01/12/2026
In a powerful new book, The Way Forward: Keeping the Faith and Doing the Work Amid Hatred and Violence, Charlotte City Councilmember Malcolm Graham reflects on the 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church tragedy that took the life of his sister, Cynthia Graham Hurd, and eight others. Marking the 10-year anniversary, Graham shares a deeply personal journey through grief, resilience, forgiveness, and faith.
Through honest storytelling, he honors Cynthia’s legacy of service and literacy, explores the complexity of healing in the face of racial violence, and challenges readers to pair faith with action. The book is both a tribute and a call to purpose—urging us to transform pain into meaningful work that builds safer, more compassionate communities.
To read more about Malcolm's journey in honoring his sister's life, check out the full article here: https://issuu.com/watchdog-ent./docs/pride_magazine_-_2026_january_february_men_s_iss/17