• operations@amadoudiallofoundation.org

Our Mission

The Amadou Diallo Foundation's mission is to advocate for racial equity and promote education, particularly for students of African descent.

NOTE: The ADF is open to all, including all racial groups. Scholarships are awarded through a selection process involving the ADF and its partners.

 ADVOCATE


Advocate for racial equity and police accountability

 EDUCATE


Promote scholarship, leadership, and workforce development

 EMPOWER


Empower youths, boys & girls, and women; as change agents and leaders


...

Our Vision

The Amadou Diallo Foundation works to achieve its mission of promoting racial equality by implementing education programs designed to identify, nurture, and support promising students—especially those of African descent—who are transitioning from high school to college. Through our scholarships, training programs, and global mentorship networks, we empower our students so that they can complete their degrees, build careers, and become conscientious leaders in their communities. Our vision is to end racial inequities, promote education, and connect people, particularly of African descent.

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About the Foundation

The Amadou Diallo Foundation

Our Past

Following the tragic events of February 4, 1999, when an act of police brutality robbed 23-year-old Amadou Diallo of his life and an ambitious future, the Amadou Diallo Foundation was created in 2001 as a mother’s commitment to granting her son’s last wishes—”Mom, I’m going to college.” The ADF was founded to promote Amadou’s legacy by transforming tragedy into opportunities for young people. The ADF helps students pursue their dreams of achieving a college education and developing marketable skills so that they may contribute as valuable members of their communities—an opportunity that Amadou was denied.

Our Present

Over the last two decades, the ADF has identified and supported dozens of students in the United States through our memorial scholarships. The ADF hosts community events that bring activists, academics, and policy makers together to raise awareness about topics like democracy, police brutality and white supremacy. Across the Atlantic, in West Africa, the ADF continues to run the ADF Computer Center in Conakry, Guinea, where students learn how to code and leverage digital technology to build careers deserving of their God-given talents and newfound skills.

Our Future

Moving into 2022 and beyond, the ADF will continue to meet the growing needs of our current and prospective scholars. New initiatives like our leadership training program and our global mentorship network will bridge the divide between young people in Africa and those in the African Diaspora as they strive to transform this world for the betterment of all. We want them to succeed—and we hope that you do, too.

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Kadiatou Diallo

A Mother’s Message

I was thrilled to hear the excitement in my son’s voice when he called me January 31st, 1999, from New York City. “I’m so happy right now, Mom! I am going to do it.” “Do what?” I asked from my home in Guinea. “Enroll in College,” he enthusiastically replied.


I asked him if he needed my help, and he said, “No, I only need your prayers.”


That was the last phone call I had with my son. Four days later, February 4th, 1999, my world as I knew it was forever changed, and so was my role as a mother. I was thrust into a new role, one that I could have never imagined, but am fully committed to – ensuring the legacy of my son and speaking out against the injustices that resulted in his death.

The Amadou Diallo Foundation Scholarship Program was established in honor of Amadou’s academic dreams. In the spirit of Amadou, the foundation has, thus far, proudly given away scholarships to students who have been achieving college degrees, excellent careers and accolades. Amadou will always have my prayers, as he requested. And part of that prayer now is to support other eager students in realizing their academic dreams. While Amadou’s dreams may never be realized, through this scholarship program, and with your generous support, others' dreams will be.

With profound gratitude,
Kadiatou Diallo


My Heart Will Cross This Ocean: My Story, My Son, Amadou by Kadiatou Diallo
Descended from West African kings and healers, raised in the turbulence of Guinea in the 1960s, Kadiatou Diallo was married off at the age of thirteen and bore her first child when she was sixteen.

Twenty-three years later, that child—a gentle, innocent young man named Amadou Diallo—was gunned down without cause on the streets of New York City. Now Kadi Diallo tells the astonishing, inspiring story of her life, her loss, and the defiant strength she has always found within.

