Nonprofit honors Ajike Owens, supports families impacted by gun violence

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OCALA, Fla. — Ajike “AJ” Owens’ family has launched the Standing in the Gap Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families affected by gun and racial violence.

The initiative follows the sentencing of Susan Lorincz, the woman convicted of killing Owens through a closed apartment door in 2023. Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, says the 25-year prison sentence marked a turning point in their healing journey.

Ajike Owens Nonprofit Turns Tragedy to Purpose

In June 2023, a neighbor fatally shot 35-year-old Ajike Owens, a Black mother of four, through a closed apartment door. The fatal dispute began when her children told her their neighbor had thrown roller skates at them. Lorincz, who is white, claimed self-defense under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. A jury found her guilty of manslaughter.

Purpose

Dias and cofounder Takema Robinson created the Standing in the Gap Fund to support families in crisis. “What began as a response to unimaginable tragedy has grown into a movement for justice, healing and collective care,” Robinson told CNN.

Grants

The fund offers rapid-response grants to families after gun and racial violence. It will also provide money to activist groups and artists promoting social justice.

Families can apply online and funds can be distributed within two weeks. The money will cover legal fees, funeral costs, relocating, and other expenses that may occur while a family is grieving.

Ajike Owens Mother’s Mission

Owens’ death echoes other high-profile killings, including those of Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin, Black victims whose deaths stemmed from perceived threats and were later justified by their assailants under self-defense or “Stand Your Ground” laws. Each case sparked national outrage and renewed calls for reform.

Owens, a devoted mother of four, was known for her warmth, energy, and commitment to her children. She juggled work and parenting with determination, often cheering from the sidelines as a football mom and striving to build a better future for her family.

Dias believes her daughter’s story now stands for something greater: a call to action, a symbol of love louder than hate, and a legacy rooted in transformation rather than tragedy.

Standing Together, Healing Together

The Standing in the Gap Fund aims to ensure Owens’ legacy is defined not by tragedy, but by transformation. “Our message is simple,” Dias said to CNN. “When we stand together, we heal together”.

To learn more visit Standing in the Gap Fun’s official website.