December 27, 2024 • 21 mins
Monica Atkins joins us for a heartfelt exploration of resilience and community impact, sharing her experiences from Newtown, Portsmouth. From playful childhood memories to the profound challenges of teenage motherhood, Monica's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and support. Her story is not just about overcoming personal loss but also about transforming tragedy into a mission to protect and guide the youth of today. Monica candidly opens up about the devastating losses of her mother, cousin, and son, which propelled her to establish Stop the Violence 757, a beacon of hope and change for her community. Her emphasis on the importance of safe sex education and structured guidance for young people today reflects her dedication to preventing others from facing similar hardships.
Monica's entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly as she recounts her path to success, from securing a promising career at the Up Center to launching innovative business ventures like Atkins Yard Decor. Her work with after-school programs and support for grieving children showcases her unwavering commitment to nurturing her community. Listen as Monica shares her passion for entrepreneurship, including her unique homemade gravy and detox tea, which she crafts with love and dedication. Her journey is not just about business success but about leaving a lasting legacy of resilience and community empowerment. Join us for an episode that promises to inspire and challenge you to consider the impact one individual can have when driven by purpose and passion.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Today we have Ms Monica Atkins, the CEO of Stop
the Violence 757, on with us.
How are you today?
I'm good, I'm great, we'redelighted to have you on.
Thank you, we appreciate you.
Thank you, monica.
Here at MMB Media TV, we loveto jump right into our
interviews, to have thosegenuine conversations with
genuine people just likeyourself, who are moving the
(00:20):
needle in our culture to make adifference.
So, thanks again, you'rewelcome, absolutely.
So we love to jump right in tothese interviews by asking this
question when did you grow up?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
I grew up right here in the city of Portsmouth, in an
area called Newtown.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Newtown.
Yes, what's Newtown?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Newtown is family, newtown is discipline, newtown
is fun and Newtown is childhood.
Newtown is fun and Newtown ischildhood.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Wow, a lot of good memories.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
A lot of good memories, yes, wow.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
What's the greatest memory that you have about
Newtown?
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Being able to go to the fire hydrant and get wet
because we didn't have a pool.
So you know they used to cutthe fire hydrant on when we was
little.
We can just run through thewater and just get wet and enjoy
one another.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
So a lot of fun back then.
Yes, lots of fun.
Did you have to be in the housewhen the streetlights came on?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Oh, when the 9 o'clock bomb came on, we had to
be in the house, yeah, yes, allof us had been through that.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
You could go back to talk to your 15-year-old self.
What would you tell her?
You know about preparingherself for now?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
When I was 15.
Safe sex Never heard nobodyanswer like that Safe sex safe
sex never heard.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Nobody ask it like that safe sex, why you say that?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
because I had my first child at 13, got you and
reflected back on my life.
Now I don't regret it because Ihad a support system, which my
son will be 40 in two years andI'm able to grow with him and I
(02:12):
love it.
And I had a village, but now,when you look at 15 year olds in
this day and time, they don'thave villages anymore because
the villages are trying to betheir siblings or friends.
No, because the villages aretrying to be their siblings or
friends.
Yes, and we need more structurein the 15-year-old lives today.
Wow, wow.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Never heard nobody answer that like that.
In terms of having safe sex,yes, that's what you would tell
your younger self.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Most definitely.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Wow, wow.
You never know who's listening,never know.
It's been 10 years since youstarted.
Stop the Violence 757.
Let's talk about why did itstart.
As a matter of fact, december5th right Marks the anniversary.
Yes, December 5th, so it's been10 years.
So where did it all come from?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
So I actually started in 2013.
My cousinon turner was murderedin london oats.
Um, some individuals tried torob the house and he was in his
sleep, so he really never had achance.
So, um, I was a part of a callto action where me and, uh,
maybe 80 individuals linked upat norcom high school to try to
(03:25):
combat this violence thing thatwas starting to escalate.
This was before Stop theViolence.
This was before Stop theViolence.
Yes, so the name of this thingthat we was doing was just
called Stopping the Violence.
Again, it was just a call toaction and you know, in this
circle, you know we had a prayercircle.
My son is standing in thatcircle, my son at the age of 25,
(03:47):
he didn't really have to showup, but he did, you know,
because he knew the impact ofbeing family and the impact of
Aaron being his cousin, how hewanted to be present, not
knowing that, following year, myson was going to be a product
of what I was showing up for.
Following year, my son wasgoing to be a product of what I
(04:08):
was showing up for.