Click Here For The Journey
our team

Board of Directors

CLICK HERE FOR: An Honored Letter from former ADF Board Member, the late Mayor David Dinkins
Kadiatou Diallo

Kadiatou Diallo

President & Founder

Laura Diallo-Brown

Laura Diallo-Brown

Board Member

Graham Weatherspoon

Graham Weatherspoon

Board Member

Linda Merians

Linda Merians

Board Member

Amadou Diallo

Amadou Diallo

Board Member

our bios

  • Kadiatou Diallo
  • Laura Diallo-Brown
  • Graham Weatherspoon
  • Linda Merians
  • Amadou Diallo

Kadiatou Diallo is the Founder of the Amadou Diallo Foundation. She is an author, social activist and public speaker. But first and foremost, she is a mother.

It was her role as mother that captivated the heart of America and thrust her into the social justice spotlight when her 23-year-old son Amadou Diallo—an innocent, accomplished, productive, and beloved young man returning to his residence from work—was wrongfully killed by four New York City Police officers on February 4th, 1999. People from New York City and the rest of the world stood up for a grieving mother who showed up fiercely, gracefully and inspirationally in her quest for justice.

She founded The Amadou Diallo Foundation to promote racial healing and cross-cultural understanding; seek to improve police-community relations; and award academic scholarships. Mrs Diallo works extensively with community leaders to bring about change. As a member of the Justice Committee (JC), Kadiatou Diallo unites with families who have lost loved ones to the NYPD to help lead NYC's movement for an end to police violence. The families in JC have provided leadership for numerous victorious campaigns (Communities United for Police Reform) ---- including winning a Special Prosecutor Executive Order in 2015 and passage of legislation to repeal the "Police Secrecy Law" (50s) and legislation to codify a special prosecutor for police killings in 2020. Mrs Diallo has become a symbol of the spirit seeking a society free of police brutality and racial profiling in the United States.

She also understands the importance of education, much like her late son. The ADF Memorial Scholarship Program is geared toward helping students accomplish their dreams. Over the last 2 decades, she has worked with CUNY (the public university system of New York City) in fostering wonderful contributors to our society. Beyond her passion for the youth in New York City, she has built 2 schools in Guinea (West Africa) and partners with Bakeli, a Senegalese IT program, to provide skills development to the youth.

Mrs. Diallo has previously lived in Africa and in Asia. She now divides her time primarily between New York and the Washington DC Region. She lectures throughout the United States for causes that are fundamental to a democratic society. She is also a mother of three additional children who share her passion for goodwill. Mrs Diallo knows there is much work to be done and has made it her life’s calling. Poised and eloquent, she is determined to see that the death of her eldest child was not in vain.

Book
  • “My Heart Will Cross This Ocean“ My Story My Son Amadou
Documentary Films
  • “Trial by Media, 41 shots” - (2020; Netflix)
  • “Protect, serve and care” - (2018; Noube Productions) - Award winning film
  • “Death of Two Sons” - (2006; Micah Schaffer) - Tells the story of Amadou and that of Jesse Thyne, an American Peace Corps Volunteer who lived with Amadou’s family in his home village in Guinea. Jesse died in Guinea, less than a year after Amadou’s death. This film explores the political, personal, and spiritual implications of their lives and deaths.
  • “Every Mother’s Son” - (2004; Kelly Anderson & Tami Gold) - The film covers mothers from three different ethnicities and shows the world that police brutality is a human rights issue

