Birmingham Grants Over $70,000 to Support New Businesses and Violence Prevention

Candance Kemp, the visionary behind Anitra’s Light Foundation, expressed deep pride for her late daughter, Anitra Holloman, 21, who tragically lost her life in the September 2024 Five Points South mass shooting. Kemp’s foundation strives to uplift victims and families affected by gun violence. “My baby is smiling down on me. I truly believe she is. Anitra and I shared everything. This morning, I felt her saying, ‘Mom, I’m so proud of you.’ I established Anitra’s Light Foundation to support children and parents grieving the loss of loved ones to gun violence or prolonged incarceration. We aim to show the next generation love; that’s what they need,” she shared. Recently, Kemp received $4,000 from the “Flipping the Game: From Hustle to Enterprise” program at Miles College, plus a $10,000 scholarship for an HBCU. This initiative, in collaboration with Birmingham city officials and the IRSJA, empowered over 40 business launches, contributing $70,000 towards community safety and leadership.