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Penny Dees Never Stopped Seeking Justice For Her Daughter Quiana Dees

Twenty six years ago, Quiana Dees was found in a vacant lot on Washington Avenue in Neptune, NJ suffering from a gun shot wound.

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Penny Dees Quiana Dees mother
Penny Dees and Unheard Voices founder

On May 1st, 1992, 12-year-old Quiana Dees snuck out of the house to go a friend’s party against her mother Penny Dees wishes.

Penny Dees worst nightmare

The next day Ms. Dees worst nightmare came true. Quiana was found unconscious in a vacant lot on Washington Avenue on the border of Neptune and Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Suffering from a gun shot wound to head, Quiana was transported to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.

Catching a killer

The murder rocked the Asbury Park and surrounding communities. Questions loomed, wondering who would commit a heinous act against a 12-year-old.

Details were grim and with the code of silence, very few people were talking.

Penny Dees laid her daughter to rest with few very answers and no suspect arrested.

A mother moved into action

While authorities worked around the clock to find Quiana’s killer, Penny Dees knew she could not remain quiet.

The fervent mother was adamant to bring her daughter’s killer to justice.

Quiana Dees Stop The Violence march

She started this plight by leading a march every first Saturday in May, around the same time Quiana was found clinging to life.

Quiana Dees March 2017

Quiana Dees March 2017, (Photo: Keith Covin, Unheard Voices Magazine)

Years would go by without any answers but Mrs. Dees never gave up her fight for justice.

During the 25th year of the annual “Stop The Violence Quiana Dees March”, in an interview with Unheard Voices, Penny Dees said she felt they were getting closer

“I feel this might be our last march … a victory march”, she said.

The Quiana Dees Story : Moving Forward Into The New Year

Quiana Dees

Dees wasn’t certain. It was something she simply proclaimed. But her eyes told the story well: the plight of a mother seeking justice and she felt in her soul they were getting closer.

The 26th year came and once again Penny Dees marched for justice for her daughter.

As long as she was still standing, Mrs. Dees was ready for the 27th march, the 28th march, and so on until her daughter’s killer(s) were brought to justice.

Arrest in connection to Quiana Dees mother

Seven months after this years march, Penny Dees would finally hear the words she’s been steadfastly marching for.

After being called into the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s satellite office in Asbury Park, authorities told the Dees family they had finally made an arrest for the murder of Quiana.

Authorities announced they arrested a 40-year-old woman,originally from Asbury Park, who resided in Henderson, North Carolina before the arrest.

The woman, who was just 13 years old at the time of the murder, was charged with aggravated manslaughter. Because of her age during the crime, authorities did not release her name.

However, an investigation by APP.com alleges the woman to be Kishia Jones. In a 2008 interview with the Asbury Park Press, Jones allegedly admitted to killing Quiana Dees, which she later recanted.

Penny Dees on moving forward

Penny Dees said she has forgiven her daughter’s killer and now wants to move forward.

She knows this road won’t be the end as the investigation will continue to unfold, but she wants to make certain this year will be one of celebration.

Instead of a ‘Justice For Quiana Dees’ march in May, Penny Dees says she plans to have a victory march.

Just like the one she proclaimed several years ago.

But now, for a mother who never gave up her fight, it has come to fruition.

Watch the video below as the founder of Unheard Voices, Keith Covin, speaks to Penny Dees about the arrest and her plans on moving forward : 


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Interviews

Meet Singer TruSoul Davis

As an up & coming artist hailing from Cleveland, Ohio’s Morris Black housing projects, TruSoul Davis is adamant to keep love in music.

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TruSoul Davis
TruSoul Davis

As an up & coming singer hailing from Cleveland, Ohio’s Morris Black housing projects, TruSoul Davis discovered his affinity for music at a young age, singing in local choirs in his youth.

TruSoul Davis discovers his voice

In his later years, he began to take music more seriously, honing in on his gifts and finding his voice. TruSoul Davis went on to release multiple singles leading up to his first major release “The Tru Experience” to widespread local & international (UK) acclaim.

After a short promotional tour that included various radio station visits & shows such as “The FreeThinkers Tour”, “Indie Acoustic Soul Live” & “Song Wars 5” to name a few, TruSoul looks to make an impact in the R&B scene by “Bringing real R&B back”, as he says.

Unheard Voices had a chance to ask TruSoul Davis some questions on his journey.

Get to know the soul singer below and see why he’s Unheard Voices featured artist of the month.

Unheard Voices: When did you fall in love with music?
TruSoul Davis: At a very young age, probably about 5 years old. I can remember back when my mother used to bring home records from her job at the local record shop and let me just “dive” deep into her collection from artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, etc.

Unheard Voices: How would you describe your style of music?
TruSoul Davis: Simply a touch of 90’s RnB with today’s twist.

Unheard Voices: What is the meaning behind your name?
TruSoul Davis: My name came from me and a friend of mine listening to music. I started to sing the song we were listening to with a lil bit more sauce then my friend was like ” man you sang that with some true soul ” so I just dropped the “e” and put it together.