So me, being the individualthat I am, I can only speak for
myself.
My children was my world.
You know um losing my mom at 17.
I always said that my kidswould never want for anything
and I made sure that.
So you know I just felt likethey messed with the wrong child
, because that was my baby.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
You say you lost your mom at 17.
Yes, how did that impact youback then, being young?
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So it is.
It's a little emotional because.
I'm always talking about my sonwhen people just don't know.
I have suffered layers oftrauma losing my mom, losing my
dad.
But, um, so I lost my mama at17, my senior year in school.
(05:04):
I was an honor student.
Honor student all throughschool.
I dropped out.
You know I had issues with myfamily.
You know, like I said at 16, Ihad already had two kids.
So I felt, like you know, withmy aunt having custody of me,
they wanted to restructurethings that I had already was
(05:28):
what they had became a norm whenmy mama was living.
So they tried to change thatand I felt like it was too late
to try to change things that Iwas already doing when my mama
was living.
So I ended up living from houseto house.
You know, living from house tohouse.
You know, I eventually wentback to night school, got my GED
(05:52):
and I always just been anentrepreneur, you know.
So being an entrepreneur, beingvery popular in the community,
you know I was really able tothrive out here, you know.
I mean I really didn't have tostruggle.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Wow, because you always had that mindset yes, I'm
going, I really didn't have tostruggle.
Wow, you always had thatmindset yes, I'm going to make
it.
Yes, wow, wow.
So, going back to the questionstop the violence.
You said it originated 10 yearsago.
Yes, and your son was in themidst of a of a movement that
you were doing, not knowing thefollowing year that he was going
to be murdered, wow.
So talk about stop the Violencethat originated from that.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Again, you know 2013, .
It was all these individuals.
I'm a firm believer.
I say this all the timeEverybody want to be on the bus
until they see the work behindthe scene.
Talk about that, but when youdon't want to be committed to
what you say you're going to do,you eventually drop off.
Your heart is not in it andfrom maybe over 50 some people,
(06:51):
it ended up to three individualsand them three individuals.
They stood with me through thehardest times and now you know.
I'm grateful because you knowlook at Stop the Violence today,
10 years strong, but not eventhat.
From that first year,everything that we said that we
would do, we continued to dothem for 10 straight years.
(07:13):
We was committed, Wow,Consistent, Consistent, yeah,
Dedicated.
It takes that, yeah, yes, yeah,everything.
And the only time you can dothat is you're passionate about
it.
And not even that.
I didn't want another parent togo through what I went through.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
So what would you tell a parent who has lost a
child right now, who you seegoing through what you went
through back then?
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I see parents suffering all the time.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
All the time.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
On the inside.
They got to talk about it.
You have to talk about it, noteven that Some parents may think
that the only way that they cansurvive is getting justice.
I'm 10 years now and I stilldon't have justice.
Wow, but I know karma is real.
Right, I know God going tocontinue to fight my battles,
(08:06):
because a lot of times peopledon't know that karma can live
and come back to hunt us throughour children, through their
children's children.
So I always sit back because Iknow God is real.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
So communication talking about it, yes, yeah,
getting some help, becauseholding that pain in you could
die eternally and bring onsickness, a broken heart.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yes, my son's father died six months after him, and I
believe it was from a brokenheart.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Wow, I never heard that before until I had a
conversation with someone thatsaid that you can die from a
broken heart because you had somuch love for that individual.
And I never heard that before.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
But not even that too .
I had to learn this too,because God said don't love
nobody more than you.
Love me, mm, mm, you love me.
I love my son so much, so much,so much.
So in the midst of me losing myson, my daughter had a baby, my
(09:16):
son.
When I needed a babysitter, mydaughter, my son, used to come
home and babysit for me right.
So when I lost my son, it'slike that same love that I was
pouring into him I could pour itinto my granddaddy.
So I kept my daughter's babyfor maybe the straight five
(09:41):
years and I just went coldturkey and stopped keeping her
Because I wanted God to keep her.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Wow, wow, that's deep man.
People don't understand theimpact of, I guess, young people
taking someone's help,someone's life.
They don't know the impact thatit has on the other person's
family.
You know, to me, yes, it's a,it's a lot.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
You know, just even now me checking my emails from
my website.
You know people all over the757 reaches out to me.
You know their kids are beingslain in the streets, just being
shot at while driving.
You know we really got to cometogether.
You know we done lost so manyyoung men, we losing the women.
(10:27):
You know I mean enough isenough, enough is enough.
