‘We Had to Turn Our Pain Into Purpose’: NC Mother Honors Son Killed at NC A&T Party
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Nearly a decade after her son was killed at an off-campus North Carolina A&T homecoming party, Alicia Campbell says she’s learned to live with the pain by turning it into purpose. Her son, Ahmad Campbell, was just 22 when he was gunned down alongside fellow student Alisia Diuedonne in October 2016.
A Mother’s Pain and a 3 a.m. Call
“It was the worst call a mother could get,” Alicia said. “My oldest son called me at 3 a.m. and said, ‘Mom, we gotta go to Greensboro.’ I said, ‘For what?’ He said, ‘Ahmad has been shot.’”
That night, during NC A&T’s “Greatest Homecoming on Earth” celebration, police say the students were caught in the crossfire of gunfire near Circle Drive, just off campus. Both Ahmad and Alisia were killed.
Two years later, Lawrence Baird was arrested and charged with their murders. “First of all, he shouldn’t have been out there with those kids,” Alicia said. “He should have been at home.”
From Grief to Giving
Ahmad’s death inspired his mother to create the Ahmad Campbell Foundation, a nonprofit that awards college scholarships to high school students across North Carolina. The foundation also funds community initiatives named after both Ahmad and Alisia.
“We had to turn our pain into purpose to keep our beautiful angels alive and well,” Alicia said.
She described Ahmad as shy but full of life, an athlete who loved his school and carried deep Aggie pride. “He was a junior, a proud Aggie,” she said with a smile. “I was surprised he went there because I went to Winston-Salem State.”
Carrying on Ahmad’s Legacy
Alicia said she and the Diuedonne family have become close, supporting one another through grief and remembrance. “We’ve been saying we’re gonna go to homecoming every year,” she said. “When it comes down to it, we just can’t do it. The pain, the hurt, it’s just too hard.”
Even after nine years, she says her message remains clear — stay aware and stay safe. “Always watch your back the best way you can,” she urged.
Her mission now is simple: to keep Ahmad’s name alive and help other families avoid the same heartbreak.
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