Lezley McSpadden On Memorializing Michael Brown In Beyoncé’s ‘Lemonade’

In this April 27, 2016, photo, Lezley McSpadden poses for a portrait in St. Louis. McSpadden was sitting in her car on a smoke break from her grocery store job on Aug. 9, 2014, when a friend told her someone had been shot near Canfield Apartments in Ferguson, Mo. After that her life crumbled learning her son, 18-year-old son Michael Brown, had been shot and killed by a police officer. McSpadden recounts what happened that fateful day two summers ago in her autobiography, “Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil,” set to be released Tuesday, May 10, 2016, and co-written by Lyah Beth LeFlore. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Lezley McSpadden is giving the world a deeper glimpse into her life since the death of her son Michael Brown.

McSpadden has openly mourned the tragic loss of her son since he was shot and killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014. His untimely death — and the controversial circumstances that led to it — are topics she has openly discussed on national television, at various conferences and now in a new memoir titled, Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, and Love of My Son Michael Brown, which released Tuesday.

She recently also shared her grievances during a special moment in the music video for Beyoncé’s song “Freedom,” which marked perhaps one of the most powerful scenes from the singer’s critically-acclaimed visual album, “Lemonade.” McSpadden’s touching tribute to her late son in the scene from the video shows her with tears in her eyes as she held a framed picture of her son. According to McSpadden, being featured in “Freedom” was a moment she’ll never forget.

“I felt special,” McSpadden told SiriusXM on Tuesday during an emotional interview. She also talked about how Beyoncé left a lasting impression on her.

“She had done some nice things for my son’s foundation so, at that point whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it… She’s a sweet person… really down to earth,” she added. “She treated us well, made sure we were comfortable. I tried to hold it together but, any time I’m talking about my son or looking at a picture I just think that he’s gone. I appreciate her for being bold enough to confront things and be sensitive at the same time.”

McSpadden has worked hard to advocate for a better relationship between black communities and law enforcement. She founded an organization called The Michael O.D. Brown We Love Our Sons And Daughters Foundation, which aims to bring about systemic change to justice, health, the environment and family. She also developed the organization’s first signature program “Rainbow of Mothers,” which was an idea sparked after she met Beyoncé’s mother at the “Rally 4 Peace” concert Prince held last year.

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Source: Black Voices | Lilly Workneh