What more has to be done forpeople to come together?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
As I always say, you never know who's listening.
I know you have stopped theviolence, but how do you cope
with that loss of a loved one?
Outside of that, what do you do?
Because I know it has to beother activities that you have
to do.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
So for me I am very engaged, right.
So I worked for the Up CenterSix years.
I interned there.
You know they was pleased withmy work and you know my
supervisor.
You know she was like Monica ifa job opening ever come up it's
yours.
And I ran into her four yearslater and she said I have an
(11:16):
opening, if you want it, it'syours.
And I proved myself opening.
If you want it, it's yours.
And I proved myself again.
You know been there six yearsnow, but not even that I
facilitate two after schoolprograms at schools I attended
when I was young BrightonElementary in Parkview.
So you know things just camearound full circle.
I also I'm the facilitatorthrough Bonds and Secours, kids
(11:42):
and Grief.
I have my own business where I'ma partner with me and my cousin
and I.
We started when it started thepandemic.
You know it's called AtkinsYard Decor.
I sell my own gravy, okay, andI make detox tea.
So you know I am veryentrepreneur.
You know I gravy Okay, and Imake detox tea.
So you know I am veryentrepreneur.
You're not just Creative, notjust creative.
(12:04):
You know.
I mean back in the days.
You know I used to have all thebig pool parties, all the big
block parties and things, butnevertheless that's my past, you
know.
Yeah, I got you so, but it stuckwith you the entrepreneurship
yes yes, you, you know, yeah, Igot so but um, it stuck with you
.
Yes, yes, you gotta know how tochime it in and turn it into
something else.
You know, yeah.
So I mean I'm very engaged inthe community, very engaged, so
(12:25):
you stay active always yes andnot even that.
Um, I was started a bike clubcalled the pedal pushers, so you
know, I have encouraged peopleduring the pandemic to get up
off the couch and to get outsideand start riding the bikes.
So I do have um partnershipswith north of state.
Um, I've did two bike rideswith them.
(12:46):
Okay, in the month of june,which is a national awareness
day for gun violence, and I dobike ride for the city of
portsmouth as well, wow.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
So get your bike, get on it and ride and get the
movement.
Yes, how moving.
Yes, how often do you do those?
When is the next one?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
So it'll be next year .
It's the National AwarenessMonth, which is in June.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Got you.
So you think about People,think about why.
You said why.
What are some of the rootcauses Do you think gun violence
come from?
I know there's a lot of them,but what do you think the?
Speaker 2 (13:21):
main one is it could be food insecurities Got you,
because sometimes you knowpeople feel like they got to
feed their families right andthey want to go out here and
take things by force.
You know, survival, yeah,survival mode mode, but not even
that too.
We got to be careful how weconverse with our kids or
conversations that we havearound them, because a lot of
(13:42):
times too, kids can build upanger in them you know we got to
stop telling these kids yourfather not nothing, your dad is
your daddy's not nothing.
Say we have an issue withsomebody, certain conversations
that we shouldn't have aroundkids, and not even that, setting
the kids up for failure.
We's buying these children allthis expensive stuff when
(14:04):
they're younger.
Then, when they get older, theycan't afford it and they feel
like they're entitled to it.
They want to take it, and noteven that we need to correct
children when they're entitledto it.
You know they want to take it.
You know, and not even that weneed to correct children when
they're wrong, not just correctthem.
Also, we need to listen to ourchildren and I was always I'm
convicted of that, you know,because my daughter I thank God
(14:25):
for my daughter, because I neverwanted to listen to stuff she
had to say you know, I alwaysthought I was right, yeah, I got
you.
And she was like mom, you haveto listen to.
You know, you got to hear myside of the story.
So I'm a great listener.
Now you know I need to listen,and not even that.
Our tones.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Yeah, we got to watch how you say it.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
It's how you say it yes, yes, and I can just be
transparent, because when I grewup, my mother always yelled at
me, always.
And what I did when I raised mychildren I yelled at them and
not even that you know.
I reflect back when my mamaused to yell at me for when I
(15:05):
came back late from keeping my,you know, when she kept my
children.
So when my sister used to keepmy kids, I was terrified to come
back home because guess whatthat same yelling my mother used
to do, my sister would do thesame thing, you know.
So you know I overcame thatbecause, again, we got to be
(15:26):
able to listen, we got to beable to listen, wow.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
What would you like to say to lawmakers or leaders
who have the power to addressgun violence?
I know a lot of people run foroffice city council.
What would you, what would yousay to them if you had?
