The two loves of Atatiana Jefferson, science and video gaming, unite in nonprofit
Atatiana Jefferson’s siblings wanted to do two things: keep the legacy of their sister alive and uplift the community that gave them love.
They named their dream The Atatiana Jefferson Project, and it was no accident the nonprofit was born in Fort Worth and launched on Juneteenth.
“Juneteenth is about being liberated and being free,” said Amber Carr, Jefferson’s sister. “Today is a great day to do this. It is very symbolic.”
Jefferson’s siblings dreamed they could get children in the community to embrace science, technology, engineering and math studies, also called STEM, by helping them learn the science behind the video games they have already invested hundreds of hours playing and an untold number of dollars obtaining, said Ashley Carr, another of Jefferson’s sisters.
Gaming and science were Jefferson’s loves, Ashley Carr said. Jefferson, 28, was living in Fort Worth after completing her pre-medical studies at Xavier University in Louisiana when she died.
Jefferson was helping her older sister and mother, who were ill at the time, and working on paying down college debt and attending medical school, when she was shot by a police officer, family members have said.
Jefferson was playing video games with her nephew in October when a police officer who was called by a neighbor to do a welfare check came through the backyard and shot her through the back window of her home, according to authorities.
.jpg "Atantiana Jefferson (b).jpg")
Aaron Dean, the former police officer who shot her, awaits a pending murder trial.
As the nonprofit develops, Jefferson’s sisters said they hope police officers in the community will join their effort, and get to know the families and children who take advantage of the education opportunity being provided, Ashley Carr said.
“Once you have met these families, you will not perceive us as a threat,” Ashley Carr said.
There is also an economic component to the dream, she said. Children can grow into careers playing, testing, developing, coding and illustrating video games.
“We want to educate them, inspire them, and help them grow in college so more people can be successful,” Ashley Carr said. “I have co-workers who have kids on full rides to college who are on gaming teams. And while you are in college you can get a percentage of the game sales.”
Gamers and video game enthusiasts are spending hours watching people play games on YouTube, and it is their hope to also maintain a YouTube channel, said Pamela Grayson, a member of the nonprofit’s board.
“If Atatiana was still alive, she would love all this,” Grayson said. “She would have been a great mentor to all of the children.”
The nonprofit is gathering funding, and supplies such as games, gaming chairs, computers and television monitors, Grayson said.
Those who want to help can connect with The Atatiana Project on its Facebook page or other social media platforms.
