Source: Getty Images / JORDAN GONZALEZ/AFP / Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) –
Tamir Rice would have turned 16 years old in June.
The 12-year-old was gunned down by Cleveland police after they received reports of an armed person outside Cuddell Recreation Center in November 2014.
It turned out to be a toy gun.
The two officers involved were not criminally charged in the shooting.
Tamir’s mother, Samaria Rice is pushing to keep his legacy alive and she’s doing it with a new Afrocentric center in his name as part of the Tamir Rice Foundation.
“I actually purchased this commercial building because I wanted to turn this center into a center for children to empower the youth for change, said Samaria Rice.
Rice has a dream: to make the old Slavic News building on St. Clair a go-to-spot for kids after school.
On two stories she envisions music, art, digital training, tutoring and more.
She was excited as she walked down a second story hall into a large room.
“This will be an office for my art teacher and this is my office. Yessss!”
She hopes to partner with Cleveland Schools and nearby St. Martin de Porres Schools to provide programming during after school hours.
She aims for an opening in 2019.
A sweet sixteen birthday celebration/fundraiser will be held at the Cleveland Museum of Art on June 14.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
READ MORE: Cleveland19.com
Article Courtesy of WOIO Cleveland 19 News
First Picture Courtesy of Andrew Burton and Getty Images
Second Picture Courtesy of Jordan Gonzalez, AFP, and Getty Images
Video Courtesy of Facebook and WOIO Cleveland 19 News