You know that space and time?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
so I'm not into the politics okay I'm not into it,
right, but we just got to becompassionate and real with one
another.
It's just so much lowball stuffthat's going around here.
It's happening in every city,you know.
But stay true to yourself, youknow.
Stay true to who you are.
(16:06):
Don't allow nobody to buy you.
You know and stand on your word.
What you say, mean it.
Don't let nobody to buy you.
You know and stand on your word.
What you say, mean it.
Don't let nobody change whatyou want to say or what you got
to say.
Don't let nobody put a pricetag on what you want to say.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Be authentic with who you are.
I like it.
I like it.
You never know what room you'llbe in in 2025.
That's why I said it you neverknow.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
I mean, you never know, it's God's plan Absolutely
.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
It's God's plan, absolutely.
You never know.
So you might get that.
You know the microphone toshare your heart with lawmakers
and because of you, things willchange.
Yeah, they will.
Wow, you're an amazing person,monica, thank you.
Wow, with all that you've beenthrough in life, what would you
say about Monica Atkins today?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I love who I am today , With all the trials and
tribulations I had to go through.
But through it all I got togive God the glory because God
has kept me through all thatI've been through.
It's God that's keeping me.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
So you think you've grown, you've matured, Most
definitely yes, I am not who Iused to be.
Wow.
So how would you identifyyourself today as a person in
terms of being who you are, interms of an entrepreneur and a
family person?
How would you present yourselftoday or say if somebody was to
(17:35):
ask you about Monica Atkinsbeing who you are in?
Speaker 2 (17:38):
terms of an entrepreneur and a family person
.
How would you present yourself?
Speaker 1 (17:39):
today, if somebody was to ask you about Monica
Adkins.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
So for me, seeing me as love, okay.
Because love is action andanybody that tell you they came
across me.
I'm a woman of my word and Ishow up for everybody.
If I tell you I'm going to bethere, I'm a woman of my word
and I show up for everybody.
If I tell you I'm going to bethere, I'm there.
If I tell you I'm going to dosomething, I'm going to do.
And not even that.
And my son was into music andhe had a verse that say making
(18:08):
sure the kids in the hood beingtook care, and I'm grateful that
I'm honoring his wishes.
I'm making sure the kids in thehood being took care.
That's deep.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
So what are some of the activities you have that you
have coming up that can bringawareness to the community about
Stop the Violence?
Speaker 2 (18:29):
So you know, as of Friday, the kids are out for two
weeks for the holiday breaks.
Me and my staff are here atStop the Violence.
We are doing a two-week freecamp for 50 kids, feeding them
breakfast, lunch and dinner, andhave structured activities
planned out for them for theeight days they'll be with us.
Other than that, you know,we're excited about our 10th
(18:53):
year.
Galen is coming up in March andalso we clean the streets in
the city of Portsmouth, not justPortsmouth, norfolk.
I adopted Effingham Street.
That's the street my son wasmurdered on, and I clean it
quarterly and I'm grateful thatit's a sign out there that says
Stop the Violence in memory ofmy son, because that's the area
(19:14):
he grew up in.
Wow, wow.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
You want to talk about that gala coming up?
Sure, talk about it.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
So again, this year is our 10th year anniversary
gala, which will be here in thecity of Portsmouth at Rivers
Casino on March the 8th.
We will be here in the city ofPortsmouth, at Rivers Casino on
March the 8th.
We will be highlightingindividuals that supported us
for the year 2024.
So each year at our galas, wealways highlight and nominate
(19:44):
and award nonprofits that workwith us for that year.
Got you.
But you know I'm excited thisyear because a lot of my son's
friends are coming out.
You know I need to let themknow.
These men are doing greatthings in life, wow.
So I want to showcase them too.
Got you.
Wow, it's going to be a bigevent.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Yes, wow, wow.
So how can people reach out toyou for help and to help?
Speaker 2 (20:11):
So anytime anybody want to volunteer, they can go
to our websitewwwstoptheviolence757.com and
just complete the informationthat's at the bottom.
I always return emails, orsomebody on my staff will.
They can follow our journey onFacebook or Instagram at
(20:31):
StopTheViolence757.
Or either they can email uspersonally at StopTheViolence757
at gmailcom.
Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Before we go, is there anything you want to say
to those who may be listening,any encouragement you know you
want to share?
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Let's stop having a blind eye to things that's in
our face.
We can save our kids if we stophaving a blind eye.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
That's good.
So do you think sometimespeople don't join because it's
not happening to them?
