Ahmaud Arbery Foundation launches campaign to honor his legacy ahead of 31st birthday

ATLANTA - The foundation formed in memory of Ahmaud Arbery is launching a new campaign to honor his life, just weeks before what would have been his 31st birthday. 

Arbery’s case captured national attention after he was shot and killed while running through a Brunswick neighborhood on Feb. 23, 2020. His mother later founded the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation, which works to raise money for causes that reflect his legacy and is dedicated to keeping Arbery’s memory alive.

The death of Ahmaud Arbery

The backstory:

Greg McMichael, a retired investigator in Johnson’s office, initiated the pursuit with his son Travis McMichael after 25-year-old Arbery jogged past their home. A neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, joined the chase and recorded the shooting on his phone. Prosecutors say the men wrongly suspected Arbery of theft. 

The men avoided arrest for over two months until a leaked video of the killing drew national outrage. 

Gregory McMichael (left), his son Travis McMichael and William Bryan (right).

All three were later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, with additional federal hate crime convictions in 2022.

Ahmaud Arbery’s 31st birthday

Dig deeper:

Ahead of May 8, the day Arbery would have turned 31, his mother is encouraging supporters to donate $31 to fund scholarships, youth leadership camps, and mental health programs focused on investing in young people's futures.

She hopes for every board member to be able to give away up to $31,000 in $31 increments.

What they're saying:

"I tell people all the time that Ahmaud was killed in the year 2020 during the COVID pandemic when we were all shut indoors, and people were paying attention. But now, it's five years later, and everything is almost back to normal. But we cannot forget what happened," said Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones.

What's next:

The three men convicted in his death have since requested a new trial.

Ahmaud Arbery (Family photo)

What you can do:

You can learn more about the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation and its fundraisers on its website.

SEE ALSO:

• Ahmaud Arbery murder 5 years later: Atlanta runners gather in his memory
• Trial over for former Georgia prosecutor in Ahmaud Arberry case
• Georgia men who killed Ahmaud Arbery asking court for new trial
• Runners preparing for 2nd annual Run with Maud in Atlanta
• Ahmaud Arbery's killers asking court to overturn hate crime convictions