I was struggling to find a way to contribute to the cause that felt meaningful and true for me. Then I had this idea for this illustration to honor these Black lives, and add my voice to the call for justice and systemic change.

To assemble this tribute, both to Black lives, and to my favorite hip hop album of all time, A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, I read and re-read about so many lives that ended in tragedy. It’s a deeper tragedy that there were so many names and faces that I could have chosen beyond the 34 here for this artwork.

I thought it was important to emphasize the faces of these Black lives that mattered, to illuminate their humanity one more time. In place of ATCQ’s red and green mascot, Colin Kaepernick was the natural choice to represent the intelligent social commentary of the album put into action, on behalf of victims past and present.

Proceeds from apparel sales go to Black Lives Matter and Know Your Rights Camp.

1 Tony Terrell Robinson

2 Eric Garner

3 Matthew Ajibade

4 Tanisha Anderson

5 Walter Scott

6 Laquan McDonald

7 Phillip White

8 Michelle Cusseaux

9 Ezell Ford

10 Botham Jean

11 Mya Hall

12 Trayvon Martin

13 Tamir Rice

14 Eric Harris

15 Dante Parker

16 Natasha McKenna

17 Rumain Brisbon