So people become quiet, mostdefinitely Put their heads in
the sand Most definitely.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
But then when it happens, it knocks at their
front door and they want to getengaged because you know, back
then growing up your child wasmy child, my child was your
child.
We need to bring that back inthe communities today, Wow.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
That's amazing.
We really appreciate you,monica, monica being a part of
MMV Media TV.
On behalf of me and my businesspartner, no Mills, we really
appreciate you consideringcoming on.
Thank, you we thank you foryour wisdom and what you're
doing in the community.
We really appreciate that.
Thank you, thank you.
Today we have Ms Monica Atkins, the CEO of Stop
the Violence 757, on with us.
How are you today?
I'm good, I'm great, we'redelighted to have you on.
Thank you, we appreciate you.
Thank you, monica.
Here at MMB Media TV, we loveto jump right into our
interviews, to have thosegenuine conversations with
genuine people just likeyourself, who are moving the
(00:20):
needle in our culture to make adifference.
So, thanks again, you'rewelcome, absolutely.
So we love to jump right in tothese interviews by asking this
question when did you grow up?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
I grew up right here in the city of Portsmouth, in an
area called Newtown.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Newtown.
Yes, what's Newtown?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Newtown is family, newtown is discipline, newtown
is fun and Newtown is childhood.
Newtown is fun and Newtown ischildhood.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Wow, a lot of good memories.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
A lot of good memories, yes, wow.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
What's the greatest memory that you have about
Newtown?
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Being able to go to the fire hydrant and get wet
because we didn't have a pool.
So you know they used to cutthe fire hydrant on when we was
little.
We can just run through thewater and just get wet and enjoy
one another.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
So a lot of fun back then.
Yes, lots of fun.
Did you have to be in the housewhen the streetlights came on?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Oh, when the 9 o'clock bomb came on, we had to
be in the house, yeah, yes, allof us had been through that.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
You could go back to talk to your 15-year-old self.
What would you tell her?
You know about preparingherself for now?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
When I was 15.
Safe sex Never heard nobodyanswer like that Safe sex safe
sex never heard.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Nobody ask it like that safe sex, why you say that?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
because I had my first child at 13, got you and
reflected back on my life.
Now I don't regret it because Ihad a support system, which my
son will be 40 in two years andI'm able to grow with him and I
(02:12):
love it.
And I had a village, but now,when you look at 15 year olds in
this day and time, they don'thave villages anymore because
the villages are trying to betheir siblings or friends.
No, because the villages aretrying to be their siblings or
friends.
Yes, and we need more structurein the 15-year-old lives today.
Wow, wow.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Never heard nobody answer that like that.
In terms of having safe sex,yes, that's what you would tell
your younger self.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Most definitely.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Wow, wow.
You never know who's listening,never know.
It's been 10 years since youstarted.
Stop the Violence 757.
Let's talk about why did itstart.
As a matter of fact, december5th right Marks the anniversary.
Yes, December 5th, so it's been10 years.
So where did it all come from?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
So I actually started in 2013.
My cousinon turner was murderedin london oats.
Um, some individuals tried torob the house and he was in his
sleep, so he really never had achance.
So, um, I was a part of a callto action where me and, uh,
maybe 80 individuals linked upat norcom high school to try to
(03:25):
combat this violence thing thatwas starting to escalate.
This was before Stop theViolence.
This was before Stop theViolence.
Yes, so the name of this thingthat we was doing was just
called Stopping the Violence.
Again, it was just a call toaction and you know, in this
circle, you know we had a prayercircle.
My son is standing in thatcircle, my son at the age of 25,
(03:47):
he didn't really have to showup, but he did, you know,
because he knew the impact ofbeing family and the impact of
Aaron being his cousin, how hewanted to be present, not
knowing that, following year, myson was going to be a product
of what I was showing up for.
Following year, my son wasgoing to be a product of what I
(04:08):
was showing up for.
So me, being the individualthat I am, I can only speak for
myself.
My children was my world.
You know um losing my mom at 17.
I always said that my kidswould never want for anything
and I made sure that.
So you know I just felt likethey messed with the wrong child
, because that was my baby.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
You say you lost your mom at 17.
Yes, how did that impact youback then, being young?
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So it is.
It's a little emotional because.
I'm always talking about my sonwhen people just don't know.
I have suffered layers oftrauma losing my mom, losing my
dad.
But, um, so I lost my mama at17, my senior year in school.
(05:04):
I was an honor student.
Honor student all throughschool.
