ABOUT US
The entire country was propelled into mourning after the senseless death of 6-year-old King Carter in Miami, FL, whose innocence was viciously and savagely seized from him at the pusillanimous hand of yet another coward individual in possession of a firearm. Unfortunately, King is added to an alarming, disturbing statistic of lives taken too soon rather than on a list for summer camp, pop warner football or other activities designed to develop and cultivate the minds of our youth and children of today.
Funeral services were entrusted to: Wright & Young Funeral Home of Miami, FL. Mr. Terry Wright was personally impacted by this tragedy and resolved that day, February 20, 2016 that “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” and vowed his personal allegiance to uniting communities of all mankind by urgently responding to echoes of tears bellowing from the souls of powerless survivors like the Carter Family and so many others.
In a call to action, Wright, along with Mr. Alexander C. Wynn, III, President of the National Funeral Directors & Mortician Association, Inc. launched a movement: “Don’t Take My Life…Let Me Live." The purpose of Don’t Take My Life…Let Me Live movement is to be a catalyst for pastors, community activists, law enforcement, elected officials, business owners, etc. to unite as a reverberating, resounding organization with an unyielding and uncompromising commitment to take action against this epidemic of gun violence and other corruptions of hate and injustice.
The inaugural event was held on Sunday, June 19, (Father’s Day) 2016 where community residents, elected officials, law enforcement agencies and supporting organizations joined South Florida funeral directors from the State of Florida and participated in a prodigious motorcade making several scheduled stops at local churches where pastors prayed and offered words of encouragement pleading for unity and peace in our communities. This momentous unveiling was concluded by a heartfelt plea of armistice and peace by the poignant voice of Ms. Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late Trayvon Martin. Nonsensical violence is an issue that impacts every community across this nation. With your help, we can continue to lead the efforts of “Don’t Take My Life…Let Me Live” and commit to end this senseless violence in our neighborhoods.
Co-Founder of Dont Take My Life..Let Me Live | Alexander C. Wynn, III
Alexander C. Wynn, III was born in Sanford, Florida to the proud parents of the late Alexander and Ella Wynn. He attended public school in Seminole County and is a graduate of Crooms High School, Sanford, Florida.
Seeking his ultimate dream to become a mortician, Alexander enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College, where he received his Associate of Science degree in Mortuary Science. He also attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with a minor in Business Administration. He received his formal mortuary training at the Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary in Sanford, Florida, Zanders Funeral Home in Apopka, Florida and RJ Gainous Funeral Home in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 1995, Alexander purchased the RJ Gainous Funeral Home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida and renamed it Gainous Wynn Funeral Home, Inc.
In 1996, he became Co-Owner with Gail A. Thomas-DeWitt of the Gail & Wynn's Mortuary, Inc. in Orlando, Florida. In 2003, Alexander became the sole proprietor of the RJ Gainous Funeral Home in Daytona Beach, Florida. Alexander is retired from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice as a Governor Consultant. His unwavering faith in God is exemplified by his membership at Allen Chapel in Sanford, Florida and Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Daytona Beach, Florida.
He is actively engaged in Community and Civic affairs in the following organizations: Council on Crime Delinquency, Who's Who among Professionals, 100 Black Men, Kiwanis International, Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, South East Volusia Chamber of Commerce, Life member NAACP, Ross Lodge # 19 AM/FM, Past Commissioner and Chairman of the Sanford Housing Authority, 2013 Embalmer of the Year for the National Chapter of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, 2013-2015 Vice-President of NFDMA, 1999 Florida Mortician of the Year, Past Chairman of the Board of Florida Morticians Association, Past President of Florida Morticians Association, Past District V Governor of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Southern Regional Vice-President of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Epsilon Nu Delta-Alpha Gamma Chapter (FL, GA and AL), Member of Independent Funeral Directors Association and 100 Black Men of Funeral Service. His achievements during the years have been many.
For Funeral Directors, our profession is undoubtedly a calling – a relentless devotion to a sacred and revered Art and Science. For Alexander, this notion is most certainly true. A passion that was ignited before he was an adolescent. ~ An innate desire that has never wavered ~ but only burned stronger.
Alexander C. Wynn, III is an industry leader and an outstanding ambassador for a new generation of funeral service professionals. His leadership objective during his tenure as President of this great Association is Commitment!
Director Of Communications | Kaylah Reid
Heading our Public Relations Department is Benedict College’s Kaylah Reid who hails from the metro Atlanta area. Reid graduated Cum Laude in 2015 with her Bachelors in Social Work. She continued her academic studies pursuit at Barry University. Impressively Kaylah earned her Master’s in Social Work after successfully completing their intense seven month “Advance Standing” program where she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class.
While in the prominent program at Barry: Kaylah was quickly noticed by several major companies for her acute organizational as well as communication skills, and after careful consideration she finally accepted the position of Legislative Aide for State House Representative, Chris Hart in Columbia, South Carolina.
Kaylah is recognized for her vivid and vibrant creativity as well as her distinctive responsiveness to detail. She is quickly being recognized in the industry as one of the leading young innovators in this rapidly growing communications field.
Kaylah leads a team of dedicated professionals here at the headquarters for Don’t Take My Life…..Let Me Live as she diligently and meticulously handles all media press kits, interview scheduling, press conference scheduling, developing and creating networking events etc. Additionally her team effectively manages and maintains all social media outlets.
Media Director | Jill Tracey
Journalist, Media Doyenne, Lifestyle Curator. Jill Tracey lives a big and diverse life. Radio talk show host, culture critic with the 411 and media doyenne with the distinction of being voted one of South Florida’s most popular personalities. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Jill’s career began as a South Beach gossip columnist, then publicist which led to radio at South Florida landmark stations, WMBM, WEDR (99 Jamz) and WHQT-HOT105.
At the height of her career at WEDR, Jill along with half of the on air staff was let go and during this unceremonious break from radio, Jill became a reality TV personality on the Emmy award winning NBC daytime reality show Starting Over. “Iyanla Fix My Life” star and noted author Iyanla Vanzant became Jill’s life coach on the show whom she says indeed helped her fix her life, start over and learn one of life’s most valuable lessons.
Her mother’s illness brought Jill back to Miami and James T. brought her back to radio. Miss Jill Tracey is now the host of HOT 105 venerable community affairs program Hot Talk with Jill Tracey which she has taken from 11h place in the ratings to #1 in less than a year. In addition she continues to bring listeners the 411 on News, Entertainment, Lifestyle Fashion and Food middays on the James T Show.
Jill says, “My experience shows me that there's nothing more powerful, more supportive, than people working together. “There's so much real and made up to showing women being catty towards each other. The meaner, the better. I want no part of that. That is not reality. I want to empower people - women particularly, to nurture and be thankful for the love relationships provide. An empowered woman will change her home and happy homes will change the world. I am using all of my media platforms to be a voice in this conversation and working towards these goals."