On Sunday about 14 churches partnered to talk about the epidemic of African-American male homicides in Fort Wayne.
The city-wide event was called My Brother’s Keeper and its part of The Fort Wayne UNITED initiative.
Churches came together for the unique event by focusing on one issue and reflecting on the same scripture.
The message focused on the violence and homicides that occur in the city and how the African-American community is disproportionately affected.
Director of Fort Wayne UNITED, Iric Headley attended Wallen Baptist Church, he spoke about witnessing gun violence at a age and his experiences as a black man. He told the audience homicides are the leading cause of death for black males ages 10 to 24 in Fort Wayne and says the audience was shocked.
“So many people in the audience today and in many of the churches around the city just aren’t impacted by the epidemic of homicide that impacts us as African-American males. So I think there is a shock factor but I also believe that a lot of the audience becomes interested and convicted that they really possible ignored this issue throughout the years,” said Headley.
Headley hopes to continue My Brother's Keeper Sundays in various churches throughout the year.
