Vols Against Violence

Who We Are

We are five students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville raising funds for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Drums Up Guns Down. The organization provides students at two local schools with an extracurricular activity in musical expression. This organization aligns with our values of making the community a safer place as many of our peers were victims of the ongoing violence.

Who They Are

Drums Up Guns Down was founded in 2021 to provide students at Austin East Magnet High School and Vine Magnet Middle School with artistic expression through the use of African drumming. The organization was founded following the death of three students who attended Austin East. Founder Obayana Ajanakun has worked with numerous sponsors to provide students with the opportunity to improve their living circumstances.

What We Need

We are working to provide students at the aforementioned schools with the opportunity to participate in Drums Up, Guns Down’s Kuumba Summer camp. This summer-long, full-day camp provides students with opportunities to enhance their interpersonal skills and artistic expression. The students will be able to participate in West African musical expression and athletic or artistic activities. Through your support for Drums Up, Guns Down, you can help provide at least two students with financial struggles the opportunity to participate in the $500 summer program.

How It Helps

By donating to Drums Up, Guns Down, you are supporting an initiative to limit violence in the local youth population. These donations will provide students with this safe place during the summer, a time when students are more likely to encounter violence as the crime rate in 2022 was 49 per 1,000. This is the perfect opportunity to provide underserved children in Knoxville with the ability to express their emotions through artistic expression. The organization will be prepared to provide youth with an outlet from violence in the community through musical expression.

How Else You Can Help

A donation is the best way to support Drums Up, Guns Down; However, there are multiple other ways to support our cause. You can spread our mission by sharing our campaign on social media and following @volsagainstviolence) Instagram. In addition, you can help by simply spreading the word about Drums Up Guns Down or following their Drums Up Guns Down-Facebook.

For more information, visit their website Drums Up Guns Down.