Bakari Henderson (22)
April 13, 1995 - July 7, 2017
Bakari Henderson is the beloved son of Phil and Jill Henderson and brother of P.J. and Jory. At 22, Bakari was murdered on the Greek island of Zakynthos while pursuing his dream of launching Bakari Luxury Sportswear, his clothing line, which he conceptualized as a young teenager. In his early years, Bakari overcame dyslexia, and went on to receive a full academic scholarship to the University of Arizona, where he graduated with a degree in Business Finance and Entrepreneurship from the Eller College of Management, less than 2 months prior to this tragedy. He had a singular focus: build a business empire and demonstrate what it means to live fully and fearlessly. On July 7, 2017, 22-year-old Bakari Henderson and some friends were on the Greek island of Zakynthos, finalizing plans to launch his clothing line. Planning a photoshoot in Greece, and then after in Spain. Surveillance cameras show a Serbian woman taking a selfie with Bakari and a friend. Investigators say another man began harassing them, asking the woman why she was talking to a Black man. Then he slapped Henderson. That led to a fight. The next video shows Henderson being chased by a pack of men who punch and kick him until he's lying motionless in the street. A short time later, he died. Henderson’s parents in November launched the clothing line, Bakari Luxury Sportswear, which according to its website is “geared toward active men and women pursuing a healthy mind, body, and soul lifestyle.”