Four years ago, Sedan Smith’s younger brother Sylville Smith was shot and killed by a Milwaukee police officer. His brother’s death motivated him to turn tragedy into triumph and to be an advocate for change.

“We’re going to keep pushing forward and making things better,” Smith said. “We’re just focusing more on doing what’s best for Sylville and keeping his name alive.”

Since 2016, Smith has held an annual book bag drive for neighborhood children in honor of his brother.

“I try to carry the fight, wherever there’s injustice, wherever there’s a police force that is not needed, where there’s overpolicing,” says Sedan Smith. (File photo by Adam Carr)

In its first year, Smith gave away 200 book bags. Since then, the drive has continued to grow. This year, Sedan Smith has over 1,000 book bags for students in elementary school through high school. The bags contain supplies such as pencils, binders, calculators and laptops. Everything has been donated.     

This year’s event will take place in Sherman Park, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd., from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. There will be guest speakers, live music, food and more.

Smith said he strives to create a positive atmosphere during the event, where children can have fun and be joyful, because that’s what his brother would do. 

In addition to the book-bag drive, Smith is a community activist and a lead organizer for the grassroots Peoples Revolution.  

“I try to carry the fight, wherever there’s injustice, wherever there’s a police force that is not needed, where there’s overpolicing,” he said.

Since the murder of George Floyd in May, the group has marched consecutively for over 70 days. 

“I want to be not like Martin Luther King, not like Malcom X, but I want to be the big brother of Sylville Smith,” Smith said. “I want to carry his name wherever I go in a positive manner.”