When Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, lost her life on April 20 at the hands of Columbus officer Nicholas Reardon, many Black Americans became outraged due to what some consider to be excessive force and a failure to subdue the young suspect. Few people could feel Bryant’s family’s pain more than Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s mother.

Many will recall the tragic death of Taylor in March 2020, who was fatally shot during a late-night raid. While attending Bryant’s Columbus funeral on Friday, the grieving mother received a standing ovation for her support of Taylor’s family.

The funeral service featured powerful speeches and prayers from several different people, including the pastor of the church, Bishop Timothy Clark, as well as Jamal Bryant of The Real Housewives of Potomac fame. 

A senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bryant offered a short sermon, saying to the crowd “We’re gonna go and talk to God in this moment because in times like these we need a savior.”

Also in attendance was the mayor of Columbus, Andrew Ginther, and dozens of Bryant’s close friends and family. 

“Today the family is sad. The family is hurt. The family is angry. We look at a grieving mother and father who miss their daughter so much,” Bryant’s cousin, Don Bryant said during the service.

“We look at her brothers and sisters who don’t understand why Ma’Khia had to die. I look at every person in this church and say Ma’Khia did not have to die. She should be here.”

Related Post: Nicholas Reardon Identified as Officer Who Fatally Shot Ma’Khia Bryant in Columbus

Offering a powerful eulogy and speaking on the current state of police, Clark told the crowd “We’ll get Ma’Khia back when white officers don’t see Black skin as a threat to them. We’ll get Ma’Khia back when we learn how to de-escalate when we learn how to talk, when we learn how to communicate.”

Bryant’s mother, Paula Bryant, was given an honorary diploma from the Academy for Urban Scholars High School.

Following the funeral, she released a live butterfly outside of the church in her daughter’s honor.