LISC Jacksonville’s executive director, Dr. Irvin Cohen, shares his home community’s grief and anguish in the aftermath of the racist mass shooting of Black residents there on August 26. As Cohen writes, we must “honor those who lost their lives by redoubling our efforts to actively foster a community rooted in equality, tolerance and unity.”
In the wake of the heinous act of violence that was committed in the New Town community over the weekend, our hearts are heavy with grief for the three innocent lives lost and the deep pain felt by the entire Jacksonville community. We stand alongside the families of the victims, and our hearts will always be with our African American neighbors and all community members deeply affected by this irretrievable act of violence.
This tragedy reminds us of the importance of unity, compassion, understanding and a collective commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every member of our community. We sadly remain at a critical juncture, and we must ask ourselves are we truly our brother's keeper.
Hate has no place here, and we must remain vigilant in protecting our freedom and our peace that everyone in this country is promised. Simply put, love must win the day.
As we deeply mourn the lives lost, and double down on our commitment to move our community forward, let us not in our moment of sadness forget to honor those who lost their lives by redoubling our efforts to actively foster a community rooted in equality, tolerance, and unity.
About the Author
Dr. Irvin PeDro Cohen, Executive Director of LISC Jacksonville
Dr. Cohen brings over 15 years of experience in community development to LISC’s Jacksonville office, with a track record of leadership in programmatic development to impact challenged communities. As executive director, Dr. Cohen leads LISC's local staff and programs focused on catalyzing economic opportunity for local resident. A Jacksonville, FL native, he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of North Florida, an MBA in Marketing from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, NC and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Non Profit Management from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.