Most of us don't find out what our callings are in life until we are well into adulthood, if at all. Christian Kimbrough, at the tender age of 13 years old, was thrown into finding out what his life purpose was, unexpectedly. On December 18th, 2005, Kimbrough became a victim to senseless gun violence when his life was threatened by a bullet wound to the head. Today, he is using his story to impact youth nationwide and has become a CEO in his own right.
In the spring of 2015, Kimbrough kickstarted Revive Minds, an initiative promoting gun violence prevention, and curated a website dedicated to its cause later that year. In September, he started a clothing line that includes goods for purchase and promotion of its namesake.
On December 15th, 2015, the tenth anniversary of the shooting, Kimbrough underwent his first public speaking event under Revive Minds, where he spoke to junior high school students in the Little Rock area about the importance of education and prevention of gun violence in communities across the nation.
Here's a Q & A and inside look on Kimbrough's way of executing his calling and promoting peace in our communities:
What inspired you to start Revive Minds?
Well it all stems from December 18th, 2005. That's the day I was shot in the head with a .38 caliber pistol. I was told I'd never walk, talk or move my right side again. I was 13 years old and in the 8th grade, I wasn't gang affiliated, had never been suspended from school... I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Now, 11 years later, I'm speaking to kids about gun safety and the dangers of what a bullet can do. I want kids to know my story and hope they'll grasp something from it.
What is your mission for Revive Minds?
The mission of Revive Minds is to develop programs that create youth advocates, and to provide platforms for young people to take a stance against gun violence and focus on healthy decision making.
What are your plans for 2016 as far as sales and the business aspect of Revive Minds?
I just want the message to be heard. We're working on getting the message in schools as we speak, I just went to Little Rock this past weekend to work with my close friend, Kayley Chambers, to finalize my business plan and structure things more for my non-profit. I plan to do more speaking engagements, recruit more brand ambassadors, which equals more sales. I hope to get young people to open to share their own stories and use Revive Minds as a platform to do just that.
What do you want Revive Minds to tell the world?
I want everyone to look at my situation and learn from it. Gun safety education is critical because 48 children and teens are shot each day, whether the incidents are intentional or by accident. The main focus is on gun safety but there are young people who aren't going through those things that I did. So we're also trying to hit on topics such as depression, mental abuse, physical abuse, bullying and so forth.
Who does Revive Minds represent?
The youth, without a doubt. I feel as though the kids are everything. Coming from someone who used to laugh at the saying 'the kids are the future,' now I really see it differently. The brand is so much bigger than clothing, it's a brand with purpose. From public speaking, to volunteering, to the nonprofit, to books, etc. I'm trying to create an army of young leaders who desire to live in there purpose and can inspire others to do the same.
Revive Minds is a constantly growing, positive business founded from a basis of ingenuity. For more information follow:
Facebook: ReviveMinds
Instagram:@ReviveMinds
Twitter:@ReviveMinds1
