Shamarr Allen was dozing at home one evening Inst July when he was shocked awake by a TV news item. There had been a 1 among a group of children in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, and a nine-year-old boy named Devante Bryant had been killed. Allen was 2 and heartbroken. He thought of his own nine -year-old son.
3 from the city's rough Lower 9th Ward, Allen is one of the most celebrated jazz trumpeters in the city. After seeing the 4 news that morning, it didn't take long for Allen to 5 a possible solution. He had a few spare 6 lying around. Maybe he could offer them to kids in exchange for their guns.
Allen named the 7 My Trumpet Is My Weapon. He met with the New Orleans mayor to 8 how to make children feel safe coming forward with their guns.
Allen has 9 seven guns so far, a small but symbolically important 10. But he doesn't stop with the 11 of gun for instrument. After the exchanges, Allen connects the children with local 12 who give diem free virtual trumpet lessons.
More importantly, he has brought hope for his city and young people 13 for a better life. "I just say, 'Look, I come from where you come from, and I can show you the 14 that got me out,'" says Allen. "And 15 may not be the way for you, but it will at least open your mind to see what's out there."
