The third annual Six Thirteen Community Block Party brought together families, advocates, and local organizations to address youth mental health while honoring the memory of Keshawn Fuller. More than 250 people gathered at Lake Vista Recreation Center for the event, which combined wellness activities, community resources, and a panel discussion on gun violence prevention.
Supporting Youth Mental Health
The annual gathering was created to honor the life of Fuller, a St. Petersburg teenager who died by suicide in 2023. His mother, Ricquesha Fuller, subsequently founded Keshawn’s Korner to help families navigate mental health challenges and connect young people with support before they reach a crisis point.
Saturday’s event reflected the organization’s continuing mission. Families visited resource booths, participated in wellness activities, and joined an Honor Walk recognizing loved ones lost to suicide. Community organizations shared information on counseling services, youth programs, mentoring opportunities, and family support resources available throughout Pinellas County.
Panel Discussion on Teen Gun Violence Prevention
A featured panel discussion focused on teen gun violence prevention, a topic that has received increasing attention across Tampa Bay following several recent incidents involving young people. The discussion brought together community leaders with different perspectives and experiences, including gun violence prevention advocate Maress Scott, former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion B.J. Daniels, therapist Brian Lamar Stokes, and educator Antonio Brown, founder of the Competitive Readers Coalition.
Panelists discussed the role of mentorship, mental health support, family engagement, and community investment in helping young people avoid violence and build stronger futures. The event’s dual focus on mental wellness and violence prevention reflects a growing recognition among educators, health professionals, and community leaders that the issues are often interconnected.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
