Watch

Runway 4 Peace Honors Victims of Gun Violence

Creator:
Published:
November 28, 2023
August 5, 2019
Stop-The-Violence|Stop-The-Violence-Square

DeNika Turner-Stephens founded Runway 4 Peace to raise awareness and support for the Stop the Violence cause in South LA. The show honors victims and survivors of gun violence in her community, including her 10-year-old niece.

"Violence doesn't only affect the person that is preyed upon. It also affects the family, the community," she shares.

Video Transcript

Every day in America 310 people are shot.

DeNike Turner-Stephens: It makes us afraid to go out and enjoy our lives, especially allowing our kids to play outside, because my niece, she survived being shot at the age of 10 while playing basketball outside of her home. I felt it was a need for us to raise awareness for the Stop The Violence cause. 

DeNika runs the biggest fashion show in South LA. The show honors victims and survivors of gun violence.

DeNika: This is our last rehearsal for the fashion show. I want you to get in a rhythm. I want you to be used to that same energy that you're giving to be presented on the runway in front of the hundreds of people that will be there. I need y'all to give me some more energy. I need y'all to know that y'all working it. I need to know that's y'all are putting in your full effort in your walk. 

Has this been an amazing experience for you all? 

Children: Yes! 

DeNika: Yes. Okay. So, I'll see you guys next Sunday. Have Fun with it. 

Violence doesn't only affect the person that is prayed upon, it also affects the family. It affects the community. You lose a loved one who you are deeply attached to. 

I am so grateful for all of you to be in my fashion show. It's not about me. It is about you. It's about your confidence. It's about showcasing your talents, and it's about having fun. 

Raymar: It is nervous when you first try, but it gets better once you're just already up there. My name is Raymar, and I'm modeling in Runway 4 Peace. 

DeNika: How y'all feeling today? Good. I just want to let y'all know that you are at the biggest and most anticipated fashion show in the city. Welcome to the 6th Annual Runway 4 Peace Fashion Show.

The participants ,and the models, and the families are affected by it, because it is a pain that they deal with on a daily basis, and it's something that they're trying to cope with even years later. 

It takes a lot of courage for them to get out here in front of all these people. 

I want you to remember that you all are, for my girls, you all are beautiful. You all are unique and special, and you all are worthy of great things. For my boys, you all are handsome. You're strong, and you're capable of doing anything that you put your mind to. If you agree with that, let me hear you say, "Yeah." 

Children: Yeah! 

DeNika: All right. Group hug. Bring it in. all right. See you next year. 

Raymar: My name is Raymar, and I'm modeling in Runway For Peace.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
November 28, 2023
August 5, 2019
On a related note...
42 Ideas for the Clutter You Planned to Throw Away

42 Ideas for the Clutter You Planned to Throw Away

Mary Claire Lagroue

Fashion World Takes On Catholicism for 2018 Met Gala

Fashion World Takes On Catholicism for 2018 Met Gala

Lillian Fallon

This Young Student is Standing Up for Black Lives

This Young Student is Standing Up for Black Lives

Grotto

Protecting Threatened Chimney Swift Populations

Protecting Threatened Chimney Swift Populations

Grotto

3 Humanitarian Health Agencies That Can Use Your Help

3 Humanitarian Health Agencies That Can Use Your Help

Chris Hazell

Learning from the Social-Distance Experts

Learning from the Social-Distance Experts

Grotto Shares

What My Faith Taught Me About the Power of Fashion

What My Faith Taught Me About the Power of Fashion

Lillian Fallon

What We Too Often Forget About Helping People in Need

What We Too Often Forget About Helping People in Need

Sophie Caldecott

3 Tips for Shopping Sustainably

3 Tips for Shopping Sustainably

Mary Cunningham

How a Year of Service Broke Me Open

How a Year of Service Broke Me Open

Janelle Peregoy

Blind Blogger Transforms Perceptions of Beauty

Blind Blogger Transforms Perceptions of Beauty

Grotto

Sex Trafficking is Modern Slavery Hiding in Plain Sight

Sex Trafficking is Modern Slavery Hiding in Plain Sight

Mary Rose Somarriba

CASA Volunteer Shares Her Story | Little Ways: Advocate

CASA Volunteer Shares Her Story | Little Ways: Advocate

Grotto

Sharing the Joy of Caring for House Plants

Sharing the Joy of Caring for House Plants

Grotto

The New Worlds She Found in Her Library

The New Worlds She Found in Her Library

Theresa Sullivan

JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis and the Lost Art of Friendship

JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis and the Lost Art of Friendship

Hunter Cates

How I Found My Crew in College — Without Drinking

How I Found My Crew in College — Without Drinking

Dan Masterton

The Complete Guide to Hosting a Dinner Party

The Complete Guide to Hosting a Dinner Party

Lauren Lawson

#BlackPantherChallenge Gives Gift of Joy

#BlackPantherChallenge Gives Gift of Joy

Grotto

"Clothe the Naked"

"Clothe the Naked"

Barbara Lisette

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.