By Laura Onyeneho
Toni Cormier’s world changed forever last year when she received the devastating news that her son had been killed in an act of senseless gun violence.
That tragedy has sent her on a journey she never expected, but one that has given her a powerful new mission, protecting other Black mothers and families from the heartbreak she endures daily.
As the founder of A Papa’s Hand and the Texas State Lead of Voices of Black Mothers United, Cormier has emerged as a force in the fight against gun violence. She uses her voice and advocacy to advocate for the voiceless.
Cormier’s grief turned to action shortly after her son Jeremy Johnson’s death when she realized she couldn’t sit back and let other families suffer the same unimaginable pain. She founded A Papa’s Hand The Yung H Southlegend Foundation in January 2023, a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting families of victims of gun violence, providing them with much-needed resources, support groups, and avenues for healing.
For Cormier, the organization’s name symbolizes the protective, guiding hand she wished could have shielded her son from the world’s dangers.
“My son’s life was stolen from us, and while that pain will never go away, I have to use this experience to help others. If I can stop even one mother from going through this, I have done my job,” Cormier said, her voice filled with sorrow and determination.
In July 2022, Cormier was with her 11-year-old granddaughter, waiting for Johnson to take her swimming. But he never showed up. Later that day, she received the devastating news from her son’s girlfriend: Jeremy had been murdered by the girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend.
The suspect, who had been threatening the girlfriend for some time, killed Jeremy and kidnapped the girlfriend. Thankfully, she managed to escape and call the police. The suspect was arrested a week later and remains in jail without bond, awaiting trial set for January 2025.
Cormier’s fight against gun violence isn’t just about personal healing. As the Texas State Lead of Voices of Black Mothers United, an organization that amplifies the voices of Black mothers affected by gun violence, she is at the forefront of a national movement to tackle this issue head-on. Gun violence disproportionately affects Black communities, and Cormier is committed to ensuring these tragedies are not dismissed or swept aside. She believes that systemic change is necessary to protect future generations from the cycle of violence.
“Too often, when a young Black person is killed, their life is reduced to a statistic, and the community is expected to just move on. But these are our children, our loved ones, and they matter,” Cormier said. “Every child lost to gun violence leaves a family broken and a community grieving. We can’t afford to let this continue.”
She has traveled across Texas and beyond, connecting with community leaders and other mothers who have experienced the same tragedy. Her message is simple but urgent: more needs to be done to prevent gun violence and to provide support for the families left behind.
There’s no way to prepare for the loss of a child. But when it happens, you need a community around you that understands what you’re going through. That’s what I want A Papa’s Hand to be for other mothers—an anchor in their storm
Toni Cormier founder of A Papa’s Hand
One of her key areas of focus is policy reform. Cormier is an outspoken advocate for stronger gun control measures, particularly in states like Texas, where gun laws are notoriously lax. She has worked with other grassroots organizations to push for common-sense regulations that she believes could save lives, including background checks, restrictions on assault weapons, and gun safety education programs.
“We need accountability. There’s a responsibility that comes with owning a gun, and we need to make sure those responsibilities are upheld. Right now, we’re allowing too many loopholes and too much leniency, and it’s costing lives,” she said.
While the legislative fight is critical, Cormier is just as committed to addressing the emotional and psychological toll gun violence takes on families. A Papa’s Hand provides grief counseling and peer support for families who have lost loved ones. She understands that healing is a long process, and she wants to be sure no mother has to go through it alone.
“There’s no way to prepare for the loss of a child. But when it happens, you need a community around you that understands what you’re going through. That’s what I want A Papa’s Hand to be for other mothers—an anchor in their storm,” Cormier said.
Cormier’s advocacy, however, extends beyond just mourning. She wants to help break the cycle of violence by reaching out to young people, particularly in under-resourced Black communities. Her goal is to create programs that offer mentorship, career training, and emotional support to at-risk youth, helping them avoid the streets and envision a brighter future.
“We can’t just keep reacting to these tragedies after they happen. We have to be proactive. We have to invest in our youth and show them that they have options beyond violence,” she said.
Despite the personal pain she carries, Cormier remains hopeful. She is determined to keep fighting—not just for her son’s memory but for every mother, father, and child who deserves a future free from the shadow of gun violence. She is planting the seed, and her voice grows louder as more families rally behind her cause.
“Losing my son was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, but it’s also given me a purpose I never knew I had,” she said. “We have to keep fighting. For our children, for our families, and for our future.”