I dropped out.
You know I had issues with myfamily.
You know, like I said at 16, Ihad already had two kids.
So I felt, like you know, withmy aunt having custody of me,
they wanted to restructurethings that I had already was
(05:28):
what they had became a norm whenmy mama was living.
So they tried to change thatand I felt like it was too late
to try to change things that Iwas already doing when my mama
was living.
So I ended up living from houseto house.
You know, living from house tohouse.
You know, I eventually wentback to night school, got my GED
(05:52):
and I always just been anentrepreneur, you know.
So being an entrepreneur, beingvery popular in the community,
you know I was really able tothrive out here, you know.
I mean I really didn't have tostruggle.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Wow, because you always had that mindset yes, I'm
going, I really didn't have tostruggle.
Wow, you always had thatmindset yes, I'm going to make
it.
Yes, wow, wow.
So, going back to the questionstop the violence.
You said it originated 10 yearsago.
Yes, and your son was in themidst of a of a movement that
you were doing, not knowing thefollowing year that he was going
to be murdered, wow.
So talk about stop the Violencethat originated from that.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Again, you know 2013, .
It was all these individuals.
I'm a firm believer.
I say this all the timeEverybody want to be on the bus
until they see the work behindthe scene.
Talk about that, but when youdon't want to be committed to
what you say you're going to do,you eventually drop off.
Your heart is not in it andfrom maybe over 50 some people,
(06:51):
it ended up to three individualsand them three individuals.
They stood with me through thehardest times and now you know.
I'm grateful because you knowlook at Stop the Violence today,
10 years strong, but not eventhat.
From that first year,everything that we said that we
would do, we continued to dothem for 10 straight years.
(07:13):
We was committed, Wow,Consistent, Consistent, yeah,
Dedicated.
It takes that, yeah, yes, yeah,everything.
And the only time you can dothat is you're passionate about
it.
And not even that.
I didn't want another parent togo through what I went through.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
So what would you tell a parent who has lost a
child right now, who you seegoing through what you went
through back then?
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I see parents suffering all the time.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
All the time.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
On the inside.
They got to talk about it.
You have to talk about it, noteven that Some parents may think
that the only way that they cansurvive is getting justice.
I'm 10 years now and I stilldon't have justice.
Wow, but I know karma is real.
Right, I know God going tocontinue to fight my battles,
(08:06):
because a lot of times peopledon't know that karma can live
and come back to hunt us throughour children, through their
children's children.
So I always sit back because Iknow God is real.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
So communication talking about it, yes, yeah,
getting some help, becauseholding that pain in you could
die eternally and bring onsickness, a broken heart.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yes, my son's father died six months after him, and I
believe it was from a brokenheart.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Wow, I never heard that before until I had a
conversation with someone thatsaid that you can die from a
broken heart because you had somuch love for that individual.
And I never heard that before.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
But not even that too .
I had to learn this too,because God said don't love
nobody more than you.
Love me, mm, mm, you love me.
I love my son so much, so much,so much.
So in the midst of me losing myson, my daughter had a baby, my
(09:16):
son.
When I needed a babysitter, mydaughter, my son, used to come
home and babysit for me right.
So when I lost my son, it'slike that same love that I was
pouring into him I could pour itinto my granddaddy.
So I kept my daughter's babyfor maybe the straight five
(09:41):
years and I just went coldturkey and stopped keeping her
Because I wanted God to keep her.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Wow, wow, that's deep man.
People don't understand theimpact of, I guess, young people
taking someone's help,someone's life.
They don't know the impact thatit has on the other person's
family.
You know, to me, yes, it's a,it's a lot.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
You know, just even now me checking my emails from
my website.
You know people all over the757 reaches out to me.
You know their kids are beingslain in the streets, just being
shot at while driving.
You know we really got to cometogether.
You know we done lost so manyyoung men, we losing the women.
(10:27):
You know I mean enough isenough, enough is enough.
What more has to be done forpeople to come together?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
As I always say, you never know who's listening.
I know you have stopped theviolence, but how do you cope
with that loss of a loved one?
Outside of that, what do you do?
Because I know it has to beother activities that you have
to do.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
So for me I am very engaged, right.
So I worked for the Up CenterSix years.
I interned there.
You know they was pleased withmy work and you know my
supervisor.
You know she was like Monica ifa job opening ever come up it's
yours.
And I ran into her four yearslater and she said I have an
(11:16):
opening, if you want it, it'syours.
And I proved myself opening.
If you want it, it's yours.
