National Black Family Organization Urges Parents to Act After Teen’s Death
Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, one of the oldest Black family organizations in the United States, has issued a public statement honoring the life of 18-year-old Nolan Wells and calling on parents to turn grief into concrete action. The statement, shared on July 9 across the organization’s social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn—was titled “Our Sons Deserve to Grow Old: In loving memory of Nolan Xavier Wells.”
Wells, a college football player, died after a July Fourth trip to Mississippi’s Horn Island. His family continues to seek answers about the circumstances of his death, and the organization’s message reflects a broader concern among parents about child safety.
Statement Emphasizes Protection and Accountability
In its statement, Jack and Jill described Wells as “loved, gifted, and full of promise.” The organization wrote that his passing “calls us to reflect on the sacred responsibility we share to protect our children, strengthen their instincts, and build circles of care rooted in dignity, accountability, and mutual concern.”
The message directly addressed parents, stating: “As Jack and Jill mothers, we carry a sacred charge to nurture, prepare, and protect our children. That begins in honest conversations, in knowing who our children are with, how they are moving, and whether the people around them are truly committed to their safety.”
The statement also included a poignant refrain: “Our sons deserve to grow old. Every Black child deserves to come home. No child should ever be treated as disposable.”
Practical Guidance for Families
Jack and Jill’s call to action included practical reminders for families. The organization urged parents to talk with their children, know their friends, create safety plans, and reinforce the rule that “If we go together, we leave together.”
The organization, founded in 1938 by the late Marion Stubbs Thoman, is a non-profit with more than 50,000 families across the nation. It focuses on helping African American children ages 2 to 19 thrive through educational, cultural, and social enrichment activities.
Background on Nolan Wells’ Death
According to a report from The Root, Wells disappeared during a boating trip with friends to Horn Island on July 4. The friends returned to the mainland without him, prompting his mother, Christine Wonsley, to report him missing. Wells’ body was recovered two days later, on July 6. His family has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his death and has retained civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who has called for a full and transparent investigation.
Public concern surrounding Wells’ death has continued to grow since the incident, and Jack and Jill’s statement taps into a fear shared by many parents while delivering a direct call to action.
