My son was killed by gun violence. His story is all too common for Black Americans.

John—

November 30, 2015 was the day my life changed forever.

My 23-year-old son Tyrell and his 21-year-old friend Jamal were murdered by senseless gun violence in Summerville, South Carolina. Two young men with a lifetime ahead of them—taken from us with no warning.

Tyrell's murder changed the dynamics of our entire family. He left behind a loving wife: his high school sweetheart, and their son who turned three years old just days after his father's murder. Our family lost a son, husband, father, nephew, cousin, grandson, and friend who had a unique relationship with each of us.

After Tyrell's death, I decided to channel my pain into purpose and got involved in the gun violence prevention movement. I joined the Everytown Survivor Network and founded my own organization, We Are Their Voices, to support others experiencing the same heartbreaking tragedy I did.

Tyrell's story is devastatingly common, especially for Black Americans: 1 in 3 Black people know or care about someone who was killed with a gun.

Gun violence is tearing our communities and families apart. But I'm comforted knowing that there are Black leaders in the gun violence prevention movement who are working tirelessly to make sure no other family experiences this pain.

As Black History Month comes to an end, read the stories of Black activists who are pushing our movement forward.

READ OUR STORIES

Tyrell was smart, funny, athletic, handsome, and had the most amazing smile. He had a way of making everybody feel like they were the most important person. As his mom, I will spend the rest of my life honoring his memory and making sure that his son knows who his father was.

When I sit still now, I think about my son, the memories we shared, and the last picture we took together. My heart is overwhelmed with my love for him. I can hear a whisper of his voice that says, "I am proud of you and THAT'S WHAT'S UP MA!"

And I'll continue doing this work to be his voice.

Thank you for being in this movement,

Tisa Whack
She/Her/Hers
Founder, We Are Their Voices
Everytown Survivor Network

Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund (the "Everytown Support Fund") is the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with over eight million supporters. The Everytown Support Fund seeks to improve our understanding of the causes of gun violence and help to reduce it by conducting groundbreaking original research, developing evidence-based policies, communicating this knowledge to the American public, and advancing gun safety and gun violence prevention in communities and the courts. Learn more at www.everytownsupportfund.org. Contributions to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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