And I proved myself again.
You know been there six yearsnow, but not even that I
facilitate two after schoolprograms at schools I attended
when I was young BrightonElementary in Parkview.
So you know things just camearound full circle.
I also I'm the facilitatorthrough Bonds and Secours, kids
(11:42):
and Grief.
I have my own business where I'ma partner with me and my cousin
and I.
We started when it started thepandemic.
You know it's called AtkinsYard Decor.
I sell my own gravy, okay, andI make detox tea.
So you know I am veryentrepreneur.
You know I gravy Okay, and Imake detox tea.
So you know I am veryentrepreneur.
You're not just Creative, notjust creative.
(12:04):
You know.
I mean back in the days.
You know I used to have all thebig pool parties, all the big
block parties and things, butnevertheless that's my past, you
know.
Yeah, I got you so, but it stuckwith you the entrepreneurship
yes yes, you, you know, yeah, Igot so but um, it stuck with you
.
Yes, yes, you gotta know how tochime it in and turn it into
something else.
You know, yeah.
So I mean I'm very engaged inthe community, very engaged, so
(12:25):
you stay active always yes andnot even that.
Um, I was started a bike clubcalled the pedal pushers, so you
know, I have encouraged peopleduring the pandemic to get up
off the couch and to get outsideand start riding the bikes.
So I do have um partnershipswith north of state.
Um, I've did two bike rideswith them.
(12:46):
Okay, in the month of june,which is a national awareness
day for gun violence, and I dobike ride for the city of
portsmouth as well, wow.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
So get your bike, get on it and ride and get the
movement.
Yes, how moving.
Yes, how often do you do those?
When is the next one?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
So it'll be next year .
It's the National AwarenessMonth, which is in June.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Got you.
So you think about People,think about why.
You said why.
What are some of the rootcauses Do you think gun violence
come from?
I know there's a lot of them,but what do you think the?
Speaker 2 (13:21):
main one is it could be food insecurities Got you,
because sometimes you knowpeople feel like they got to
feed their families right andthey want to go out here and
take things by force.
You know, survival, yeah,survival mode mode, but not even
that too.
We got to be careful how weconverse with our kids or
conversations that we havearound them, because a lot of
(13:42):
times too, kids can build upanger in them you know we got to
stop telling these kids yourfather not nothing, your dad is
your daddy's not nothing.
Say we have an issue withsomebody, certain conversations
that we shouldn't have aroundkids, and not even that, setting
the kids up for failure.
We's buying these children allthis expensive stuff when
(14:04):
they're younger.
Then, when they get older, theycan't afford it and they feel
like they're entitled to it.
They want to take it, and noteven that we need to correct
children when they're entitledto it.
You know they want to take it.
You know, and not even that weneed to correct children when
they're wrong, not just correctthem.
Also, we need to listen to ourchildren and I was always I'm
convicted of that, you know,because my daughter I thank God
(14:25):
for my daughter, because I neverwanted to listen to stuff she
had to say you know, I alwaysthought I was right, yeah, I got
you.
And she was like mom, you haveto listen to.
You know, you got to hear myside of the story.
So I'm a great listener.
Now you know I need to listen,and not even that.
Our tones.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Yeah, we got to watch how you say it.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
It's how you say it yes, yes, and I can just be
transparent, because when I grewup, my mother always yelled at
me, always.
And what I did when I raised mychildren I yelled at them and
not even that you know.
I reflect back when my mamaused to yell at me for when I
(15:05):
came back late from keeping my,you know, when she kept my
children.
So when my sister used to keepmy kids, I was terrified to come
back home because guess whatthat same yelling my mother used
to do, my sister would do thesame thing, you know.
So you know I overcame thatbecause, again, we got to be
(15:26):
able to listen, we got to beable to listen, wow.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
What would you like to say to lawmakers or leaders
who have the power to addressgun violence?
I know a lot of people run foroffice city council.
What would you, what would yousay to them if you had?
You know that space and time?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
so I'm not into the politics okay I'm not into it,
right, but we just got to becompassionate and real with one
another.
It's just so much lowball stuffthat's going around here.
It's happening in every city,you know.
But stay true to yourself, youknow.
Stay true to who you are.
(16:06):
Don't allow nobody to buy you.
You know and stand on your word.
What you say, mean it.
Don't let nobody to buy you.
You know and stand on your word.
What you say, mean it.
Don't let nobody change whatyou want to say or what you got
to say.
Don't let nobody put a pricetag on what you want to say.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Be authentic with who you are.
