About
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Say Their Names Monuments was founded from a place no parent, spouse, sibling, child, or loved one should ever have to know—the pain of loss and the struggle to ensure a life is not forgotten.
Our founder, Dr. Ashley McKenzie Smith, experienced the devastating loss of her son, Jaylin McKenzie, on December 16, 2022. In the midst of grief, s
Say Their Names Monuments was founded from a place no parent, spouse, sibling, child, or loved one should ever have to know—the pain of loss and the struggle to ensure a life is not forgotten.
Our founder, Dr. Ashley McKenzie Smith, experienced the devastating loss of her son, Jaylin McKenzie, on December 16, 2022. In the midst of grief, she discovered something that many impacted families experience: once the headlines fade, the public attention disappears, but the pain remains. Families are often left to navigate grief, unanswered questions, trauma, isolation, and a complicated journey toward healing and justice.
Rather than allowing that pain to silence her, Ashley transformed it into purpose.
In 2024, Say Their Names Monuments was created to ensure that every life matters, every story deserves to be told, and every family deserves to know they are not alone.
Why We Exist
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Too often, people become statistics.
A name appears in the news for a few days, a social media post is shared, and then the world moves on.
We believe every life deserves to be remembered beyond a headline.
Say Their Names Monuments exists to preserve the memories, stories, and legacies of individuals impacted by systemic injustice, violence
Too often, people become statistics.
A name appears in the news for a few days, a social media post is shared, and then the world moves on.
We believe every life deserves to be remembered beyond a headline.
Say Their Names Monuments exists to preserve the memories, stories, and legacies of individuals impacted by systemic injustice, violence, tragedy, and preventable loss. Through public remembrance, education, advocacy, and community engagement, we help ensure that lives are honored and lessons are never forgotten.
Our Mission
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Our Mission
Say Their Names Monuments honors lives impacted by systemic injustice through remembrance, education, advocacy, healing, and community action.
We create spaces where stories are preserved, families are supported, communities are educated, and future generations can learn from the past.
What We Do
More Than A Monument
Our Mission
Through our programs and initiatives, we:
Honor lives through monuments, memorial displays, and remembrance projects.
Support impacted families through resources, education, and community connections.
Educate communities through town halls, workshops, toolkits, and public awareness campaigns.
Promote healing through storytelling, remembrance
Through our programs and initiatives, we:
Honor lives through monuments, memorial displays, and remembrance projects.
Support impacted families through resources, education, and community connections.
Educate communities through town halls, workshops, toolkits, and public awareness campaigns.
Promote healing through storytelling, remembrance events, and grief-centered initiatives.
Advocate for accountability, transparency, and meaningful change.
Preserve legacies so future generations understand the lives behind the names.
More Than A Monument
More Than A Monument
More Than A Monument
A monument is more than a structure.
It is a promise.
A promise that a life mattered. A promise that a story will not be erased. A promise that future generations will remember. A promise that families will not have to grieve alone.
Every name represented through Say Their Names Monuments represents a person who was loved, valued, and important to someone.
Our Vision
More Than A Monument
More Than A Monument
We envision a future where remembrance leads to understanding, understanding leads to action, and action leads to change.
A future where families receive support instead of silence. A future where communities value every life. A future where stories are preserved with dignity and respect. A future where no family feels forgotten.
Join Us
Join Us
Join Us
Whether you are an impacted family member, volunteer, community partner, donor, sponsor, advocate, or supporter, you are part of this movement.
Together, we can honor lives, preserve stories, support families, and build a legacy that will continue for generations to come.
Because every name has a story.
And every story deserves to be remembered.