Years after his tragic death, Trayvon Martin has become a symbol of social justice activism, as has his hauntingly familiar image: the photo of a child still in the process of becoming a young man, wearing a hoodie and gazing silently at the camera. Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, joins BPL President David Leonard to talk about who Trayvon was before his death made him an icon and inspired a renewal of a civil rights crusade. Through real life stories and compelling experiences, Fulton take us beyond the news cycle and familiar images to give the account that only she can offer: the story of the beautiful and complex child she lost. She also walks us through her experiences with unresponsive police, the hostility of the legal system, and her journey from grief and pain to power, from tragedy and senselessness to purpose. [**The Repairing America Initiative**](https://forum-network.org/series/boston-public-library-repairing-america/) is the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face. This program, presented in partnership with the GBH Forum Network and is part of the Lowell Lecture Series sponsored by the Lowell Institute.