I like it.
I like it.
You never know what room you'llbe in in 2025.
That's why I said it you neverknow.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
I mean, you never know, it's God's plan Absolutely
.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
It's God's plan, absolutely.
You never know.
So you might get that.
You know the microphone toshare your heart with lawmakers
and because of you, things willchange.
Yeah, they will.
Wow, you're an amazing person,monica, thank you.
Wow, with all that you've beenthrough in life, what would you
say about Monica Atkins today?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I love who I am today , With all the trials and
tribulations I had to go through.
But through it all I got togive God the glory because God
has kept me through all thatI've been through.
It's God that's keeping me.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
So you think you've grown, you've matured, Most
definitely yes, I am not who Iused to be.
Wow.
So how would you identifyyourself today as a person in
terms of being who you are, interms of an entrepreneur and a
family person?
How would you present yourselftoday or say if somebody was to
(17:35):
ask you about Monica Atkinsbeing who you are in?
Speaker 2 (17:38):
terms of an entrepreneur and a family person
.
How would you present yourself?
Speaker 1 (17:39):
today, if somebody was to ask you about Monica
Adkins.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
So for me, seeing me as love, okay.
Because love is action andanybody that tell you they came
across me.
I'm a woman of my word and Ishow up for everybody.
If I tell you I'm going to bethere, I'm a woman of my word
and I show up for everybody.
If I tell you I'm going to bethere, I'm there.
If I tell you I'm going to dosomething, I'm going to do.
And not even that.
And my son was into music andhe had a verse that say making
(18:08):
sure the kids in the hood beingtook care, and I'm grateful that
I'm honoring his wishes.
I'm making sure the kids in thehood being took care.
That's deep.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
So what are some of the activities you have that you
have coming up that can bringawareness to the community about
Stop the Violence?
Speaker 2 (18:29):
So you know, as of Friday, the kids are out for two
weeks for the holiday breaks.
Me and my staff are here atStop the Violence.
We are doing a two-week freecamp for 50 kids, feeding them
breakfast, lunch and dinner, andhave structured activities
planned out for them for theeight days they'll be with us.
Other than that, you know,we're excited about our 10th
(18:53):
year.
Galen is coming up in March andalso we clean the streets in
the city of Portsmouth, not justPortsmouth, norfolk.
I adopted Effingham Street.
That's the street my son wasmurdered on, and I clean it
quarterly and I'm grateful thatit's a sign out there that says
Stop the Violence in memory ofmy son, because that's the area
(19:14):
he grew up in.
Wow, wow.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
You want to talk about that gala coming up?
Sure, talk about it.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
So again, this year is our 10th year anniversary
gala, which will be here in thecity of Portsmouth at Rivers
Casino on March the 8th.
We will be here in the city ofPortsmouth, at Rivers Casino on
March the 8th.
We will be highlightingindividuals that supported us
for the year 2024.
So each year at our galas, wealways highlight and nominate
(19:44):
and award nonprofits that workwith us for that year.
Got you.
But you know I'm excited thisyear because a lot of my son's
friends are coming out.
You know I need to let themknow.
These men are doing greatthings in life, wow.
So I want to showcase them too.
Got you.
Wow, it's going to be a bigevent.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Yes, wow, wow.
So how can people reach out toyou for help and to help?
Speaker 2 (20:11):
So anytime anybody want to volunteer, they can go
to our websitewwwstoptheviolence757.com and
just complete the informationthat's at the bottom.
I always return emails, orsomebody on my staff will.
They can follow our journey onFacebook or Instagram at
(20:31):
StopTheViolence757.
Or either they can email uspersonally at StopTheViolence757
at gmailcom.
Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Before we go, is there anything you want to say
to those who may be listening,any encouragement you know you
want to share?
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Let's stop having a blind eye to things that's in
our face.
We can save our kids if we stophaving a blind eye.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
That's good.
So do you think sometimespeople don't join because it's
not happening to them?
So people become quiet, mostdefinitely Put their heads in
the sand Most definitely.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
But then when it happens, it knocks at their
front door and they want to getengaged because you know, back
then growing up your child wasmy child, my child was your
child.
We need to bring that back inthe communities today, Wow.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
That's amazing.
We really appreciate you,monica, monica being a part of
MMV Media TV.
On behalf of me and my businesspartner, no Mills, we really
appreciate you consideringcoming on.
Thank, you we thank you foryour wisdom and what you're
doing in the community.
We really appreciate that.
Thank you, thank you.
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