Long Live King Kobe: Following the Murder of Tyler Kobe Nichols

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On the eve of Christmas Eve, Tyler Kobe Nichols collapsed on the sidewalk, fatally wounded. His death at twenty-one marked another instance of senseless violence in America, receiving minimal coverage in the media. Yet, each tragedy unfolds a deeper narrative about the aftermath of loss, as Tyler's mother, Sherma Chambers, poignantly notes, a generational issue with no clear resolution. The project began with a misunderstanding when photographer Spencer Ostrander attended Tyler's funeral, mistakenly believing he was a gun violence victim. Instead, he met Sherma, leading to a collaboration that included Paul Auster, uniting strangers in shared sorrow. The Nichols/Chambers family's openness allows readers to witness their intimate grief following Tyler's murder. Their response includes establishing a foundation aimed at combating street violence through love, transforming their tragedy into a catalyst for societal change. This work invites readers to engage with the community's resilience amidst outrage and despair over the violence epidemic. It also offers a glimmer of hope, as the Long Live King Kobe Foundation, initiated by Sherma Chambers, will fund nonviolence initiatives to protect youth. Proceeds from this book will support the foundation's mission.