Earlier this month, State College Mayor Ezra Nanes declared March 20 “A Day of Unity Remembering Osaze Osagie” within the borough.

Osaze Osagie was a Black State College resident who was fatally shot three years ago by State College police while completing a mental health check. This week, State College’s 3/20 Coalition hosted a variety of events to honor the life of Osagie and educated the community about the Black Lives Matter movement, bias in the U.S. education system, and more.

“Osaze Osagie was a beloved son of State College, and his family a mirror of each of our families, held together by the bonds of love and faith and commitment, through times of joy and times of challenge,” the proclamation reads.

The proclamation acknowledged that Osagie suffered from mental illness and the duty of the community to ensure that those afflicted receive the help that they need.

“Osaze Osagie’s name reminds us that far too many black families must bury their loved ones because of our society’s failings,” Nanes wrote. “We ask ourselves — Can we open our hearts just a little bit wider, to think of the things that we can improve in our society and in ourselves?”

Nanes also acknowledged the contributions of local governments, civic groups, and community members for their efforts and initiatives toward greater “inclusion, justice, equity, fairness, and support.”

“I, Mayor Ezra Nanes, call on all members of government and the people of State College to recognize March 20, 2022, as a Day of Unity, Remembering Osaze Osagie and to pledge ourselves to continue the work together in the spirit of kindness, compassion, empathy, respect, and unity,” the proclamation reads.

A Day of Unity Remembering Osaze Osagie was officially signed on March 7.