Laura Diallo-Brown is Amadou Diallo's Sister, an elected Board Member of the Amadou Diallo Foundation. She’s also a mother of three 15 years old triplet boys. Laura has been working in the hospitality industry for over 12 years on both the supplier and planner sides of the business. Her unique background both on the supplier and planner side gives her a broad knowledge of industry demands. Laura has succeeded in managing events of all sizes from small and large groups to business travel. She’s focused on delivering exceptional value with her contract negotiations skills and ability to problem solve. Prior to joining the American Express Global Business Travel team, Laura was a Regional Area Director, responsible for selling a portfolio of 20 hotels throughout the Washington DC Market representing some of the industry’s largest and most successful brands, such as Starwood, Hilton and Marriott. She brings her years of experience along with her expertise to assist clients with meeting sourcing and contracting globally. Laura has always been focused on delivering exceptional value for her clients with her contract negotiation skills and ability to problem solve, while partnering closely with the meeting stakeholders to understand their needs and provide value to them. Her attention to detail, drive and work ethic, has earned her many praises from the clients. Laura’s hard work and dedication has contributed to the growth and success of her career at American Express Global Business Travel. Over the past few years, Laura has quickly established herself as a valuable member of the American Express Meetings & Events team and has been an integral part member working on key accounts such as Disney, ESPN & CBS which has earned her has earned her rave reviews for her service. Since the tragic death of her late brother in 1999, Laura has been an advocate for racial justice. She helps bring awareness of racial injustice issues that still exist today since the passing of her brother. Laura’s personal mission is to uphold her brother’s legacy by inspiring the young generation of dreamers to achieve his dream of going to College. She contributes to the Amadou Diallo Foundation’s events and forums to further the dialogue and create new initiatives to help restore trust in our broken system. Laura never imagined losing a person so near and dear to her heart. She always thought of her brother as her protector, her confident, her advisor but mostly her best friend! Amadou always seemed to have the right words to say and the right wisdom to share solicited or unsolicited. It was the brotherly love that was purely unconditional. As a mother of 3 young boys, Laura recognizes the issues that face our communities are greater than ever. She works tireless alongside her mother, Kadiatou Diallo to keep raising awareness by inspiring positive change and contributing to the cause.

Graham Weatherspoon is retired from the N.Y.P.D. and also served with the N.Y.C. Transit Police Department Detective Bureau's Major Case Unit. (1974-1995) Graham is a certified investigator with N.Y.P.D., the State of New York and the F.B.I. His investigations have led to the arrest and convictions of police officers, as well as civilians.

As a founding member of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care he has served as the Director of Public Relations and Political Affairs. 100 Blacks assisted families and individuals victimized by police brutality. He has advised the New York City Council and the Conference of New York State Supreme Court Judges, on police procedures and conduct.

He has lectured at numerous Colleges, Universities and Schools of Law, in New York, Connecticuit and Washington D. C., concerning matters of police misconduct and procedures.

Linda Merians joined Stella and Charles Guttman Community College (City University of New York) as Chief of Staff in September 2013. She retired from that position in November 2021.

An English professor by training, she specialized in eighteenth-century British Literature, and taught a wide variety of courses in her field and also in other disciplines, among them South African Literature, Women’s Studies, Shakespeare, and Composition. She was proud to serve on the faculties of Bucknell University and La Salle University from 1984-2000. Since 2000, she has worked in higher education administration at Stony Brook University, the CUNY Graduate Center, and Guttman Community College (CUNY). She is proud to be a New Yorker, and she is passionate about the positive role public higher education can play in the struggle for access, equity, and justice.

Amadou Diallo, who shares the same first and last name as the late Diallo, is an electrical engineer by trade.

In addition to his long-term experience in the electrical-engineering field, Amadou has earned recognition for his extraordinary drive to serve the community through charitable activities.

He led fundraising events to distribute food to COVID-19 victims.

He takes special pride in providing help or guidance to the community, especially when it comes to education.

He has led workshops and meetings to help the community apply to New York Department of Education specialized high schools. He has previously been part of the executive members of GUICA NY-NJ-CT (Guinean Community of America Association) from 2018 to 2021. As the secretary of education of the organization, Amadou initiated a spelling-bee competition which has proved beneficial in helping students from the Guinean community participate in the national community.

When he was a student at Bronx Community College (New York), he lent his time to ADF ---- helping students deserving of scholarships.

Amadou is a founding member of the organization of immigrants from his hometown. He helped open the only library equipped with a computer lab in his hometown, Mamou (Republic of Guinea).