Transforming Tragedy into a Purpose:

Losing my son, Marcus Gerard Mosley, has been a heartache that lingers and often feels insurmountable. The pain of his absence is a constant reminder of the love and life that was taken too soon. In this profound depth of sorrow, I have made the decision to transform my tragedy into a purpose—one that not only honors Marcus’s memory but also supports others who are walking a similar path.

From sorrow springs the strength to demand change. We are the voices of grieving mothers of homicide victims, and we will not be silenced.

No one understands the heartache of losing a child quite like we do.

A Mother’s Journey from Pain to Advocacy**

My name is Tina Sykes-Mosley, and I stand before you as the founder of Mothers Advocating for Real Change and Unwavering Support (M.A.R.C.U.S.) I share my story not only to honor my youngest son, Marcus Gerard Mosley, but also to shed light on the painful journey that so many of us endure after losing a child to violence.

On that chilling Tuesday evening, September 29, 2020, I was watching the presidential debate, absorbed in the words of the candidates, when my life was irrevocably shattered. The ringing phone shattered my moment of normalcy. It was my daughter, her voice trembling as she delivered the unthinkable news: Marcus had been shot. I felt my heart drop; the air was suddenly too thick to breathe. In those agonizing moments, I clung to hope, desperate for a different outcome, but soon after, another call came from my oldest son. With trembling words, he confirmed my worst fears: Marcus was dead.

In an instant, the world I knew—the laughter, the plans, the dreams—evaporated into a suffocating void. An enormous chasm opened in my chest, an unfathomable pain that felt too immense to endure. Marcus was just 28 years old, a son full of potential and life, taken from us far too soon by senseless violence. The autopsy report remains inconclusive, leaving unanswered questions about whether he was shot in the back or the chest. It’s a reminder of a tragic reality for many families, where the violent loss of a loved one leaves not only grief but a cloud of uncertainty and anger.

The feeling of isolation was overwhelming. I searched for others who understood this kind of loss, who could relate to the heartache of watching your child’s life taken away without reason. It was then that I realized the importance of creating a space for grieving mothers like me—a community where we can come together to share our sorrow, offer support, and advocate for change.

And so, Mothers Advocating for Real Change and Unwavering Support (M.A.R.C.U.S.) was born, a refuge for those grappling with similar tragedies. Through this nonprofit, we aim to empower mothers who have lost children to violence, providing them with the resources, support, and understanding necessary to navigate their grief. Together, we honor the memories of our beloved children, like Marcus, and transform our pain into resilience.

While my heart will forever bear the scar of losing Marcus, I find strength in the community we are building. I invite you to join us in this journey of healing, advocacy, and remembrance. Together, we can light a path toward hope and rebuild our lives, surrounded by those who truly understand our pain and our love for our lost children.