Remembering Malik Cross, Scraper Bike team member, youth mentor, and father

"At age 6, Malik accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized by Pastor Joe L. Smith at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland. There he would later serve as an usher and sing in the church choir, Little Mighty Voices. As he grew, he became part of the GHMBC Special, singing in the teen choir. Malik received his education through the Oakland Unified School District."

"As a young child, Malik's boundless curiosity and creativity were clear - whether through music, dancing, or taking things apart just to see how they worked. One favorite family memory is the time he and his brother Country dismantled a bunkbed with forks while living on 60th Street. Fortunately they managed to put it back together so they didn't get in any trouble."

"From a young age, Malik loved riding his Mongoose bike, fearlessly jumping off curbs and homemade ramps. As a teen, that same energy and creativity evolved into building and riding Scraper bikes-a creative expression rooted in Oakland culture that reflected his ingenuity and connection to the community. He was a member of the Original Scraper Bike Team, which launched in 2006, creating art bikes and supporting youth entrepreneurship."

"Malik's first experience with work came through his father, doing electrical work, helping build houses, and working on cars. He loved to work and was always eager to learn new things. At just 13, his first summer job was at Standard recycling plant, unloading trucks and sorting bottles and cans. The next summer he detailed cars at Classy and Classic Auto Detailing, and by 16, he was an after-school instructor at Manzanita Community School."

Gilbert Malik Cross was born in Oakland on December 21, 1991, to Gilbert and Mary Cross and died on June 27 at age 33. He accepted the Lord at age six and served as an usher and sang in church choirs. He attended Oakland Unified schools and showed early curiosity through music, dancing, and taking things apart. He rode a Mongoose bike and later built and rode Scraper bikes. His early work included helping his father with electrical work and cars, and summer jobs at a recycling plant and auto detailing. He loved restoring cars and often tinkered on vehicles himself.

Read at The Oaklandside