Latest news with #KenyattaJohnson
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia art show offers moment of peace for people who have lost loved ones to gun violence
Peace in Philly art show honors those lost to gun violence, helps loved ones start to heal Peace in Philly art show honors those lost to gun violence, helps loved ones start to heal Peace in Philly art show honors those lost to gun violence, helps loved ones start to heal In a room where everyone has lost loved ones to gun violence, an art show Tuesday night in Philadelphia offered a rare moment of peace. Each portrait — bright, bold and deeply personal — captures the spirit of a life taken too soon. Danielle Shaw-Oglesby's daughter Dominique was a 23-year-old Penn State student when she was murdered on March 18, 2018. "She was bright, she was happy. She would light up a room. She was about community," Shaw-Oglesby said. She would have graduated that spring. "I take it day by day through the grace of God," she said. As do many of these grieving families, who gathered at Ezekiel Baptist Church, where Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson hosted "Peace in Philly," an art show in honor of Gun Violence Awareness Month. CBS News Philadelphia "In 1998, I lost a cousin to the senseless gun violence in South Philadelphia, and from that point forward, I started teaching young people conflict resolution, anger management and most importantly, anti-street education," Johnson said. "So this is an issue that is very near and dear to me." The show was curated by Zarinah Lomax, founder of The Apologues. Lomax began using art therapy to help families process grief after losing her friend Dominique. "You see the type of emotion that comes when someone sees their loved one," Lomax said. "It can trigger them sometimes to help them to understand where they are on their journey, and then get connected. A lot of people have come to the exhibitions over the year and become family." Although most say the pain never subsides, studies show art therapy can help reduce PTSD symptoms in trauma survivors. "I can still keep a piece of her with me," Shaw-Oglesby said. "Because the art is just so beautiful, and it's staying, it stays with me. It's here forever."
CBS News
28-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia City Council president on mass shooting at Fairmount Park: "It is totally unacceptable"
Reaction from city officials has begun pouring in after the deadly mass shooting in Philadelphia at Fairmount Park on Memorial Day. Community members gathered at Hope Partnership for Education in North Philly on Tuesday night for a Community Town Hall on the city's budget. While the focus was on where the tax dollars were going and the changes residents want to see, gun violence prevention was also sitting heavy on the minds of hearts of Philadelphians following Monday night's Memorial Day mass shooting at Lemon Hill. "It is totally unacceptable, and as a city, we have to do more coming together and finding out ways to address the issue," Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said. Councilmember Jeffrey Young Jr., a newly appointed member of the City Council's Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention said, "We should not make this the norm." "We should not just bow down to cowards in our city," Young said. The NOMO Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has also been standing up to gun violence. It's been their mission since Day 1, and they strive to get young people on the right path. "My condolences goes out to the family that had to suffer," Rickey Duncan, the CEO and executive director of the NOMO Foundation, said. Duncan said this shooting is a wake-up call, and more still needs to be done. "It's never a good thing when things like this transpire," Duncan said. "I am always flabbergasted to know the good work is going on in the city, and still bad things happening." Duncan said he tries to teach the young kids about decision-making and the impact one wrong move can make on their lives. "I want them to know that although it may be the thing to do at the time, just be mindful of the what if's and what could possibly happen," Duncan said. When it comes to continuing the fight against gun violence, Duncan has a message. "I think we continue to work, don't get pushed back," Duncan said. "Push forward if anything."
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
City leaders walk for peace in Southwest Philadelphia after 17-year-old girl shot, killed
The Brief SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA - A walk for peace was held in Southwest Philadelphia Thursday evening, just days after a 17-year-old girl was shot and killed in an alleyway. Community members say they are sad and frustrated. What we know Almost a week after a 17-year-old girl was shot and killed in a Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood, Council President Kenyatta Johnson hosted a peace-not-guns public safety walk. Jada Gray was shot in the chest March 28th around 11:40pm in the 7000 Block of Elmwood Avenue. Investigators believe she may have been killed during an attempted robbery. On Thursday, Johnson was joined by District Attorney Larry Krasner and other community leaders knocking door to door to hear neighbors' concerns and offer resources. What they're saying "Thats too close to home," said Deborah Brewer who lives in the Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood. "I've been here 10 years and now I'm thinking about getting out of here as soon as I can because it don't make no sense." Gray's death is one of the latest shootings involving young people in recent weeks. So far this year, at least 25 teens have been victims of gun violence. "We gotta focus on supporting our young people and let them know there are better ways to resolve conflict besides picking up a gun," said Council President, Kenyatta Johnson.
