‘Turning Pain into Purpose’ After Losing Child to Gun Violence

By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com This is another installment in AL.com’s series “Beyond the Violence,” which explores solutions that could make Birmingham safer, healthier and happier. It has been four years since Sheree Kennon’s son was shot and killed. She is “turning her pain into a purpose,” she says, by helping other mothers. Kennon founded What About Us, a Birmingham support group for women who have lost children and other loved ones to gun violence, after her son, De’Traio Whorton, 27, was shot and killed in 2021. After one of the deadliest years in Birmingham’s history, Kennon says the work is not over as she continues to turn her grief into support and advocacy for more families than ever before. “We want to show you love. We want to show you that you’re not in this struggle alone, that you have a support team,” Kennon said. “We are all dealing with the same loss. And it’s not easy. Everyone needs support.” She has turned her nonprofit from a kitchen table effort working with three other moms who had experienced tragedy, into a project that helped more than 120 families last year. Sheree Kennon’s story: ‘I can help someone’ Kennon’s son...