Go to Living for We, Season 2: Keep Ya Head Up

Living for We, Season 2: Keep Ya Head Up

Every bullet fired creates two victims: the person who is shot and the one pulling the trigger. It’s a traumatic experience for both; the victim may lose their life, and the perpetrator may lose their freedom. This season, we're asking what can be done to end cycles of violence in cities like Cleveland, Ohio when the shooters value their reputation over their own lives and see innocent bystanders as collateral damage.

S2E7: A Tale of Two Clevelands

May 6, 2025 | S:2 E:7

Lorenzo Roberson is a typical 10-year-old in a lot of ways. But like so many kids affected by gun violence, he’s carrying a heavy burden. In this episode, Lorenzo opens up about living in fear after losing his best friend to a shooting. He and his older brother, Angelo, talk about how unsafe they feel just walking the dog or going to the corner store in their neighborhood.

The loss hit Lorenzo hard — so hard that he decided to speak up at a community meeting held by the mayor. Dressed in a navy-blue suit, he walked to the front of the room and shared what’s on his mind.

“Will I have a chance to survive?” he asked. “Will my life be cut short too?”

The mayor hugged him and urged the community to step up. Sonya Prior-Jones, Cleveland’s Chief of Youth & Family Success, also joined the conversation. She pointed out that the mayor can’t solve this alone — it’s going to take everyone. That includes folks, businesses, and organizations in the “other” Cleveland — the one where kids can walk around safely — to come together and help build real, lasting change.

View our full list of resources here.

Have you or someone you know been impacted by gun violence? Or do you have any thoughts about what was shared in today’s episode? Share your story for a chance to be featured on the show!