MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Whitehaven teens say they’ve had enough of crime.
On other days, Jacob Childress, 17, and Jayden Childress, 15, worked behind the counter at a shop called Butta Butter Cookies in Whitehaven, serving sweets to customers.
But the brothers were outside the store on Saturdays, serving the community in other ways.
The teens hosted a peace rally in the company’s parking lot as a call to end violence in the community.
“This shows that we can come together,” Jacob Childress said. “We can have a good time, and it’s not violent.”
“There are still some good things to do in the city of Memphis,” Jayden Childress said.
Multiple families came to enjoy the music, listen to motivational speakers, and of course, eat cookies.
K. Darrell Cowan, founder and executive director of Heal 901, a nonprofit organization focused on violence prevention, was also in attendance to recognize the teens who have done their part to bring communities together. praised.
“We need older generations to work with younger generations to change the structure of what we see in the city of Memphis,” Cowan said. “We are delighted that these young people will help us spearhead this charge.”
The event was held in the wake of numerous incidents of violence across the Bluff City over several weeks, including shootings and pedestrians being hit by vehicles.
Small business owners say they want to spread positivity in their communities and inspire others their age.
“We don’t need to take everything off the streets,” Jacob Childress said. “You don’t have to get everything off the block. You can mow the grass. You can carry someone’s groceries and make money. You can pump gas. A hard way to make money. there are a lot of.”