Unheard Voices: What does your work aim to say?
Trusoul Davis: With my music, I sing songs to the hearts of women and the minds of men showing the up’s and downs of love and life, good and bad, and just trying to keep ” love” in music because we need it.

Unheard Voices: What or who have the greatest musical influences on you and your music?
TruSoul Davis: There are just too many to name. I can name a few to keep it brief; artists like Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Johnny Gill, Dave Hollister, Michael Jackson just to name some ALL PLAY A GREAT PART IN MY MUSIC.

Unheard Voices: What has been the biggest challenge you have encountered during your journey with music?
TruSoul Davis: The biggest challenge I have encountered is being my own worst critic, and just trusting the process.

Unheard Voices: Where do you see yourself musically in five years?
TruSoul Davis: I can’t say but what I will say is “where ever hard work and consistency gets me”

Unheard Voices: What is next in the works for TruSoul Davis?
TruSoul Davis: Dropping a video to my latest single “Wildflower” ft my homie Big Trip. Shout out my shooter Logan Kyngston also some big shows coming this summer.

Unheard Voices: What do you like to do in your free time (outside of music)?
TruSoul Davis: Outside of music I love spending time with loved ones, working out, and doing something proactive for those around me friends and strangers alike.

Unheard Voices: In closing, I would like for you to leave the Unheard Voices readers words of encouragement and inspiration, especially for those pursuing a career in music and entertainment.
TruSoul Davis: Some words of encouragement for those grinding just like me “keep ya head down stay focused stay sharp rock with the people that rock with you just like that and TRUST THE PROCESS stay consistent and results will come”.

Check out him on Reverbnation.


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Interviews

Missin Peace holds police accountable with national misconduct database

Missin Peace is the only national police misconduct database that collects formal civilian complaints against law enforcement.

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Missin Peace national police misconduct database
Envato Elements

Missin Peace is on a mission to connect the dots when it comes to police misconduct.

For decades, many Americans have suffered various forms of brutality and injustice at the hands of “bad” law enforcement officers.

With the upsurge of cell phone cameras, citizens are finally able to document their interaction with police. The unfortunate murders of
Daunte Wright, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others have galvanized the masses to demand justice.

Police officers are intended to be public servants, but what happens when the officer is accused of misconduct?

Sometimes, a civilian puts in a complaint in a step towards holding the officer accountable. But only a small percent of complaints result in the officer being disciplined —partly because the accusations are hidden.

Records of misconduct are filed away and rarely seen outside of their department.

Investigators can’t take action against corrupt officers if they are missing the pieces of the puzzle regarding stories of misconduct.

That’s where Missin Peace comes in.

How Missin Peace works

Missin Peace is a national police misconduct database that collects formal civilian complaints against law enforcement.

Missin Peace organization

 

Released in 2017, the registry offers two type of accounts.

One, it enables civilians to put the formal complaints they filed against the officer on record. Civilians are able to submit the official civilian complaint along with pictures, videos, and other accompanying documentation.

Two, the database also serves as a portal for investigative journalists, hiring managers, and civil rights attorneys to conduct research. For this type of account, users must contact Missin Peace to be granted access.

Currently, Missin Peace is the only national police misconduct database that allows citizens to follow and find any police officer’s history of complaints. The organization’s goal is to increase awareness on the database to be used as a tool for police accountability.

Check out Unheard Voices interview with Missin Peace founders:

For civilians who file their complaints on the database, personal information is stripped from the complaint, assuring complete anonymity.

The intent is to put on record police misconduct without fear of retaliation.

Traditionally, corrupt law enforcement officers have been allowed to transfer from one department to another and avoid the repercussions of their actions. To circumvent the recycling of corrupt cops, the American public and politicians finally understand the need for a centralized database of citizen complaints.

Missin Peace is here to fill in that void.

How to submit your complaint(s) in the database

If you have filed a complaint against a law enforcement officer, Missin Peace encourages you to put your complaint in the database to fill in the missing pieces. It doesn’t matter how old the complaint is, as long as it’s official.

To visit Missin Peace, check out their website and spread the word with your loved ones.


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Interviews

Rapper Chad Watson Is Poised To Become LA’s Next Rising Star

Chad Watson is a lyricist, songwriter, producer, and classically trained pianist based out of the Los Angeles area.

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Rapper Chad Watson
Chad Watson

Chad Watson is a rapper, songwriter, producer, and classically trained pianist based out of the Los Angeles area.

Who is rapper Chad Watson?

His roots began in the church at a young age where his love for music manifested. But it was only a few years ago that he started taking music seriously and he’s never looked back since.

His deep appreciation of acts like Andre 3000, transcends into his own style. He is the quinessential artist that is poised to become one of the biggest acts in the country and he’s well on his way.

With his growing buzz, he has appeared on various media platforms and now Unheard Voices.

We had the chance to chat with Chad Watson, asking the music artist questions on his journey.

Check it out below and click here to listen to his music on YouTube.

Interview


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