My name is Erica Taylor, founder of the Juanita Strong Forever Project and mother of Juanita Raquel Lolesio. Juanita was only 19 when her life was tragically cut short by gun violence.
On December 30, 2017, I received a call no parent should ever endure—Juanita had been shot in the head. She had spent the evening celebrating a friend’s birthday on a party bus and called me at 2:45 a.m., saying she’d be home soon. Her final words to me were, “I love you.”
Juanita fought bravely for 17 days on life support but gained her heavenly wings on January 15, 2018. She had been an innocent bystander when two young men recklessly fired 13 shots into the bus.
This tragedy is one of many in a growing epidemic of gun violence claiming innocent lives daily. Through the Juanita Strong Forever Project, we seek to raise awareness, inspire action, and fight for safer communities. We must empower our youth, provide them hope, and stand united against violence.
No parent should endure the pain of losing a child. Together, we can build a future where our children are safe, valued, and supported.
Thank you, and may God bless you all.