The significance of the Fort Independence Houses in Kingsbridge Heights looms large for the family of Angellyh Yambo. It was the 18th floor, where Yambo went through many firsts. It’s where many of her family members still live. In fact, 3340 Bailey Ave. was Yambo’s most used password for her social media accounts, her mother Yanely Henriquez told the Bronx Times.
And now, the NYCHA complex will forever be located on Angellyh Marieh Yambo Way, a fitting tribute to the late 16 year old.
It’s been a year since the Yambo-Henriquez family lost their princess to a stray bullet fired from 17-year-old Jeremiah Ryan’s illegal ghost gun just blocks away from the University Prep Charter High School she attended in the South Bronx.
In front of the Kingsbridge community that wore the many symbols that defined Yambo’s all-too-brief life — including the colors pink and purple and various butterfly icons and symbols — Saturday’s street co-naming ceremony, scheduled on the first anniversary of Yambo’s death, was filled with bittersweet intentionality.
“I didn’t want her to be remembered on that spot (she died). I want her to be remembered where she was born and raised,” said Henriquez. “Our family still lives here. She was always around this block. It’s a sad, bittersweet honor, but an honor to see her name on that sign.”
The last 365 days have been a rollercoaster for Yambo’s parents, Henriquez and her father, Manuel Yambo, with a conflicting mixture of good and bad days.
Manuel Yambo told the Times he often thinks about his daughter’s humor — a trait she adopted from him — and her ability to turn anything into a joke.
“It means a lot to know I could wake up every morning when I’m … going to work and see her name here,” he said. “I wish we didn’t have to go through all of that for this to happen. It’s bittersweet. She was everything to me.”
Henriquez also misses her daughter’s humor, her 1000-watt smile and the little…
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