Mothers Against Teen Violence (MATV)

Chris Lewis met Kendrick Lott in the summer of 1993 at St. Philip’s School in Dallas where the two worked as summer camp counselors. Chris, a Morehouse College student, had graduated from St. Mark’s School of Texas one year earlier and was home for the summer. Kendrick planned to attend the same school in the fall. But instead of becoming Morehouse brothers, the teens died together, brutally slain by two teens looking for someone to carjack. The offenders  were under the influence of illegal drugs and had a history of low-level drug trafficking.

At St. Mark’s, a premiere college prep academy, Chris had been vice-president of the Upper School Orchestra; played varsity football; ran track; and was a gifted writer and linguist. Kendrick was vice president of his senior class and had achieved the outstanding rank of Eagle Scout.

MATV was organized in response to the tragic loss of these two promising lives. Chris’ mother, activist and author Joy Strickland, is founder and CEO. She continues this work as a memorial to Chris and Kendrick, resolving that their lives were not lost in vain.