Long Live King Kobe: Following the Murder of Tyler Kobe Nichols

On the eve of Christmas Eve, Tyler Kobe Nichols collapsed onto the sidewalk with three knife wounds in the front of his torso and one in the back. His death soon followed, and with it, the twenty-one-year-old joined the ranks of young people killed by senseless violence in America. Long Live King Kobe is a collaboration between photographer Spencer Ostrander and author Paul Auster that invites us to join the Nichols/Chambers family in their intimate grief in the weeks that followed Tyler's death. The family's response to his murder, including their creation of a foundation dedicated to counteracting street violence with love, presents their tragedy as a means for our society to grow. Proceeds from this book will benefit the foundation.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: ZE Books

On the eve of Christmas Eve, a tragic incident unfolded in New York City, leaving a community in shock and mourning. Tyler Kobe Nichols, a twenty-one-year-old young man, collapsed onto the sidewalk, suffering from three knife wounds in the front of his torso and one in the back. Tragically, his death soon followed, adding to the alarming count of young people lost to senseless violence in America.

Tyler's death received minimal coverage in the New York Daily News, with just two paragraphs dedicated to his story. However, what sets this tragedy apart is the untold story that unfolds in the aftermath of such profound loss. As Tyler's mother, Sherma Chambers, keenly observes, this story is generational, with no clear end in sight. It is a narrative that touches the lives of countless individuals and families, resonating deeply across generations.

Long Live King Kobe, a collaborative project initiated by photographer Spencer Ostrander and writer Paul Auster, began with a mistake. Ostrander had arrived at Tyler's funeral, believing he was a victim of gun violence, intending to document his life as part of a project focused on gun victims. Instead, he met Sherma Chambers, and a week later, a partnership was formed, bringing together two strangers who would join the Nichols/Chambers family in their sorrow.

The generosity of the entire Nichols/Chambers family allowed Long Live King Kobe to unfold. Through their intimate grief and their response to Tyler's murder, the family presented their tragedy as a means for our society to grow and learn from their experience. They created the Long Live King Kobe Foundation, dedicated to counteracting street violence with love and compassion. The foundation's mission is to support nonviolence initiatives and provide resources to keep youth safe.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be directed towards the Long Live King Kobe Foundation, furthering its noble cause. It is a testament to the power of community and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Long Live King Kobe offers a privileged journey into the depths of grief and the resilience of the human spirit. It sheds light on the devastating impact of violence on individuals and communities, and provides a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. The Long Live King Kobe Foundation's initiatives and the support of the community can help prevent future tragedies and create a safer world for all.

In conclusion, the tragic death of Tyler Kobe Nichols serves as a reminder of the urgent need for action to address the epidemic of violence in our society. The story of his family's response and the creation of the Long Live King Kobe Foundation offers a powerful example of how communities can come together to heal and prevent future tragedies. Let us continue to support initiatives that promote peace, compassion, and understanding, and work towards a world where every young person has the opportunity to live a life free from fear and harm.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 214 x 261 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781736309322