Our Mission is to cultivate and promote resilient teens, empowered parents, and strong Communities.
Our Vision is for a safe and nurturing community for every child.
Charles Christopher Lewis (Chris)
Residents of Dallas, Texas were shocked and saddened by the news that Charles Christopher Lewis (Chris), 19, and his friend, Kendrick Demond Lott, 18, had been robbed and brutally murdered on June 19, 1993. During the 90’s teen violence reached epidemic proportions in Dallas and in other large cities around the nation. Chris and Kendrick, promising teens, both summer camp counselors, were unlikely victims.
Chris graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas, a premiere college prep academy, where he was the vice-president of the Upper School Orchestra, played varsity football, ran track, and was a gifted writer and linguist. He was home from his first year at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Kendrick had graduated less than a month prior to his demise from the Business and Management Magnet High School in Dallas. He was the vice president of his senior class and had achieved the outstanding rank of Eagle Scout.
Kendrick Demond Lott
Details of that tragic
evening emerged during the first trial five months later. Chris had
reluctantly agreed to drop his two friends off at a South Dallas club.
His friends planned to ride home with another group of teens, which
they expected to meet at the club. But when Chris and his friends
turned into the parking, the car that they expected was noticeably
absent. Not wanting to be stranded, the two teens decided they would
not stay after all and asked Chris to drop them off at home.
At
that point, however, Chris and his friends were approached by two teens
that they didn't know, who were armed with handguns and under the
influence of alcohol and illegal drugs. These two hoodlums carjacked
the three friends, driving them a secluded area where Chris was shot in
the back of the head with a 9mm handgun. Kendrick was shot in the face
while on his knees pleading for his life. The third teen managed to
escape although he was badly beaten and required oral surgery.
Autopsies revealed that Chris and Kendrick had no foreign substances in
their bodies.
Following this tragedy, MOTHERS AGAINST TEEN
VIOLENCE, Inc. was organized. Chris' mother, Joyce A. Strickland (Joy),
is the founding CEO. In this effort the organization resolves that
Chris, Kendrick, and thousands like them, have not lost their lives in
vain!
Joy Strickland
Joyce A. Strickland (Joy) is the founding CEO of Mothers Against Teen Violence, Inc. in Dallas. She is a native Texan who attended Dallas public schools. Joy is a former IBM marketing executive.
Joy attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics with a double minor in English and German. She joined the IBM Corporation immediately upon graduation. At IBM Joy received numerous awards for outstanding performance while working in Houston, San Jose, Atlanta, Harrisburg, and Irving, Texas.
When Joy made the decision to leave IBM, she moved with her two sons from her suburban home to the Dallas community where she grew up. Joy founded Mothers Against Teen Violence (MATV) following the slayings of her son Chris and his friend in a random act of gun violence.
At MATV Joy’s grant writing has garnered the organization over $1.7 million. More than a dozen of her op-ed articles have been published in the Dallas Morning News and other newspapers. As a visionary and creative leader, Joy has designed all programs implemented by MATV since its inception. Power Lunch Mentoring, for example is a school based mentoring program for elementary students designed around the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. Under Joy’s leadership, MATV:
Organized and led a public-private partnership to bring Little League Baseball to South Dallas, a community where organized baseball had been absent for over a decade.
Was awarded tenancy in the Wilson Historic District. This award offered increased visibility and free tenancy in a community of historic Victorian homes through the generosity of the Meadow's Foundation.
Launched Project Safe School (PSS), a comprehensive school-based prevention program for elementary aged students. PSS exceeded its goals for reducing campus violence and improving student behavior.
Developed a 10-year Strategic Plan.
Unveiled a new logo and tagline developed by Kraus Advertising, which serves to solidify the organization’s brand
Brought violence prevention services to over 20,000 teens and parents
Joy’s work has been the subject of articles in USA Weekend, The Dallas Morning News, and D Magazine. Joy has been interviewed on CNN and featured for a full week on Bishop T.D. Jakes’ show, The Potter’s Touch. She has also appeared frequently on local and regional TV stations.
Joy is a former member of the Dallas Advisory Board of the Women’s Museum and is a past President of the South Boulevard Historic District Neighborhood Association. A staunch advocate for teen violence prevention, Joy has received a bevy of awards and accolades including the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority’s Community Service Award; the American Jewish Congress Woman of Spirit Award; Ft. Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce ‘Outstanding Humanitarian’ Award; and special recognition by the Dallas Peace Center.
