough to make grown people laugh. Curious enough to ask hard questions. Tender enough to spare a bug. Loved enough that his absence still speaks.
Cyrus did not deserve to die that way. He deserved more birthdays, more classrooms, more jokes, more questions, more chances to become every good thing already living inside him.
We remember Cyrus with love.
SALEEMAH GRAHAM-FLEMING + SANAA MAHARI
Sanaa Amenhotep's birth weight of 8lbs 3oz heralded her strong presence in the world on August 4th, at 8:05 pm. Her entry into life was tumultuous. But throughout her 15 years, Sanaa impacted her community profoundly, in ways that few young people do. An avid reader and an impeccable writer from an early age, she initially aspired to become a lawyer and then a judge. However, her talents extended beyond the courtroom; she developed an impressive three-point shot, which drew her dreams toward the WNBA.
Despite being a conqueror of community violence and enduring tremendous personal loss, Sanaa didn't limit her skills to just one area. She also learned to style and care for hair, showcasing her versatile abilities. Shortly before her untimely passing, when asked about her career aspirations, she confidently replied, "All three!"
Tragically, on April 5th, 2021, Sanaa's bright future was cut short; she was gunned down, leaving her loved ones and all whom she touched to carry on as #survivors. As the world moves forward, families continue to suffer and grapple with loss in ways that are beyond comprehension.
There were no funerals, no process of identifying bodies, and no selection of clothes for her to wear in eternal rest. We were left with just a few tender face kisses, and an "I'm so proud of you," before she left to take pictures—a moment from which she would never return.
Brandy Olivis + Ryan Rowe
My name is Brandy Olivis. I was born and raised in Columbia, SC, with my twin sister and two older siblings, Ericka Williams and Darieon Williams. I am a mother to three young men, Teran M. Rowe, Trenton Rowe, and Ryan R. Rowe, and a grandmother to one grandson.
I graduated from Columbia High School in 1997, and in 2009, I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Management from South University. Professionally, I have been an employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina for over 10 years, where I currently hold the position of Business Analyst II.
On April 9, 2022, my son, Ryan Rowe, was murdered due to gun and teenage violence. Ryan had just celebrated his 16th birthday on March 29, 2022. My heart, mind, and soul were numb to the heartbreaking death of my son. Instead of constantly focusing on what I could have done as a parent to prevent my son’s senseless death, I decided to redirect my thoughts, energy, and anger towards a solution-based initiative to honor my son while also helping other parents avoid burying their child due to gun violence. I believe that by focusing on academic achievement and intentional parenting, we can reduce teen and gun violence in our communities.
dOnte Sims + Knowledge Sims
My name is Donte Sims. I am a mother to seven and have two grandchildren whom I love dearly. I am currently pursuing a degree in Education. My children inspire me; they drive me to become a better person, and I strive daily to be a role model they can be proud of.
On April 30, 2020, I faced the devastating loss of my youngest son, Knowledge Sims, to senseless gun violence at just seven years old. Knowledge was a playful child, always enjoying time with his siblings, and had a passion for football, playing for the Tre3Canes here in Columbia. My daughter Adontis was also shot but thankfully survived. Her strength is something I deeply admire.
The loss of Knowledge has irreversibly changed our lives. As a close-knit family, we PUSH through this journey together, keeping the memory of our little Hercules alive.
Strut Talk Runway Therapy
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