Help Kenn Sr. Through Heartbreaking Loss

Support for Kenn Collier Sr. in His Time of Tragedy

Dear friends, family, and compassionate individuals,

My name is Derrick Harper Sr., and although I have never personally experienced the loss of a child, I can only imagine the unimaginable pain that comes with such a loss. Today, I am reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your support for a dear friend, Kenn Collier Sr., who tragically lost his 17-year-old son, Kenn Collier Jr., to gun violence on the evening of January 9th.

Kenn Jr. was not only a young man full of potential, but he was also a passionate advocate for his community. His life, though cut short far too soon, was one dedicated to change and impact. Kenn Sr. has always been a father who put his children first, investing his time, energy, and resources to ensure they had opportunities to thrive. He kept Kenn Jr. involved in sports, music, and activism, always striving to nurture his son’s dreams and passions. Kenn Jr. was not just a youth; he was a force for good, with a vision to make the world a better place.

At just 17, Kenn Jr. had already accomplished so much. He was an advocate for gun violence prevention, even joining Stacey Abrams on the campaign trail to stand against violence. His music campaign encouraged young people to express themselves creatively without resorting to profanity or harmful language. As a young entrepreneur, Kenn Jr. launched “Button Buddy” at the age of 9, a company with a powerful message that every button tells a story. This endeavor came from a place of deep personal pain—on the morning of his 10th birthday, Kenn Jr. tragically lost his mother to gun violence. He used his trauma as fuel to help others, focusing on activism that aimed to improve the lives of youth in his community.

Kenn Jr. worked tirelessly to advocate for his peers, pushing for initiatives like adding rims to basketball goals in local parks and creating jobs to provide young people with pathways to entrepreneurship, all in an effort to change the negative perceptions of the youth in his neighborhood. Ironically, it was a stray bullet, the very violence Kenn Jr. dedicated so much of his life to combating, that took his life.

As an entrepreneur myself, I understand the challenges that come with building a life and a legacy. However, I can only imagine how much more difficult it is to continue moving forward when the very person you’ve invested so much into is taken from you. Although the funeral expenses have been covered, the emotional and mental toll on Kenn Sr. is beyond words. Kenn now faces the monumental challenge of grieving the loss of his son while trying to maintain his livelihood and care for his family during this devastating time.

This is where we, as a community, can stand together and make a difference. I am asking you, as parents, entrepreneurs, or simply compassionate individuals, to contribute in any way you can to give Kenn Sr. the space and time he needs to grieve and honor his son without the added stress of financial worries. Your donation, no matter how small, will make a significant impact in allowing Kenn Sr. to focus on what truly matters in this moment—the memory of his son, and the painful process of saying goodbye.

Please consider donating and sharing this story with your networks. Let’s come together to support a father who has dedicated so much to his children, a community that has lost a bright light, and a young man whose life was tragically cut short but whose legacy will live on through the work he started.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this incredibly difficult time.

Sincerely,

Derrick Harper Sr.