"On Saturday, May 8, 2004, Brent Rodgers went to visit some close friends. While at their home, he was shot in the head and died early the next morning. It was Mother's Day.
Brent's death shocked Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, NC. Brent and his best friend and cousin T.J. were known throughout for their ability to reach out to the young and old alike. They took it as their mission to mentor and minister to the saved and unsaved; to the loved and the unloved and for that they were respected and loved in return.
On the morning following his death, his mother, Jean Rodgers, recalls asking her sister,"what is wrong with the young today? Why are they so angry? What can I do to continue what Brent was sent here to earth to do? Something must be done for the young" and thus, Stay Alive Past 25 was birthed in her heart."
Jean Rodgers created 'Stay Alive Past 25' in honor of her son Brent, and other youth whose lives have been tragically ended by acts of senseless violence. On August 11, 2004, the organization held their first annual summit, hosted by famed gospel artist John P. Kee that honored Brent's life of giving.
Since 2004, Stay Alive Past 25 has held several fairs and community events, among them clothing drives, school supply giveaways and fun family activities. On July 11, 2008, the organization held a Youth, Young Adult and Community Forum with a standout panel. Jean Rodgers shared, "This panel normally collects huge honorariums for their time, but they all waived it, putting forth efforts, giving their talents and lending ears to listen to the issues of teen pregnancies, STDs, teen suicides, teen related driving tragedies, gang activities, teen drop outs, teen alcohol and drug problems, low self-esteems, gun related death rates of teens between the ages 12-19 and more. "
Brent's death shocked Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, NC. Brent and his best friend and cousin T.J. were known throughout for their ability to reach out to the young and old alike. They took it as their mission to mentor and minister to the saved and unsaved; to the loved and the unloved and for that they were respected and loved in return.
On the morning following his death, his mother, Jean Rodgers, recalls asking her sister,"what is wrong with the young today? Why are they so angry? What can I do to continue what Brent was sent here to earth to do? Something must be done for the young" and thus, Stay Alive Past 25 was birthed in her heart."
Jean Rodgers created 'Stay Alive Past 25' in honor of her son Brent, and other youth whose lives have been tragically ended by acts of senseless violence. On August 11, 2004, the organization held their first annual summit, hosted by famed gospel artist John P. Kee that honored Brent's life of giving.
Since 2004, Stay Alive Past 25 has held several fairs and community events, among them clothing drives, school supply giveaways and fun family activities. On July 11, 2008, the organization held a Youth, Young Adult and Community Forum with a standout panel. Jean Rodgers shared, "This panel normally collects huge honorariums for their time, but they all waived it, putting forth efforts, giving their talents and lending ears to listen to the issues of teen pregnancies, STDs, teen suicides, teen related driving tragedies, gang activities, teen drop outs, teen alcohol and drug problems, low self-esteems, gun related death rates of teens between the ages 12-19 and more. "
In attendance included Grammy award nominated pastor and gospel artist John P. Kee, former Director of A&R for LaFace Records Tony Mercedes; Former BET and LA talk show host Angela Segal; former NFL Star Mike Rucker; Raul Martinez of Focul Point Productions; Yvonne Moore of Murder Victims Families' for Reconciliation in N.C.; Isaac Applewhite of Parks and Recreation; and Major Vickie Foster of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Panelist Mike Rucker shared, “It’s good when we can do our individual efforts to combat teen drug use, gang violence, drunk driving, teen pregnancies, high school drop outs and other issues, but when we put those efforts together, that’s when we could potentially see a collective result.”
For more information on Stay Alive Past 25, contact Jean Rodgers, jrodgers14@carolina.rr.com.
Panelist Mike Rucker shared, “It’s good when we can do our individual efforts to combat teen drug use, gang violence, drunk driving, teen pregnancies, high school drop outs and other issues, but when we put those efforts together, that’s when we could potentially see a collective result.”
For more information on Stay Alive Past 25, contact Jean Rodgers, jrodgers14@carolina.rr.com.
{Thanks Laura}
2 comments:
This sounds like it was a great effort. Did anyone discuss solutions? I do agree with what Mike Rucker said. We all should follow the example of this event and try to pull all of our efforts together.
Hello anonymous friend,
Yes, the panel did discuss solutions. Mike Rucker along with a colleague has established child development centers and the featured organization has sponsored many activities for youth and families in the Charlotte, NC area. Thanks for your comment!
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