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Bailey Elizabeth Rogers
Erica 'Minnow' Jones stands with a portrait of her daughter Whitney Brown, and the door that led to her bedroom growing up. This door is signed and written on by Whitney and all of her friends, many of whom have also died as a result of gun violence. Since Whitney's death, Minnow has become a loud voice in the community working with
youth, fighting against gun violence, and helping other parents who have found themselves dealing with the gun violence death of a child.
Erica 'Minnow' Jones and her grandson, Ja'Keem Jones, hold hands in front of their daughter and Mom Whitney's signature on her old bedroom door. Minnow has had custody of Ja'Keem, and raised him, since Whitney died when
he was just one years old. Minnow said that it can be hard seeing Ja'Keem everyday, since he is the spitting image
of his mother, but seeing him as a now 14 year old young black man is an honor. Watching him grow, and continue
to become the man he wants to be, is a bright spot in Minnow’s life.
Erica 'Minnow' Jones and her grandson, Ja'Keem Jones, look at daughter and Mom Whitney's old bedroom door. Whitney always had motherly instincts, and was what Minnow called the “mother hen” with her siblings. She was the same way with Minnow, always worrying about her and making sure she was eating right and healthy. She got this
trait from her mother, who always had an open door at home, taking in any of her children’s friends when they were having trouble or needed help. Minnow absolutely passed her giving spirit on to Whitney.
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