We are deeply saddened to share that Latanya Byrd, a remarkable advocate and mentor, passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, after a brief illness. Latanya was instrumental in the creation and expansion of the automated speed camera program on Roosevelt Boulevard, a co-founder of the Greater Philadelphia chapter of Families for Safe Streets, and a stalwart advocate for street safety. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is honored to have worked alongside her for so many years, and our hearts are with her family and friends. Please consider donating to a gofundme to support Latanya’s family during this time https://gofund.me/25b33d40.
Latanya speaking the PA Capitol in 2023 advocating for the expansion of the Boulevard speed camera program.
From left to right: Rich and Laura Fredricks, Latanya Byrd, and Suzanne Hagner at the 2023 Vision Zero Conference
Latanya became an activist in 2013 after her niece, Samara Banks, and her 3 young grand-nephews were killed crossing Roosevelt Boulevard on a nice July day by two drivers drag racing on the Boulevard. Not only did she become a regular in City Hall, Latanya spent years advocating in Harrisburg for the creation of an automated speed camera program on the Boulevard. She worked closely with former State Representative John Taylor and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to pass legislation creating a 5 year pilot in 2018. She also was able to rename the intersection where her family members were killed as “Banks Way.”
Additionally during this time, Latanya worked with three other families who had lost loved ones in traffic crashes to found the Greater Philadelphia chapter of Families for Safe Streets. Together they advocated for countless improvements to on-street infrastructure and traffic enforcement while building a community of families just like them.
“Latanya and I became confidential friends instantly out of tragedy. We understood that friendship isn’t about whom you have known the longest. It’s about who came & never left your side. Missing you dear friend,” said Rev. Stephanie Evans, Families for Safe Streets Member.
Rev. Stephanie Evans and Latanya Byrd speaking after Mayor Parker signed a bill authorizing speed cameras on Broad Street in 2024.
In 2023, the fight for the automated speed camera program continued when her advocacy led to the pilot being made permanent and expanded to 5 additional high speed corridors. One of the last times Ms. Byrd visited City Hall was to celebrate the signing of the Broad Street speed cameras. During the first 5 years that the speed cameras were on Roosevelt boulevard, it’s estimated that one life was saved every month.
Latanya Byrd present Rep John Taylor with an award at the 2019 Bicycle Coalition Gala.
“In all my years as a legislator and a government affairs consultant, I never encountered someone with the courage and strength of Latanya Byrd,”said Representative John Taylor. “Latanya’s advocacy on behalf of red light camera enforcement, speed camera enforcement, parking protected bike lanes, J alert, transit funding and countless other pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist safety issues was invaluable. Elected officials listened to Latanya. The emotional toll on Latanya to continue to tell her story had to be enormous. Thank you for your work and sacrifice, Latanya. You will be missed!”
Latanya’s impact transcended Philadelphia. Her story and activism touched the lives of countless people across the country and brought her to the White House in 2024 to talk about the intersection of road safety and equity focused policies.
Latanya Byrd speaking at the 2024 White House Convening on Equity event.
Ms. Byrd’s passing leaves a large hole in Philadelphia’s traffic safety community. Her tireless work to permanently reduce motor vehicle speeding leaves a tremendous legacy of saved lives.
Latanya was a proud graduate of Dobbins High School and went on to further her education at Drexel University and Peirce College, always driven by a desire to grow, give back, and make a meaningful impact. That desire led her to dedicate over 20 years of her professional life to JEVS New Orleans Technical Institute, where she touched countless lives through her guidance, encouragement, and strength.
Latanya Byrd at the 2024 Bicycle Coalition Gala.
Her family always said she was the hardest worker in any room — a leader, a mentor, and a quiet force of compassion and determination. Full of laughter and charisma, Latanya Byrd Attaway was truly the life of every room she entered, with an unfailing ability to see and nurture the good in others. Her loss is immeasurable, but her legacy is enduring.
“My grandmother, my ‘Nonnie,’ Latanya, was an incredibly influential figure in my life. I truly cherished every meaningful experience with her, and I hope she is celebrated and remembered as one of the most ambitious figures to have touched our lives. I am dedicated to carrying on her legacy, from volunteering and advocacy to creating a safer environment for the generations that follow.” – Eric Fripps, Latanya’s grandson
“My mom was the first soul I ever encountered—and the most beautiful one I ever will.”- Kenneth L. Attaway, Latanya’s son.
“She was FEARLESS. She was BRAVE. She was the light through a dark tunnel. She wasn’t just the calm within the storm — She was the bird that sang after the storm. She was PURE. She was GOLDEN. She was my walking angel who guided me through every struggle. She wasn’t just a force to be reckoned with — she was gladiolus. She left behind a few seeds — seeds she watered, watched grow, nurtured, protected, appreciated, and allowed to flourish in their own way. She is not gone. Her strength and love live on in every bloom” ~ Shanice C. Attaway, Latanya’s daughter.
Latanya’s passions were many, but none greater than helping people. Whether through her advocacy, her career, or her everyday presence, she offered love, strength, and wisdom to all who crossed her path. She also found great solace in writing poetry, using her words to make sense of the world, to heal, and to uplift.
Latanya Byrd, her family, Mayor Kenney, and Mayor Parker (Council person at that time), Yocasta Lora with AARP, and Rich and Laura Fredricks with Families for Safe Streets at the signing of the bill authorizing speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard in 2019.
She leaves behind her loving husband Kenneth, her children Shanice, Kenneth, and Caleb, and her grandchildren Eric, Nasim, Sanai, Eli, and Ashad, along with her mother Janice, her siblings, and a wide circle of family, friends, and community members who will carry her memory forward.
From left to right: Nicole Brunet, David Mirabal, Marie Sánchez Smith, Sarah Clark Stuart, Chris Gale, Deputy Managing Director Mike Carroll, Hassan Cox, Jasmine Hoffman, and Latanya Byrd at the 2024 Bicycle Coalition Gala.