Today we’d like to introduce you to Deldras Sewell.
Hi Deldras , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Deldras Sewell, founder of Forever 17, a nonprofit organization created in loving memory of my son, Kamel Seveion Sewell.
My son went to work on his day off and never returned home.
Kamel was only 17 years old, living his best life. He wasn’t in the streets—he was working hard during Christmas break, putting in 40-hour weeks to pay for the car he had worked so hard to buy. Just seven days before the accident, he proudly purchased his first vehicle. The day he died, I had just finished paying his taxes and walked out of the DMV after getting his license plate. I texted him to let him know everything was taken care of. I never imagined that would be one of the last messages I would send him.
Kamel was tragically killed in a workplace accident at Frankie’s Fun Park when the go-kart he was operating collided with an industrial forklift. To this day, I still have questions about how such a tragedy could happen at a place where children come to have fun and where so many young people work.
My life was shattered.
Kamel touched everyone he met—his family, friends, classmates, coworkers, teachers, and even guests who visited Frankie’s. His kindness, compassion, and warm spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
To honor his life and keep his legacy alive, I founded Forever 17.
Our mission is to support youth, strengthen our community, and help families facing difficult times. Through Forever 17, we provide scholarships, tutoring assistance, academic support, community outreach, and help families with various needs. We also hope to provide casket swags for young loved ones who have passed away, because no family should have to walk through that pain alone.
The love our community showed us after Kamel’s passing has been overwhelming. Mechanics repaired his car at no cost. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers organized a meal train, donated money, prayed for us, and carried us through one of the darkest times of our lives. I am forever grateful for every act of kindness shown to my family.
Unfortunately, our pain did not end there.
After Kamel’s death, EMS personnel took photographs of my son and shared them with others, including a firefighter who was not even on the scene. Those images eventually surfaced online and were posted on Facebook. As a grieving mother, having to endure that was devastating. The legal battle that followed has been exhausting, and when the judge dismissed our case against the EMS workers, it felt like another heartbreaking loss.
Every day, I continue to grieve. What keeps me going are the pictures, videos, and memories of my son. His teachers and classmates have shared precious moments with me that remind me of the incredible young man he was.
Forever 17 has accomplished so much in just one year, but we cannot continue this mission alone. We need the support of our community to keep helping others in Kamel’s name.
If you would like to support our mission, please visit www.forever-17.com� and click the Donate button. Forever 17 is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.
My son bought himself the greatest Christmas gift—a car he had worked so hard to earn—but he never got the chance to drive it.
My heart still bleeds every day, but I continue to praise God in the midst of it all. I was blessed with the most loving son. Kamel loved everyone, regardless of their background, and he treated every person with kindness and respect.
That is the legacy I will continue to carry forward.
Forever 17—because Kamel Seveion Sewell’s love, kindness, and light will never be forgotten.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Struggling to be around people who know what happened. I struggle to move off my bed. I struggle with house chores. I seen to just not give a care. My memory is bad. I don’t care about my health days I wish I would go to days I think of offing myself
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I was already on Christmas shut down my job gave me few months off no pay. I return but only worked less than a week asked for another month off which they gave went back and didn’t work a full 2 weeks I couldn’t do It I quit
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Haven’t taken any risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.forever-17.com
