Alexis Wilson’s legacy continues to grow.
At the fourth annual butterfly release on July 27 to honor her memory, John Amico, owner of John Amico School of Hair Design, which has locations in Niles and Oak Forest, announced a $20,000 contribution to the Forever Lexi Foundation to fund scholarships to attend cosmetology school.
Wilson was 19 when she was killed on July 27, 2021, by Dolton police officers during an encounter at Baba’s Famous Steak and Lemonade, 685 Sibley Boulevard, just a few weeks before she was planning to start attending Amico’s school.
The butterfly release event is always a bittersweet time for her friends and family, who gather at Irwin Park to share fond memories and sometimes tears, but Amico’s announcement was one moment that brought out cheers.
Wilson would have been following in the footsteps of her aunt, Cashawn Morris, who described Amico as her mentor when she introduced him at the butterfly release.
Amico said he learned about Alexis’ death after talking with Morris and with Cara Wilson, Alexis’ mother.
“It is heartbreaking. In the last seven years, I’ve lost seven students to random violence and other types of violence,” Amico said.
He said the scholarship program would help people who want to provide care for others but might not be able to afford schooling to become cosmetologists.
Cara Wilson had another announcement to share at the event. She said a book is in the works that will be based on her family’s struggle to cope with loss.
“‘Butterfly is Her brother’ (is) about Lexi and Alonzo,” she said. Wilson has described Alexis’ relationship with Alonzo, her autistic younger brother, as very close. “It combines our tragedy with his autism, because we need to speak about what grief looks like when your child is autistic. It’s not the same.”
Alexis’ father, Alonzo Wilson Sr., served as master of ceremonies for the event. He called a number of friends and family members to the microphone to keep Alexis’ name alive by recalling stories about the times they had with her.
The event always includes a dance performance. This year, Demarcus Harris performed a mime dance.
For more information on the Forever Lexi Foundation, visit foreverlexifoundation.org.
