Cynthia Graham Hurd Foundation honors her legacy a decade after the Mother Emanuel tragedy

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) June 17th, 2025, will mark 10 years since the racially motivated shooting at Mother Emanuel in downtown Charleston, that took 9 people’s lives.

Thursday night, an event was held by a foundation dedicated to one of the victims, Cynthia Graham Hurd, who died that day.

“Do the work keep the faith,” said Cynthia’s brother, Malcolm Graham, when asked what her message would be today.

Thursday’s national town hall meeting was called ‘What’s the Way Forward: 10 years after Charleston.’

“We come to celebrate the life and legacy of my sister, Cynthia. The impact she made on the Charleston community as a librarian. The love that she had for this community and our family and all the work she did when she was alive.” said Malcolm Graham.

The event started with the band “A sign of the times” with guest artist Toni Tupponce. After the service CNN political commentator and former state representative Bakari Sellers moderated a panel of charleston community leaders.

The panel was made up of Cynthia’s brother Malcolm Graham, President of the International African American Museum Tonya Mathews, Charleston County Chairman Kylon Middleton, and President of SC Association for Community Economic Development Bernie Mazyck.

The conversation focused on how to move forward in racial justice in the Charleston community.

“We’ve got to get in there and we’ve got to change systems. Systems that create Dylan Roof. Systems create disparities. And there’s enough to go around for everybody.” said Cynthia’s brother, Melvin Graham.

Cynthia’s brother Melvin says the discussion is a reminder of the work to do to make sure this tragedy never happens again.

“It’s doing the work. Malcolm has a saying tears and sweat are both salty: one gets you pity the other gets you results. We want to get results. We’re going to accept what happen, that what we’ve done,” said Melvin Graham. “Move forward and do the work. Try to let people know how much we appreciate them, and we set the tone for an entire nation for how to handle a tragedy: by coming together.”

Malcolm Graham says you can honor Cynthia’s legacy by reading a book, saying a prayer and getting civically engaged.