Fashion Shows Raise Awareness of the Effects of Violence on a Community

This week, Grotto catches up with Denika Turner-Stevens. She is the founder of Runway 4 Peace — an organization that uses fashion events to bring people together to stop violence in their local community.

“Parents and families walk in our fashion shows holding pictures of their murdered loved ones to show the audience that the violence needs to stop,” she explains.

Video Transcript

Compton, CA
Denika Turner-Stephens, founder of Runway 4 Peace

Denika Turner-Stephens: My name is Denika Turner-Stephens. Runway 4 Peace is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the Stop the Violence cause through fashion events — to provide a platform for mothers and families to display how violence ill-affected their lives.

Runway 4 Peace uses fashion events to raise awareness for the Stop the Violence cause.

Denika: Runway 4 Peace started based on the lack of opportunity in the community for aspiring models. And the “Stop the Violence” cause came about when my niece at the age of 10 survived being shot three times.

Our signature program is called WERK. It is (intended) to create a dynamic influence by presenting the fundamentals of uplifting self-love and great confidence through a fierce catwalk.

W = Women’s
E = Empowerment
R = Runway
K = Klass

Denika: The program really builds self-esteem for young girls. I’ve seen a complete transformation in the girls that I’ve worked with for the Stop the Violence cause.

Parents and families walk in our fashion show holding a picture of their murdered loved ones to show the audience that the violence needs to stop. Runway 4 Peace is just about building confidence and bringing the community together.

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