WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — An Arkansas non-profit is trying to honor the memory of a West Memphis native gone too soon.
“When we just start supporting each other and stop just talking about it and start showing up for these children, then we can take the city back as a whole because one child can help turn another child around,” said Tonya Johnson Hoard at ABC24’s Let’s Talk in Bartlett.
Hoard’s nephew Quincy Suggs was murdered almost a decade ago.
“It was like waking up to a bad dream,” said Hoard, “He was like a little brother more than a nephew…Quincy was good. Quincy actually had a full-ride scholarship. He played football...He was a good child.”
Hoard said Quincy was friends with everybody, a memory Hoard wanted to hold on to and respect in a meaningful way. Three years ago, Hoard launched Quincy’s 3 H’s, a non-profit dedicated to help tackle the crime in the Mid-South.
“I started this in memory of him to carry out his legacy as something positive, hoping somebody else’s family won’t have to go through what we went through,” said Hoard.
The non-profit has been working to change the lives of as many young women as possible by providing mentorship and helping them hold each other accountable.
“School is not for everybody,” said Hoard. “They can also see something that they don’t see in school that they can possibly get a trade for or become an entrepreneur like myself.”
At the same time, the non-profit leaves the door open for parents, guardians or anyone wanting to help change a child’s life.
“A lot of people just need support…I want the parents to come out. Even if they don’t believe in themselves, give the children a chance,” said Hoard.
At the moment, Quincy’s 3 H’s runs out of Crittenden County, but Hoard hopes to expand it to Tennessee in the near future.