Sakia’s story is one of both tragedy and inspiration, a powerful reminder of the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those at the intersection of race and sexual orientation, continue to face.
And now, 20 years after her tragic death, the city of Newark, New Jersey, is dedicating a street in honor of Sakia’s memory.
Sakia was a vibrant, confident, and openly masculine of center lesbian. She was born on May 26, 1987, in Newark, a city where her presence challenged societal norms and prejudices.
On a fateful night in May 2003, Sakia’s life was cut short at the tender age of 15, the victim of a brutal hate crime. Her story, while heartbreaking, became a catalyst for change and justice.