New Inspirational Book by Activist, Nonprofit Leader
Joy in the Morning—A Mother’s Journey from Tragedy to Triumph
(Dallas, TX) – Chris Lewis met Kendrick Lott back in the summer of 1993. The two struck up an instant friendship because Chris was a freshman at the same school that Kendrick planned to attend. But instead of becoming Morehouse brothers, the two died together, brutally slain by two drugged out gang-bangers looking for someone to carjack.
Chris was Joy Strickland’s son and Joy in the Morning is her inspirational book of unspeakable tragedy, healing and profound change. Joy in the Morning is a valiant contribution to the field of grief memoirs, for here is that rare title written by the mother of a murdered child. Strickland punctuates her story with her original poetry and her reflections are the perfect complement, giving her book depth and texture.
“I have written this book believing that my experience will encourage and inspire others to see their challenges as an opportunity for personal transformation,” says Strickland. “I believe that healing and wholeness are accessible to us all; that joy is our divine right; and sharing this message is an important part of my life’s purpose.”
Joy in the Morning is available on www.joystrickland.com, www.amazon.com, and at retail bookstores worldwide. This is the author’s first book.
About the Author. A staunch advocate for teen violence prevention, Joy Strickland has received a bevy of awards and accolades. Her advocacy and commitment have been featured in USA Today; on CNN and CNN Headline News; on USA Radio; in the Dallas Morning News and other media.
Strickland is a native Texan who grew up in Dallas and attended Dallas public schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a double minor in English and German from The University of Texas at Austin. She joined the IBM Corporation immediately upon graduation and received numerous awards during her seventeen-year career as a computer programmer and marketing executive.
Responding to her tragedy, Strickland founded Mothers Against Teen Violence (MATV) and has led the organization for fourteen years. For more information about MATV go to www.matvinc.org.
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MOTHERS AGAINST TEEN VIOLENCE Announces
New Direction for Violence Prevention
(Dallas, TX) -- For sixteen years MOTHERS AGAINST TEEN VIOLENCE has been a community-based, direct services organization engaged in violence prevention. The organization’s new strategy is to engage in public information and advocacy for drug policy reform. Their service area will expand to a statewide focus.
MATV will outline their new strategy and respond to questions at a press conference:
Thursday, January 14, 2010, 10 a.m.
Sheraton Dallas Hotel, State Room 1, 3rd Floor (Convention Center)
400 N. Olive St.
Dallas, TX 75201
MATV CEO Joy Strickland says, “Drug policy is fairly complex. One of our most important challenges will be to develop a language and a narrative compelling enough to attract those demographics that have suffered most from our current drug policy, and empower them to work for change.”
The press conference will immediately precede the organization’s Tenth Annual MLK Awards Luncheon, which will also take place at the Sheraton Dallas. This year’s Humanitarian Award will be presented to James P. Gray, former Superior Judge of Orange County, CA and author of How Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It. Judge Gray will take part in the press conference.
The Luncheon will be hosted by Willis Johnson of KKDA Radio. Royce West, State Senator, District 23, is the Honorary Chair.
MATV is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization committed to resilient teens, empowered parents, and strong communities. MATV was founded in 1994 following the slayings of Chris Lewis and his friend, Kendrick Lott, in Dallas. Chris Lewis graduated from St. Mark’s School of Texas and was on summer break from his freshman year at Morehouse College. His mom, Joy Strickland, is MATV’s founder and CEO. The organization is located at 2904 Floyd Street, Suite F in the Wilson Historic District of Dallas, TX.
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Discussion Groups
Our drug policy is a problem. Can’t we talk about it? MATV’s Drug Policy Discussion groups facilitate the exchange of information and encourage individuals to develop informed opinions about the issue. Contact Us for meeting dates and times.
House Party with a Purpose
MATV’s house parties are a fun-filled way to get people together and learn about drug policy. Guests not only have a good time, but they also appreciate receiving valuable information about an issue that seldom receives balanced coverage in the media. There is no hard selling. We offer “opportunities” and privileges”. We also play a game that graphically illustrates the impact of the drug war on certain communities. And party guests respond enthusiastically.
The host invites guests, and serves light refreshments…We do the rest.
If you would like to host a house party, click on Contact Us and let us know.
The Councils
MATV’s three drug policy councils focus on Prevention; Public Health: and Criminal Justice. Each council is composed of leading professionals, educators, activists and students who bring research, analysis, best practices and legislative action to the drug policy conversation. Councils may convene town hall meetings and other public forums and engage the media to facilitate public education and advocacy for reform.
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