Those We Lost — June 7

Honoring those we lost on June 7 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind.

James Byrd Jr.

Born May 2, 1949 — Died June 7, 1998

Title: Hate-crime victim and symbol in the fight against racist violence

James Byrd Jr. was a Black man from Jasper, Texas, whose racist murder shocked the country in 1998. His death helped lead to stronger hate-crime laws, including the federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Ken Riley

Born August 6, 1947 — Died June 7, 2020

Title: Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback, coach, and HBCU athletic leader

Ken Riley was a standout cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals and later a coach and athletic director at Florida A&M University. Though he was long overlooked by the Hall of Fame during his lifetime, he was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.