On December 17, 2020, people around the U.S. were shaken to their core by the tragic kidnapping of Justin Tyler Sawyer. A young man known for his warmth and generosity, Justin was more than just a college student; he was a friend, a mentor, and a beacon of hope for many. For 77 long days, his absence left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who knew him. It wasn't until March 2, 2021, that the painful reality of his fate emerged when his body was discovered burned in a field in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Justin’s life was a testament to the power of kindness. He owned "De La Cruz Inc.," a transportation business that served the needs of his community. However, it wasn’t just his entrepreneurial spirit that defined him; it was his unwavering commitment to helping others. Justin often went out of his way to lend a hand, making every day count by brightening the lives of those around him.
He was murdered at the hands of those he tried to help. In a year marked by rising violence, gun-related deaths reached nearly 20,000 in the U.S., the highest in over two decades, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Justin’s story is not just one of loss; it represents the countless lives impacted by this growing epidemic. His murder reverberated through his family, friends, and the wider community, leaving grief and a call to action.
Yet, even in sorrow, there is purpose. JTyler’s Keeper Organization was born. Its mission is to honor Justin by keeping his name alive and carrying forward the values he embodied. The organization aims to create a world where kindness prevails over violence and where the spirit of helping one another thrives.
JTyler’s Keeper hopes to inspire others to make every day count just as Justin did by sharing his story. Through community initiatives, advocacy, and remembrance, the organization is committed to ensuring that Justin’s impact continues to resonate. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, can create change. In Justin's honor, JTyler’s Keeper encourages everyone to reach out to those in need, to be a source of support and compassion, and to stand against the violence that has taken so many lives.
Justin Tyler Sawyer’s light may have been extinguished far too soon, but his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who loved him. The goal is to celebrate his life, remember his kindness, and commit to making a positive difference in the community. By doing so, Justin's legacy is celebrated, and efforts are underway to build a safer, more compassionate world for all.
In Loving Memory of
Justin Tyler Sawyer
Legislative Collaboration: House Resolution 25 (Tennessee General Assembly)
Lauren partnered with Tennessee State Representative Jason Hodges to draft and advocate for House Resolution 25, a measure passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor the memory of Justin Sawyer of Clarksville. Lauren worked closely with Rep. Hodges’s office to shape the resolution’s language, ensuring it reflected Justin’s life, achievements, and impact on his community. Through this collaboration, Lauren demonstrated the ability to build meaningful relationships within the legislative process, amplify community voices, and translate advocacy into official state recognition.
No More Silence, End Gun Violence
Project Role: Concept & Design
A casket draped in flowers. A mother’s cry that reverberates louder than any headline. Protestors, exhausted yet unrelenting. Police tape slicing through the scene, a stark reminder of tragedy repeating itself. An American flag waves in the background, not in triumph, but as a witness. One nation. Under God. Indivisible. With liberty and justice for all—huh? In the foreground, a lone figure stands with hands raised, holding a gun, a haunting symbol of the cycle of fear and violence.
Every element of this design is intentional, from composition to symbolism. The goal: to transform the abstract reality of gun violence into a visceral, thought-provoking visual narrative that demands reckoning. This isn’t just a graphic; it is a story, a question, and a call to reflect on lives cut short far too soon.
This piece demonstrates Lauren’s ability to combine conceptual storytelling, emotional impact, and visual design in a single, powerful work. It is an example of how she can translate social issues, brand purpose, or cultural moments into memorable, shareable visuals that resonate and provoke thought.
