• Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Brother Of Kalief Browder Pens Emotional Letter To The Mother He Continues To Mourn
By Deion Browder · Updated May 14, 2019
Home · News

Brother Of Kalief Browder Pens Emotional Letter To The Mother He Continues To Mourn

By Deion Browder·Updated May 14, 2019
On October 14, 2016 — just a year and four months after the passing of her son Kalief — a broken heart claimed the life of Venida Browder. For Mother's Day, son Deion Browder honors her legacy and their enduring special bond.

To my loving mom Venida,

It’s been two years and seven months since you started on your adventure with our Heavenly Father, but it feels like just yesterday that I said my final “see you later.”

I must admit that this new journey without you has been full of darkness and at times a bit of fear. I seldom smile anymore, and comfort comes in knowing that I can escape to my room and be alone with my four white walls to protect me. It’s hard feeling so far away from you, even though I know how close you really are. Your amazing smile, spirt, innocence, laugh, shyness and just plain kindness reside in its new home, and I’m still getting used to that.

MY HEART!! I told myself on October 13, 2016, that I can’t imagine my life without you. I stroked your hair and held your hand and continuously apologized, “I’m sorry, ma. I’m so so sorry.” Because I truly am so sorry that you had to endure such horror, pain, and heartbreak. I apologize if I didn’t do all that I could to be there with you, but I tried, ma — I did. And I hope you saw that. I would’ve done anything for you!

Brother Of Kalief Browder Pens Emotional Letter To The Mother He Continues To Mourn

I remember reading a passage from your diary stating that you were so concerned about me not going to work to be there for you. But to me, work came secondary to you. You were always my number one focus. I am your son, and even though you’re so far away, I will ALWAYS be there for you!!! I promised that to you and I will forever keep that promise!!!

Some of the moments I miss most are our karaoke nights — when we would sing together in your room and I would play The Carpenters’ “Yesterday Once More” and you would say, “I like that song.” Or when I played my favorite Selena tune, “I Could Fall In Love” and you would roll your eyes and say, “You’re playing Selena again?” but catch yourself instantly singing along. I got so much joy out of that.

If only you could understand what my days have been like without you. If only you knew how hard my life has been knowing that I can’t hear your laugh, feel your hugs or just see you on your bed, laptop opened, looking at eBay and bidding away at the things that made you happy.

No Amount Of Money Will Ever Bring Justice To Kalief Browder’s Name
His Mother Adopted Several Children

If I was granted one more day with you I wouldn’t say a word. I would just hug you and not let go. You are and will forever be my rock, my inspiration, my angel, my idol. You are everything I want to be. I know you are proud of me, but really, I’m so proud of you — for all that you have done, for all you have accomplished and for all you continue to achieve even though you’re no longer here.

Oh MA, I love you so very much and I miss you beyond what my words can say.

I’ll be seeing you on Mother’s Day this year as I always did. Remember how you loved the cupcakes I would bring?? I do. You always loved your sweets!

One day we’ll be together again, ma. But until then, always know that I love you sooooo much…

-Deion

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now