Local Teen Gun Control Advocate Raises Money for The Hate U Give Movie Screening with Talk Back on in Illinois and Detroit

Rev. Jesse Jackson and Kayrox
Rev. Jesse Jackson and Kayrox

Local Teen Gun Control Advocate Raises Money for The Hate U Give Movie Screening with Talk Back on in Illinois and Detroit
Free event gives back to community by providing access to screening and books, while raising gun violence awareness and activism and the impact on African American teens

Kayla, ‘Kayrox’ Austin, 15, to host Kayrox4Gunsafety screening that includes a panel discussion, survey and registration to vote . The highly acclaimed movie screening, sponsored by Victory Cathedral Worship Center (Bolingbrook), Rainbow Push, and Greater Grace Temple (Detroit) will be held Saturday October 20th at 11:30 AM, 2:30 panel discussion at Cinemark Seven Bridges 6500 IL-53, Woodridge, IL 60517.

350 teens are set to gain free access to the screening, The Hate U Give book (written by Angie Thomas) and a snack. At the conclusion of the movie, Kayla will initiate a survey, concluded by a impactful discussion panel discussion that includes Dr. Todd Yeary (newly appointed Rainbow Push VP, Dr. Whitaker (a highly regarded educator, school superintendent, and Rainbow Push Excel board member and Officer Walter Edwards, and 2 other teens leaders from Victory.

With over a decade of successfully giving back through community service, Kayla was inspired to facilitate a movie screening of her interest to influence peers. The movie aligns with her interest in film and her passion of gun violence awareness against teens.

In middle school, Kayla was a part of the NAACP’s Jr. ACT-SO Program where she came up with an invention that she believes can save lives from gun violence. She felts so strongly about kids getting shot, especially African-American kids. She started the process of obtaining a patent on the invention she created during the ACT-SO program. After attending the 2018 Black Girls Lead conference at Columbia University in New York City this year, she now has a better understanding of the importance of giving back.

“Gun violence is the second leading cause of death among youth and I want to change that”, said Kayla. “I was blessed to raise my voice at the “March for Lives” student event in Los Angeles during spring break this year. That event allowed me to realize the power we have as youth in America.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, gun violence has a devastating impact on American children and teenagers. Over 2,700 children and teens (ages 0-19) are shot and killed and nearly 14,500 are shot and injured every year – that’s an average of 47 American children and teens shot every day. The effects of gun violence extend far beyond those struck by a bullet: gun violence shapes the lives of the millions of children who witness it, know someone who was shot, or live in fear of the next shooting. Saturday, November 3rd the screening is set for Detroit.

For information on how you can get involved, log on to kayrox4gunsafety.com

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.