Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton announced a $50,000 reward during a memorial service on Monday in Mississippi for information regarding the death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells.
Wells' body was discovered following a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island with a group of white friends.
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Sharpton joined the teenager's family at a local church to demand an independent investigation into the incident.
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The memorial service began with emotional tributes from Wells' parents, who remembered their son as a talented athlete and role model for his younger siblings.
"He had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed and valued," said Christine Wonsley, the teenager's mother.
She added that her son possessed a unique ability to elevate the confidence of others and foster a deep sense of belonging through his words.
During his eulogy, Sharpton criticized the initial handling of the case by local authorities and questioned the speed with which law enforcement ruled out criminal activity.
"There's too many unanswered questions," Sharpton said.
The civil rights leader connected the situation to historical racial violence in Mississippi, referencing past incidents to explain national scrutiny.
"The reason why a lot of people in the nation are looking at this Nolan situation is that we've looked at history in Mississippi," Sharpton said.
He emphasized that addressing the historical context is necessary before communities can heal.
Family attorney Ben Crump engaged the congregation to advocate for justice as the mother wept alongside her husband, Elmore Wonsley.
