JLD Community Solutions to Host Cookout, Candlelight Vigil June 6
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JLD Community Solutions to Host Gun Violence Awareness Month Community Cookout & Candlelight Vigil on June 6
Free community event will include food, music, games, resources, gun safety information, a memory wall honoring lives lost to gun violence, and a vigil honoring lives lost to gun violence
Lexington, NC — Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — JLD Community Solutions invites the community to attend its Gun Violence Awareness Month Community Cookout & Candlelight Vigil on Saturday, June 6, at 900 Dixie St, Lexington, NC (open field across the street from Files Chapel Baptist Church).
The free community gathering will bring together families, neighbors, local vendors, community organizations, and volunteers for an afternoon of food, fellowship, remembrance, safety awareness, and hope.
The event will include free hamburgers and hotdogs while supplies last, music, games, community resources, gun safety information, free gun locks while supplies last, cooling towels, and a candlelight vigil honoring lives lost to gun violence.
“Gun violence has touched too many families, including our own,” said Dia Nyarko, Executive Director of JLD Community Solutions. “This event is about creating space for remembrance, healing, safety, and community connection. We want people to feel seen, supported, and reminded that change begins when community shows up together.”
As part of Gun Violence Awareness Month, JLD Community Solutions is also launching a Virtual Memory Wall, an ongoing online space where community members can submit the name, photo, and/or message of a loved one impacted by gun violence. The memory wall is intended to serve as a lasting tribute and a space for reflection, remembrance, and love.
Community members will also be invited to tune in to a special YouTube conversation featuring a local gun range professional discussing firearm safety, responsible storage, and practical ways families and communities can help prevent tragedy.
JLD Community Solutions is also inviting local vendors, nonprofits, churches, resource providers, and community organizations to participate in the June 6 event. There is no vendor fee this year. Vendors and organizations are encouraged to attend, connect with the community, share information, offer resources, provide giveaways, or sell products.
Volunteers are also needed to support check-in, food service, games, resource tables, setup, breakdown, and general event support.
Event Details
What: Gun Violence Awareness Month Community Cookout & Candlelight Vigil
When: Saturday, June 6 @ 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: 900 Dixie St, Lexington, NC (open field across the street from Files Chapel Baptist Church)
Cost: Free and open to the community
Vendor RSVP: https://form.jotform.com/JLD_support/gun-violence-awareness-month-commun
Volunteer Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44ADA629A4FEC07-63899059-gunviolence
Virtual Memory Wall: https://form.jotform.com/JLD_support/vigil-honoree-submission-form
YouTube Conversation: Coming soon!
For more information, to participate as a vendor, or to volunteer, visit www.jldscholarshipfund.org/community-cookout-candlelight-vigil or contact Dia Nyarko at dianyarko@jldscholarshipfund.org.
About JLD Community Solutions
JLD Community Solutions, also known as the Johnny Leroy Dawkins Jr. Scholarship Fund, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in honor of Johnny Leroy “Lee-Lee” Dawkins Jr., whose life was taken by gun violence. The organization exists to turn pain into purpose by empowering young men of color through scholarships, leadership development, community engagement, and initiatives that support healing, safety, and opportunity.
Media Contact
Dia Nyarko
Executive Director, JLD Community Solutions
Email: dianyarko@jldscholarshipfund.org
Phone: 336-695-9129
Website: www.jldscholarshipfund.org
