Jelani Day Foundation’s Third Annual All-White Gala in Broadview commemorates late Illinois State University graduate student discovered in river

BROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — Sunday marks the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day, whose body was later found in the Illinois River.

On Saturday, his mother continued her calls for justice in his case while shedding light on similar missing persons cases.

A fundraiser was held in his honor in Broadview.

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Jelani Day’s mother struggles to overcome her tears as she organizes the fundraiser, emphasizing that its purpose extends beyond her grief: raising awareness for missing persons cases while offering support to their devastated families.

Music bathed the smiles on the people wearing ivory tones who came together for a purpose, birthed from Carmen Bolden Day’s pain.

“I wish he was here,” Carmen expressed. “I wish I didn’t have to do this. I don’t like doing this. But I push myself to do it. I know he would expect nothing less from me.”

Family, friends and community leaders gathered in Broadview for the Jelani Day Foundation’s 3rd Annual All-White Gala.

The event commemorates the Illinois State University graduate student who went missing in August 2021. Jelani Day’s body was discovered nearly two weeks later in the Illinois River in Peru, Illinois.

The coroner said he drowned, but the manner of his death remains a mystery. That uncertainty created a mother’s mission.

“We’re wanting to provide that assistance, to share those resources that, along the way, I have gathered,” Carmen said.

She said that included raising awareness on missing Black and brown people, and the lack of attention their cases receive.

READ MORE | Jelani Day’s mother still determined to find out what happened to her son

With that in mind, the family gave attendees the first glimpse of a developing documentary titled, “Unheard: The Jelani Day Story.”

“Jelani’s never had any kind of, ever, any inclination that he wanted to harm himself,” his mother said in the documentary.

Although it has been four years since Day vanished, his mother is determined to keep his memory alive, and she continues to demand justice.

“Working with the foundation helps me. It helps me,” she said. “It reassures me that I’m doing something for Jelani. I couldn’t save him, but I can help save someone else.”