Walk Commemorates Domestic Violence Victim
Two-Mile March Aims to Raise Money for Children of Woman Stabbed to Death in April

By Clarence Williams
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 28, 2007

Marshall Cunningham grinned with pride as he walked through Southeast Washington yesterday with his 2-year-old grandson, Jaylin, on his shoulders.

But the stroll filled Cunningham with mixed emotions, as he walked to raise awareness of domestic violence in memory of his daughter, Nakia, 24, who was slain by the father of her children, Jaylin and his 7-year-old sister, Zanayah. "We've got to show some unity," Cunningham said. "We're not going to stand for this foolishness."

After years of threats, James H. Campbell fatally stabbed Nakia Cunningham on April 30 in her Southeast Washington apartment, dragged her into the bedroom closet and covered the body with clothes. He killed himself with a bullet to the head.

Yesterday's leisurely two-mile walk was organized by one of the advisory neighborhood commissions in Ward 8 and other activists. They had hoped for a bigger turnout than the 50 walkers who showed up, including D.C. police officials and D.C. Council members Carol Schwartz (R-At Large) and Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large).

"We've walked in protest, but this is the first walk for a cause and to raise money," said Sandra Seegars, an ANC member.

Organizers hoped to raise more than $1,000 for Nakia Cunningham's children through the walkathon.

Nakia Cunningham's aunt, Nicole Smith, and her husband, Jesse, were given temporary custody of the children May 7. Since then, the couple said, they have had a hard time navigating the social services systems in Maryland, where they live, and in the District, while seeking financial help.

The children began receiving a total of about $1,000 a month in Social Security benefits, but because their mother had worked only a few years, those payments will end in 18 months, Nicole Smith said. Police and family members believe Zanayah witnessed her mother's slaying. She turns away from any images of her father, shielding her eyes from home movies or using her hand to block him out of family snapshots.

"It's getting harder for them. Zanayah has therapy one day a week, but she probably needs three or four days," Smith said.

The District government helped pay for Cunningham's funeral and for counseling for Zanayah. LaShon Seastrunk, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, said the family is eligible for more benefits.

Officials of the Maryland Department of Human Resources said they could not comment on specific cases. However, spokesman Norris West said the agency encourages people "to err on the side of applying" for benefits, because they could qualify for help.

Nicole Smith said yesterday that she has yet to receive guidance from any agency on how to seek assistance and hopes that help will come soon.

"It's like chasing my tail," she said. "These kids just don't get a break at all."