In an act of entrepreneurship merging with activism, two teenage brothers and business owners have taken a stand against violence in their Memphis neighborhood. Near the site of a recent double shooting, the owners of Butta Butter Cookies in Whitehaven, Jaicob and Jaiden Childress, held a rally to promote peace and unity in their community.
Targeting a scourge that has long plagued their city, the Childress brothers aimed to not just spread goodwill, but also to actively inspire their peers to deeply embrace nonviolence. According to LocalMemphis, Jaicob expressed his vision for a united community, stating, "The community — it needs to be one it needs to come together. You know this shows that we can come together we can have a good time you know and not be no violence."
The rally is the latest effort by the entrepreneurial siblings to have a positive impact on Memphis. As reported by Action News 5, their ambition is about bringing communities together, supporting local entrepreneurs, and creating safe spaces for youth. The event reportedly drew close to 100 locals and featured motivational speeches advocating for a unified Memphis.
The Childress brothers believe their proactive stance can ripple across their city. Jaiden told Action News 5 “It’s still some good in the city and we showing people that we can come together you know, as a community as one. Because we can’t do it - we can’t be no one-sided. We can’t do it with just one side, we need suits and ties, young and we need streets, we need everybody to lock in. We need young, we need old, we need everybody."
Their efforts were supported by K Durell Cowan, Executive Director of Heal 901, who emphasized the importance of older generations to support the youth. "When our young people are saying they they’re tired, It’s time for the older people to step up and support them for their efforts," Cowan told LocalMemphis.
Residents from far-flung suburbs were in attendance, including one Bartlett local whose initial attraction to the delicious offerings of Butta Butter Cookies became secondary to the pressing need to curb violence. This sentiment was captured by FOX13, with attendee Chere Doiron stating, "But it’s the courage and motivation for wanting to end the violence that made her stay."
