On October 12, 2022, I received the worst phone call of my life. My son, Solomon was gone. We had just FaceTimed that previous Saturday, October 8th. He told me he was excited to go to his first college party at Michigan State to celebrate Halloween. I warned him to be careful to which he replied, “Mom you know me and you know I don’t drink!”
Saturday, October 9th, I shared a video of me blowing bubbles in the group chat with Solomon and my eldest son Ramses to which Solomon replied poking fun at me. On Monday, October 10th, I shared good news about another family member in the group chat to which Solomon enthusiastically replied “Good 👏🏽” (He would pass later that night we came to find out).
Everyday since October 12th has been like waking up to the same nightmare. My youngest son, my baby, my dear heart would no longer FaceTime me minutes before my lunch break to talk about life, music and fashion (our favorite topics). No longer would the three of us plan impromptu trips to Miami or Los Angeles or sit in the theater to watch yet another superhero movie. I thank God that he took an impromptu road trip of his own on Thursday, September 15th, just weeks before his passing. He didn't even tell me he was coming! "Mom, I have your location and I knew you were off from work this week". He just left Detroit, hopped into his car and hit the road excited to see his big brother, who had just arrived from college in Boston. That was/is Solomon - full of wonderful surprises. I had no idea that Sunday, September 18th would be the last time I would hug him before he departed in the wee hours back to Detroit on Monday, September 19th. Me being who I am, I insisted that we do a fun family dinner, so we went to have crab legs in Chinatown Chicago. When we got home, Solomon and I sat down and watched the 'NOPE' movie on AppleTV (even though he questioned if I should be paying $20 to do so). I cherish that time. Solomon was/is a man of great empathy and intelligence. He taught himself to read at age 3, and his best friend at age 4 is a boy named Alec (Cabacungan). You may know him as the face of Shriner's Hospital. Initially told by the Oak Park River Forest Day Nursery that Solomon preferred reading than playing with his classmates during free time, I later came to know that Soli not only was Alec's best friend, but that he taught the other children how to play with Alec safely. Alec, if you or your Mom are reading this - THANK YOU for all of the play dates. The way you two lit each other up was beautiful, and Soli has a video of you on Sports Center saved in his phone!
There are many unanswered questions about his death, so I held out on speaking publicly until we got those answers. But I’m not sure when they’re coming and perhaps this post will help someone else who is grieving. Thank you to the folks at All-Star Code for your moving tribute, my work colleagues and of course my Tinted-Glass BIPOC Careers team and many other family and friends. I’m fighting through tears writing this. My chest is burning all over again. But if you’ve ever worked with me, you know how much I never shut up about my kids! I love you Solomon FOREVER - every breath I take with you living in my heart 🤍🕊.
Tribute from All Star Code
" Today, we pay tribute to Solomon Hereford. It is great sadness that we share the news of Solomon's passing. Taken from us far too soon, Solomon was a bright light in our All Star Code Scholar community, joining the brotherhood as part of our Summer Intensive Program cohort in 2019.
Solomon showed up every day with a smile on his face and excitement to learn computer science and bond with his All Star Code brothers in the classroom. His generosity was on display in his Demo Day project, DoctorXplore, which offered a way to simplify the process of connecting families with medical care professionals.
We ask you to join us in remembering Solomon; our love and condolences go out to his family and community."
