Syracuse, N.Y. — Rasheada Caldwell held this weekend her annual “Let me be great #44″ event where she brings together community members to honor her slain son’s memory and inspire local kids.
More than 300 people gathered Saturday morning in the Le Moyne College gymnasium for a three-on-three basketball tournament, food and a message to the kids.
“I remind the kids about who Rasheed is, but also about who they are,” Caldwell said. “I try to just inspire them and make sure they realize that they are great too.”
The event’s name comes from something her son, when he was young, would sometimes say to remind her to be patient with him. “Let me be great,” he’d say. His mom once explained it was his way of saying: Trust me. I’ll be the best me I can be.
No. 44 was her son’s number in high school where played basketball and football.
A basketball team at ‘Let me be great’ #44 event held at Le Moyne College on June 7.James Blackmon
All the kids at the event were put on basketball teams and given coaches, Caldwell said. They also got a backpack, a ball and a T-shirt.
Beyond that, she spoke with them about life, building friendships and believing in themselves.
Caldwell provided them with free food and ice cream. Instead of giving the winners trophies this year, they won Beats headphones.
“My highlight is to watch the kids smile, to eat ice cream and go back five or six more times for more because they can,” she said.
Many of the team’s coaches who volunteer were close friends with Rasheed and come back every year to support Caldwell and the event, she said.
Caldwell, who is an at large Syracuse common councilor, started the event after her son, Rasheed Baker, 21, was fatally shot in June 2017 near the family’s home on Barnes Avenue in the Valley neighborhood.
Police have determined he was shot in the car. He made his way to the front porch, where he was discovered by Caldwell, she said.
The homicide remains unsolved. Police told Caldwell that they are still actively looking for a suspect in the shooting but have no new information.
Rasheada Calwell and the photos of her son, Rasheed Baker, who was killed June 5, 2017. Dennis Nett, dnett@syracuse.com SYRSYR
Caldwell described her son as someone who loved people. She wants violence and hate to stop.
“If we can continue to give our children and our community the opportunity to come together and show love, maybe, you know, it’ll stop, right?” she said. “It’ll change minds. I know this is something Rasheed would want.”
In the years to come, Caldwell wants more community members to come out. She also hopes to bring in famous speakers like NBA stars or former college stars from the area who can serve as an idol for the kids in the tournament.
More than anything, Caldwell said she wants the kids to keep being inspired.
“It’s like, OK, my baby’s gone, but I know I got things to do,” Caldwell said. “I know I have to keep pushing and keep helping other kids.”
A banner in memory of Rasheed Baker at the ‘Let me be great’ #44 event on June 7.James Blackmon
Staff writer Greta Stuckey covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at gstuckey@syracuse.com.
