‘We won’t forget’: How State College is remembering Osaze Osagie, 5 years after his death

Some called him their best friend. Others knew him as a son, a family member or simply a fellow church-goer. Many others knew him only in passing — or even not at all.

But to honor the life of Osaze Osagie, a 29-year-old Black man killed by State College police during a mental health crisis, they arrived one after another Tuesday. Five years after Osaze’s death, a never-ending stream of mini-vans, well-dressed leaders and residents in work clothes gathered at State College Access Church, not to mourn his death but to celebrate his life and help others.

The Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Fundraiser dinner was organized to fund an endowment that annually awards a $5,000 scholarship to a State High student. But Tuesday also served as a way to heal — and a way to reinforce that Osaze should be defined by more than than his life’s final hours.

“This is more about people getting to really see how this community can come together to heal,” Osaze’s mother Iyun said. “We feel very supported by a lot of people, by all walks of life, and we very much appreciate we can pull this together.”

Nearly $7,000 was raised Tuesday night via the $10 chicken alfredo and spaghetti and meatballs dinners, the raffles and the donations. But, even before this week, the endowment remained just over $105,000 — meaning it should be enough to provide annual $5,000 scholarships in perpetuity. Anything raised Tuesday was “gravy,” endowment committee chair Rich Bundy said, potentially allowing them to one day increase the scholarship amount.

Osaze’s impact has been far and wide-ranging the last five years. But, his parents said, this specific scholarship remains nearest to their hearts. It reminds them of their favorite memories of their son, when he dreamt of being a writer in high school and sometimes raked neighbors’ yards without asking. And it solidifies his legacy by allowing racially underrepresented students at State High, especially those who volunteer, to more easily afford college.

Two scholarships have already been awarded. Elana Laing, now a sophomore at Penn State, was the first recipient in 2022.

“The scholarship meant so much because, in the community, State College is a predominantly white area and, the tragedy that happened, it’s hard to say it wasn’t race-based,” Laing said. “So what’s beautiful is what came out of that tragedy was a scholarship that honors his legacy, which was service to the community, and also helps students of color get their chance at an education.”

Tuesday’s event was a mix of emotions, and some healing couldn’t be done without tears. But many others smiled, something Iyun made it a point to emphasize. Arts and crafts were made available to children and, to coax out a few giggles, a hired juggler performed near a popcorn machine.

The sanctuary of the church was filled with several tables that held varying photos and memories of Osaze. One space focused on his impact — outlining Penn State’s Osaze Osagie Memorial Lecture, which will feature the mother of Trayvon Martin next week; Penn State’s (separate) memorial scholarship; the protests and rallies, decrying overall police use of force, held in his name; etc. Another table shared his favorite books — the Bible and “Heaven: Close Encounters of the God Kind” — while posters and vignettes were scattered throughout.

“We won’t forget,” said Linda Wade, a family friend of the Osagies and a member on the endowment committee. “And it’s not just for us. It’s in his honor, but it’s also in support of (Osaze’s parents) Sylvester and Iyun. This was their son. They’re not going forget him, so they also need support as they’re going through this process.”

One of Osaze’s friends remembered his obsession with NASA. Others talked about his reputation as a “gentle giant.” Yum Yum Abdul, who still wears a blue “Remembering Osaze” wristband, even managed a grin while recalling his reputation at Opportunity Centre Clubhouse, a vocational program that supports those with mental illness.

“When fights would break out there, he was so tall and big, people would just listen,” Abdul said, clarifying he wouldn’t yell, just strike a firm tone. “He would just say, ‘Stop,’ and because he had so much respect, people just listened. Not even the staff could break these fights up, but he just needed to say, ‘Stop.’

“Since then, no one’s commanded that type of presence.”

Those who focus on Osaze’s final hours on March 20, 2019, know the script. Osaze, who was autistic and was diagnosed as having schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder, was acting “erratically” after he was believed to have stopped taking his medication. Police were dispatched to serve a mental health warrant, Osaze allegedly ran toward officers with a steak knife, and he was shot three times — once in the shoulder and twice in the back.

Many in and around Centre County don’t know more about Osaze than that. But those who who took part Tuesday remembered the boy who had a penchant for Bible trivia and served as a natural leader in the neighborhood, organizing groups and volunteering when he could.

Iyun said Tuesday the family is hoping to “move on” now. Five years is a long time, she said. And, although she’ll never forget her son, she doesn’t plan — at least not at this point — to help organize more fundraisers or similar events. That’s not to say there won’t be any in the future; it’s just that someone other than his parents will have to take that initiative.

Iyun credited the community and her church in helping the family heal. And, when asked if she had a message for the community, she immediately went to Scripture. If a seed falls on the ground and dies, she said, it bears more fruit.

“Something very tragic happened, something unexpected and shocking and traumatizing happened, but we believe in healing,” she said. “We believe we can still make something good out of something bad. Because this happened to our son, we want to do everything in our power to stop it from happening to other people.”

Those interesting in donating directly to Osaze’s Heart Community Service Scholarship can do so at centre-foundation.org/funds/osazes-heart.