Aaron Burns | Staff Writer
College is a time for people to explore the world. They get an education, experience life, and find their passions. One student at Buena Vista University (BVU) has certainly found her passion and is already on the path of pursuing it.
Senior Dominque Daily is a co-founder for the organization Love Out Loud. Love Out Loud, often abbreviated “LOL,” is an organization that is trying to stop violence in Chicago. The organization is aiming to educate, empower, and inspire teenagers in violent neighborhoods to rise above and to live a more fulfilling life than resort to violence.
Daily worked with Dorshanay Williams, a childhood friend from her home in Chicago, to start the organization in May 2012. The two wanted to help teens that felt like they were abandoned and vulnerable to getting involved in violent acts. After brainstorming, Daily and Williams thought of Love Out Loud as a name and stuck with it.
“I really have a heart for service,” Daily said.
On Aug. 10, 2012, Love Out Loud teamed up with another non-profit organization, Kids Off the Block, for their kick-off event, “Stop the Violence.” The event was held for teenagers to attend and learn how to stay out of the violence. The atmosphere during the event was a carefree, safe environment. Entertainment included speaking groups, poetry and slam poetry groups, a man on stilts, other novelty entertainment performances, and inflatable attractions for younger children. At the event, school supplies for 300 students were also given out.
The next event planned for Love Out Loud is set to take place in late Spring 2013. Like “Stop the Violence,” the next event is going to be a teen summit that educates teenagers on how to recognize violence and how to have a voice to make a difference. The summit will have interactions with the mayor of Chicago to help point out violent neighborhoods and how to make a difference.
Love Out Loud is currently based in Chicago, but they hope to expand nationwide. The organization already has ties with BVU, having four other BVU students/alumni involved. The ten-member team that makes up Love Out Loud is as follows: Daily (BVU, cofounder); Williams (Olive Harvey College, cofounder); Ryan Sheetz (BVU); Sheldon Paramore (BVU); Xochitl De Anda (BVU); Andrea Boyd (BVU alum); Brian McCain (Southern Baton Rouge); Anthony Thomas (Penn Foster); LaKesia Haywood (Olive Harvey College); and Chinika Terrel.
Connect with Love Out Loud via Twitter: @LOL_Chicago. Also, check out their homepage: www.loveoutloud.tumblr.com.
Graphic courtesy of Kelsen M Ganeku (top)
Graphic courtesy of Cassandra Forsythu (bottom)
