Written By: Jy’Quan Stewart

My sister, Josefina Catherine Cunningham known to our family as Josie was a bright three-year-old African American girl whose life was taken far too soon. On July 7, 2023, she was murdered by Robert Fisher. After he was sentenced, Fisher died at Elmira Correctional Facility only two weeks into serving his time.

Although the criminal case has now closed, the work of remembering Josie is far from over. I am determined to carry her story beyond the national attention it previously received and to place it firmly in the international historical record. My goal is simple and lasting: that generations to come will know her name and understand the profound loss of a child who deserved a full life.

I am currently in the process of registering an international non-governmental organization based in Africa. Together with my business partners there, we are planning to establish a physical monument on the continent dedicated to Josie’s memory.

Beyond the monument, our larger vision is to create hospitals and community centers that will bear her name. Through these institutions, we hope to transform a personal tragedy into something that serves communities and keeps her spirit present in tangible ways.

At the same time, I am writing a comprehensive archival book that documents the entire case. This book is intended for inclusion in the National African American History Archive, ensuring that the full record of what happened and of who Josie was becomes a permanent part of our collective history.

“Seeing the pictures of Josie’s face after what the defendant did to her was mortifying,” Edwards stated. 

These efforts are driven by love and by a refusal to let her story fade. Josie was more than a headline or a court case. She was my little sister, and I am committed to making certain that her memory endures.

“Those images will be ingrained into the minds forever for those who saw them.” as Edward continued.