There is light within darkness. Positivity can be created in wake of a tragedy. For activist Aaliyah Stewart, she experienced two family tragedies that she used to spark long-lasting positive change in her community. In 2014, Stewart started the ASW Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to the end of gun violence.
Stewart, who grew up in Gary, recalled some of the fond memories from her childhood.
“I was very grateful for growing up there,” Stewart said. “We had a little candy store we’d go to, and everyone was like a big family. It was really cool to grow up knowing all the neighbors and that everyone looking out for one another.”
While she was still in high school, two of her brothers were killed due to gun violence. This tragedy crushed not only her, but her entire family. Stewart took the raw emotion of these tragedies and decided to lead a call to action. Stewart spearheaded a campaign to better the community she grew up in.
“After my brothers were killed, I wanted to make a difference in my community so that tragedies like the ones I went through didn’t happen to others,” Stewart said.
Stewart’s ambitions have grown bigger since the ASW Foundation took off. Her work in the Gary community has been rightfully awarded. She has won the Peace Activist of the Year Award, the G.L.O.W. (Girls Leading Our World) Award, the Project Strong Woman Award from Australia, City of Gary Youth Events Award, and Rose Volunteer Award.
Stewart’s ambitions expand even farther than just her foundation. She has appeared on numerous TV shows across the country, including, “Windy City Live” (ABC7), CBS News, and WGN. The mission behind her cause transcends state lines and regional divides. Simply put, Stewart wants to make a difference, no matter the location.
In 2019, Stewart announced that she would help build a youth center in Gary. The youth center would provide a safe space for Gary’s youth, where they can learn leadership skills and have a place to be themselves. The youth center is the newest accomplishment of Stewart’s “I Am Them” campaign.
“I Am Them means I am the youth,” Stewart said. “I want kids to know that they can be themselves and shouldn’t worry about the darkness in our world.”
Although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the opening of the youth center, Stewart is optimistic for the opening of the youth center.
“Even though things got pushed back because of the pandemic, we’re really excited to open the Hope Center,” Stewart said. “I can’t wait for the Hope Center to be a beacon in the community. The kids will have a safe place to go and be surrounded by supportive people.”
To learn more about the “I Am Them” campaign or to donate to the ASW Foundation, Inc. please visit their website at https://iamthem.org/.