I never set out to be a politician. I’m just a person who genuinely cares about Tennessee kids and families. And like any mom, I’m doing what I need to do.

Over the last several years, I’ve worked as a gun violence prevention advocate with the Akilah Dasilva Foundation. Though heartbreaking work, it’s been a privilege to be a voice for gun violence victims and survivors. I want nothing more than to be able to send my children to school without worrying about their safety. But my children, my former students, and your children are part of the lockdown generation.

It’s a critical time in Tennessee, and Tennesseans are demanding change. But change can’t happen when those in power are unmoved by tragedies in our community such as the Waffle House and Covenant mass shootings. If kids getting killed at school won’t prompt our elected officials to take meaningful action, nothing will.