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Meet the Team Behind the #OurSonTrayvon Campaign Working to Raise $50K to End Senseless Gun Violence

Liberated People sells hoodies to benefit the Trayvon Martin Foundation.

A little over five years ago, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by a Florida man who identified himself as a neighborhood watch volunteer. Although he stood trial, George Zimmerman was not punished for the senseless killing of Martin on Feb. 26, 2012.

On the five year anniversary, Michaela Angela Davis and actor Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire) introduced the world to the #OurSonTrayvon campaign. Akinnagbe founded Liberated People, a lifestyle brand meant to inspire and cause social justice change. As part of their campaign, Akinnagbe and Davis designed hoodies inspired by the one worn by Trayvon Martin. 

The shooting of Martin seemed to be the beginning of many public killings of unarmed, Black men in the country. When Zimmerman was acquitted in 2013, mass protests — much like the Black Lives Matter protests we see today — occurred nationwide.

Although five years have passed since Martin was gunned down, the call to protect Black men and women from gun violence has remained stronger than ever.

Liberated People recently announced a new goal of selling 5,000 hoodies and raising $50,000 to be shared with The Trayvon Martin Foundation, a social justice organization founded by Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. 

“By wearing the hoodie, we make Trayvon visible, and by extension we make Black boys visible, as boys, as our precious sons,” Davis said in a statement sent to BET. “Our goal is to build a village of 5,000 strong Trayvons.”

Several celebrities have sported the Trayvon hoodie to support Liberated People and The Trayvon Martin Foundation. 

  • Tracee Ellis Ross

  • Kerry Washington

  • Gabrielle Union

  • Issa Rae

  • Dwyane Wade

    Sales from the hoodies will be given to the Trayvon Martin Foundation in order to help fight and end senseless gun violence in Black communities. 

    "5,000 hoodies would also represent $50,000 for The Trayvon Martin Foundation," Liberated People wrote in a statement. "Build with us, for all our sons."

    You can purchase your "Our Son Trayvon" hoodie here.  

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