Back in 2021, a precious eight-year-old little girl lost her life after going to a high school football game with family members in Sharon Hill, PA. Some gunshots went off, and police on the scene made a horrible mistake, shooting into an area where little Fanta Bility was sitting or standing. It was a tragic accident that took the life of a child who had so much hope, promise, and life yet to live. That devastating accident is something that Fanta Bility’s family will never forget.
The amazing thing is that rather than become bitter or deeply depressed, rather than shut down and get angry with the world, Fanta Bility’s family has drawn even closer together, and they founded the Fanta Bility Foundation in her memory. Fanta’s 12th birthday would have been on January 15, 2025, had she lived. Her family chose that date to celebrate her memory in a very special way.
The very good news is that Fanta’s family isn’t standing alone.
The Sharon Hill Borough Council, in partnership with the Fanta Bility Foundation, hosted a special Naming and Dedication Ceremony in celebration of what would have been Fanta Bility’s 12th birthday. The ceremony took place at Sharon Hill Park, located at 116 Clifton Avenue, Sharon Hill, PA 19079, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
This heartfelt event honored the life and legacy of Fanta Bility, who tragically lost her life in 2021 as a result of gunfire during a police-involved incident after a high school football game. Instead of allowing their grief to define them, Fanta’s family, through the Fanta Bility Foundation, has dedicated themselves to positive community action in memory of their beloved daughter and sister.
The ceremony included the official naming of the playground at Sharon Hill Memorial Park to Fanta Bility Park, a space where Fanta once played and where her spirit of joy, kindness, and service to others will continue to inspire future generations. The event featured remarks from Tenneh Kromah, Fanta’s mother and co-founder of the Fanta Bility Foundation; Siddiq Kamara, President and co-founder of the Fanta Bility Foundation; Tanya Allen, President of Sharon Hill Borough Council, PA State Senator Anthony Williams and several other people including some of Fanta’s other family members.
The dedication ceremony also included the unveiling of a plaque and special moments to reflect on Fanta’s legacy.
PA State Senator Anthony Williams stated, “I’m not going to be wrapped in grief today. We’re not going to be wrapped in sadness. I say that because Fanta’s family is amazing. They have displayed dignity, grace, and perseverance, and most of all they’ve continued to give us the light of Fanta. We’re going to be wrapped in the glory of knowing that a soul was here for a short period of time, who, in her short period of time, brought us together as a community to represent what we all should represent. That’s equality, inclusion, dignity, and justice. That young child did all of that in her lifetime. Because of what happened to Fanta, the work of her family since her passing, and our work in Harrisburg, we’ve got a law in PA about training for police officers in this town and across the Commonwealth changed. For those who wanted to look past this tragedy as an accident, we made sure, Delaware County Black Caucus, members of this delegation who are here today, we made sure this situation would not get swept under the rug.”
Dawn Chavous, President of Chavous Consulting and spokesperson for the Fanta Bility Foundation, commented, “Today, we stand united as a Community, a Borough, a family, and a city to remember and honor the life of Fanta Bility. Her tragic loss is still one that weighs heavily on our hearts. But today, is about coming together in love, remembrance, and hope. On what would have been Fanta’s 12th birthday, we gather to honor the impact she continues to have on us all. This day is a reminder of the vibrant young girl she was, full of life, promise, and a love for others. While she is no longer with us physically, Fanta’s spirit lives on in each of us in the community, which continues to honor her memory. Naming this playground after her ensures that Fanta’s legacy will endure for generations to come.”
The Fanta Bility Foundation was established in the wake of Fanta’s untimely passing to honor her memory by supporting public service initiatives that benefit the community. Each year, the foundation hosts a series of events focused on giving back, reflecting Fanta’s own character, even at a young age. The naming of the playground is a way to ensure that Fanta’s memory continues to live on in a place she loves, where children and families can gather, play, and grow.
The ceremony was especially meaningful as it coincided with the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both Fanta and Dr. King shared a commitment to helping others and making the world a better place.
Dr. King’s legacy of service aligns with the mission of the Fanta Bility Foundation, and it serves as a fitting tribute to Fanta’s own spirit of kindness and community engagement.
To learn more about the Fanta Bility Foundation, check out their website: FantaBilityFoundation.org.
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