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.
