Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Throughout the year Shelby County Schools (SCS) Intervention Specialist, Author, and No More Silence Memphis Foundation founder and Executive Director LaTrossica Wilson holds events that focus on the health and well-being of youth and young adults who must survive in abusive environments daily. Saturday, April 10, 2019, was no exception. Beginning at 10 AM in the morning, the organization held a Child-Youth Anti-Violence Summit and Rally at their offices located at 3865 Winchester Road, Suite 6, in Memphis, TN. Tammy Groves Thornton, an artist, graphic designer, photographer, author, educator, and illustrator, was one of several talented entrepreneur's who spoke. My art is tied to my purpose said Groves Thornton, who loves drawing. “Art was my wat of escaping my reality at a young age; that’s why I firmly believe art is healing.” The four-hour child-youth rally was sponsored by the No More Silence Foundation (NMSF), ibank, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Schools. “Every year we bring awareness during sexual assault awareness month in the form of a rally with entertainment,” said Wilson. “This year we’re making connections, switching it up, and making loud noise in Memphis so that everyone will be aware of what’s really going on in the lives of our youth and young adults. Designed to help children of all ages, the program featured career choices, speakers, live art, entertainment, and concessions. Speakers included teen speaker Khamilla Johnson, piano therapist Lacoby Fentress, realtor Treissa Parks, SCS educator Morticia Brooks Taylor, and yours truly, Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson. “The child-youth summit and rally addresses the risk of silence on child sexual abuse in the Memphis area,” said Wilson. “The summit and rally speakers we’ve invited to speak today are police officers, teens, parents, and subject matter experts who will address concerns and legal issues related to childhood sexual abuse.” Topic areas included understanding the signs and risk; Implementing preventative measures; preparing for and responding to an allegation; complying with abuse reporting requirements; creating registered sexual offender policies, searching criminal records effectively, and applying changes in the law. “You must know and understand the facts,” said Wilson. “One in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before reaching 18 years of age and these statistics skip no geographic areas. One in 3 reported cases involve peer sexual abuse or children abusing other children. And yes, over 80% of the victims of these crimes know their predator personally.” The mission of the NMSF is to provide coping mechanisms trough the arts using multiple educational strategies to help with healing from sexual abuse trauma in multipurpose ways. For more information, call (662) 510-4751, visit us online at nomoresilencememphis.com, or email nomoresilencefoundation@gmail.com. (Below) MPD Officer Leake (in the D.A.R.E. Corvette confiscated in a drug deal case) and MPD Officer Rutherford (not pictured but in vehicle at top right) were an instrumental force speaking at and ensuring the safety of the NMSF rally team who participated in the Anti-Violence Summit and Rally held Saturday, April 10, 2019. (Top Right) Children at the River City Heights Townhomes, 3716 Winchester Road were treated to a surprise visit from the NMSF rally team and received $1 donations from ED LaTrossica Wilson. Officer Leake passed out MPD badges and Officer Rutherford provided information on police vehicle horns, lights, and speakers, etc. 28
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