Although I honor my brother Ernest Neff, who was taken by gun violence, my fight for change has led me to reflect on being a survivor of gun violence long before his death. When I was 18 years old and 8 months pregnant, strangers invaded our home and held my mother and me at gunpoint. It was the first time I experienced my life flashing before my eyes. With a gun held to my head, I remember feeling overwhelming fear and helplessness.
I often share that when my brother was taken by gun violence, it broke my mom. She never recovered from his death; it essentially broke her.
Thanks to Moms Demand Action and Everytown, I finally understood that I had not healed and needed to face my trauma head-on. I realized there weren’t many resources for people who look like me to heal and feel comfortable while doing it. So, I started Keyz 2 the Future, a non-profit organization for girls and young women impacted by gun violence. I wanted them to know that no matter what life throws at you, you can prevail.